5 Ways to Cut Energy Costs and Save Money
With the country plunged into energy crisis mode, and the month of May being set aside as National Energy Month, here is an article looking at 5 energy-saving tips to help people live more sustainably.
26/04/2023
velux skylights
With May being celebrated as National
Energy Month in South Africa, there are many
ways in which we can cut down on energy guzzlers
in our homes and lives.
Here are five
practical ways to save money and energy, and
live more sustainably:
Cut down on food waste
One of the biggest contributors to food waste
is overbuying. It has long been said that
shopping on a hungry tummy increases the chances
of adding unnecessary items to the trolley.
“Simple tips to counteract this include writing
out what the next week’s menu might include for
breakfast, lunch and dinner,” says Head Chef at
Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Norman Heath.
When you already have an idea of what you
might eat, you’re more likely to stick to it.
“Select an evening each week to plan your menu
for the following week and use this to create a
grocery list. This menu planning will also help
to curb ordering takeaways when food is already
in the fridge waiting to be prepared. Aim to use
dinner leftovers for lunch the next day and use
this food method to become a food hero in no
time,” he ends.
Opt for slow fashion
Instead of buying a lot of throwaway
jewellery, rather buy environmentally friendly
jewellery that will also allow you to support a
variety of charitable causes to help support
those in need of help. Slow fashion is more
environmentally sustainable than mass produced
fashion.
Brand consultant at Relate
Bracelets, Dalit Shekel says, “The manufacturing
process is important and as the consumer, you
either empower slow or mass produced fashion
with each purchase. Where we can, we use
environmentally sustainable material, and all
our beads are made from glass and not plastic.
Equally as important, by getting yourself any of
these bracelets you’d be supporting seniors in
the township that make the bracelets, as well as
variety of causes including wildlife
conservation, quality education in areas where
there is a need, supporting better quality
healthcare causes and availing clean water to
communities without drinkable water, for
instance.”
Create an energy-savvy home
velux skylights
Living more sustainably has become increasingly important as we navigate a world where the effects of climate change, and energy insecurity, are becoming more apparent. Carl Coetzee, CEO of BetterBond, suggests a few ways in which you could create an energy-savvy home.
Reduce heating and cooling costs through insulation. There are various ways of improving insulation, including the fairly simple measures like insulating ceilings, double glazing windows and retractable shutters, he advises.
“Choosing more sustainable lighting options
could also cut your energy consumption and
reduce your electricity bills considerably. LED
bulbs use about 75% less energy than
incandescent light bulbs and last much longer.
You could also consider installing skylights
that let in natural light and reduce the need
for other light sources during daylight hours,”
he says.
Smart tech could help your home
function more efficiently. Tools like smartphone
apps that let you control plugs, lightbulbs and
geyser thermostats remotely, can help you
maximise energy efficiency, lower consumption
and cut costs. Leak sensors are a great way to
be water smart – put them in place like your
geyser drip tray, under basins and washing
machines, behind toilets and next to pool pumps,
to detect water leaks as soon as they occur.
Drive smartly
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With the price of fuel on the rise, adjusting
your driving habits is a smart cost-saving
switch to make. According to Keletso Mpisane,
Head of MiWay Blink, planning your daily driving
can help to cut down on monthly fuel costs. “On
weekends, for example, many of us pop out to the
shops, then again to run an errand, go to gym,
and then to see friends or family. Try
coordinating as many of these trips into one to
minimise the amount of fuel you use,” she
advises.
“You can also drive more
sustainably and save money by lightening the
load in your car at all times, minimising
driving time by travelling either late or early
to avoid peak traffic, using the air conditioner
and car heater only when necessary, reducing
your idling time, using the recommended grade of
oil for your car, and changing gears according
to your driving speed.”
Generate your own electricity
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Every time you use grid-supplied electricity,
you are actually emitting extremely harmful coal
waste into the environment as a result of coal
emissions. The emissions from coal power plants
continue to worsen with time. So, five years
ago, there was a certain level of waste being
pushed into the environment from coal-based
power stations. That has since doubled in terms
of the emission waste that's being pumped into
the atmosphere.
According to Matthew
Cruise, Head of Business Intelligence, Hohm
Energy, implementing energy saving behaviours,
such as installing a geyser timer, or doing
whatever else to lower your overall electricity
usage, is strongly suggested. “Both financially
and in terms of sustainability and waste
reduction, because as time passes, your
electricity usage will generate more and more
waste and emissions into the environment,
hastening global warming. A geyser timer, for
example, will help you save money by lowering
your electricity cost,” he says.
“Smart equipment, such as
refrigerators and microwaves that consume less
energy, are other practical ways to incorporate
into your house. However, the most effective way
of minimising electricity consumption is to
generate your own electricity,” says Cruise.
Ultimately, you want to get to the point
where you’re taking care of around 80% of your
household’s energy needs with solar power.
That’s the sweet-spot for reaping the maximum
financial benefits without major interruptions
from load shedding. In doing so, you’ll also be
reducing your own carbon footprint and the
emissions that go into the atmosphere.