CUT YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL
1) If you are going to buy new
appliances this year, choose eco-
friendly ones. They tend to be more
expensive, but they will save you
money in the long run. Look out for
the guarantees though, to make sure
the appliances will survive long
enough to get your money's worth.
2) As an alternative to energy-
guzzling appliances do this: only
heat up rooms you are using, warm
up with more clothes and blankets
instead of electric heaters, wash your
clothes in cold instead of hot water
and use a clothes line or a laundry
rack instead of a tumble dryer. If you
have an electric hob and oven
consider buying an alternative gas
hob to use for things that take long
to cook, and use a microwave oven
instead of the electric one.
3) If your fridge was built more than
eight years ago, the chances are that
a substantial part of your electricity
bill is being spent on its inefficiency.
Changing it now, while the running
cost is increasing, will be an
investment worth making. If you don't
think it's worth replacing just yet,
check the condition of the door's seal
and replace it if it is damaged.
4) If you use air-conditioning, try
installing ceiling fans instead. They
are incredibly more efficient, even
when compared to standing fans. And
if you must switch on your AC, make
sure the doors and windows are
closed, switch on the timer, and set
the temperature at a steady
comfortable level. Also note that if
you want to heat a room, air-
conditioning is more efficient that
electric heating, but gas heaters are a
better idea.
5) If you have not done so yet, make
the switch to energy-saving light
bulbs. No need to wait for the
government to give out the free bulbs
it promised - those can be made use
of later. Traditional bulbs use up
more electricity on producing heat
than giving off light - they are just
not worth having anymore. Also,
switch off lights and appliances
whenever you do not need them on.
The impression that switching on and
off electrical appliances and light
bulbs means more consumption than
leaving them on is a myth.
6) You cannot save much from
computers, but simple things can
make a difference. Keep your
computer on sleep instead of on
screensaver. And if you still use the
old CRT (curved) screens, replace
them with newer LCD flat-screens.
The latter are far more efficient.
7) Buy a timer for your water heater
(geyser) so that it only switches on
an hour before you actually need the
hot water. They do not cost much,
but if you are ready to time your
shower schedule accordingly, you
can make big savings. Also, set the
temperature to around 55 degrees
Celsius, not more. You can also
choose to replace your electric with a
more efficient gas water heater or
better still a solar water heater. When
offset against the recurring cost of
the new bills, the money spent on
replacing your old electric unit can be
recouped in a short span of time.
8) Be bathroom-efficient. Install a
water-efficient showerhead, and
shorten your showers by a couple of
minutes. If you have baths, try use a
little less water each time. When
shaving, switch off the tap, and try
washing your face and brushing your
teeth in the shower.
9) Save water by running your
dishwasher and washing machine
only when they are full.
10) Collect the water you use for
washing vegetables and fruit and use
them to water the plants.
1) If you are going to buy new
appliances this year, choose eco-
friendly ones. They tend to be more
expensive, but they will save you
money in the long run. Look out for
the guarantees though, to make sure
the appliances will survive long
enough to get your money's worth.
2) As an alternative to energy-
guzzling appliances do this: only
heat up rooms you are using, warm
up with more clothes and blankets
instead of electric heaters, wash your
clothes in cold instead of hot water
and use a clothes line or a laundry
rack instead of a tumble dryer. If you
have an electric hob and oven
consider buying an alternative gas
hob to use for things that take long
to cook, and use a microwave oven
instead of the electric one.
3) If your fridge was built more than
eight years ago, the chances are that
a substantial part of your electricity
bill is being spent on its inefficiency.
Changing it now, while the running
cost is increasing, will be an
investment worth making. If you don't
think it's worth replacing just yet,
check the condition of the door's seal
and replace it if it is damaged.
4) If you use air-conditioning, try
installing ceiling fans instead. They
are incredibly more efficient, even
when compared to standing fans. And
if you must switch on your AC, make
sure the doors and windows are
closed, switch on the timer, and set
the temperature at a steady
comfortable level. Also note that if
you want to heat a room, air-
conditioning is more efficient that
electric heating, but gas heaters are a
better idea.
5) If you have not done so yet, make
the switch to energy-saving light
bulbs. No need to wait for the
government to give out the free bulbs
it promised - those can be made use
of later. Traditional bulbs use up
more electricity on producing heat
than giving off light - they are just
not worth having anymore. Also,
switch off lights and appliances
whenever you do not need them on.
The impression that switching on and
off electrical appliances and light
bulbs means more consumption than
leaving them on is a myth.
6) You cannot save much from
computers, but simple things can
make a difference. Keep your
computer on sleep instead of on
screensaver. And if you still use the
old CRT (curved) screens, replace
them with newer LCD flat-screens.
The latter are far more efficient.
7) Buy a timer for your water heater
(geyser) so that it only switches on
an hour before you actually need the
hot water. They do not cost much,
but if you are ready to time your
shower schedule accordingly, you
can make big savings. Also, set the
temperature to around 55 degrees
Celsius, not more. You can also
choose to replace your electric with a
more efficient gas water heater or
better still a solar water heater. When
offset against the recurring cost of
the new bills, the money spent on
replacing your old electric unit can be
recouped in a short span of time.
8) Be bathroom-efficient. Install a
water-efficient showerhead, and
shorten your showers by a couple of
minutes. If you have baths, try use a
little less water each time. When
shaving, switch off the tap, and try
washing your face and brushing your
teeth in the shower.
9) Save water by running your
dishwasher and washing machine
only when they are full.
10) Collect the water you use for
washing vegetables and fruit and use
them to water the plants.