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Electricity Saving Tips

Light Bulbs

  • Replace conventional lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible. They give off the same amount of light as a 60 watt bulb while using only a fifth of the power and they last 10 times longer.
  • Always switch off lights when you leave a room.

Refrigerators and freezers

  • Do not overload your refrigerator or freezer! It uses a lot more power.
  • Do not set the freezing temperature lower than is necessary.
  • Defrost your freezer at least twice a year.
  • Let hot foods cool to room temperature before refrigeration.
  • Empty these appliances and turn them off at the wall socket when you on an extended holiday.

Microwave ovens

  • Use microwave oven to cook small to medium sized portions. For larger portions, use an oven.
  • Wrap foods in plastic to hold in steam. This will speed up the cooking process.

Washing Machines

  • Front loaders use less power than top loaders.
  • Use warm and cold water settings.
  • Save dirty clothes until a full load has accumulated before turning on your washing machine.

Geysers

  • Did you know your geyser accounts for over 40% of your overall electricity consumption?
  • Ensure that your thermostat is set to no more than 55° Celsius.
  • Wrapping your geyser in an insulating blanket can cut power consumption by half.

Steam / Dry Iron

  • Organise your ironing so that you iron low temperatures fabrics first, ending off with high temperature items.
  • Iron large batches at a time.
  • Use only distilled water in steam irons. This will assist in the iron working more effectively and prevent the steam vents from clogging up.
  • Switch off before finishing your batch and complete your ironing using the stored energy in the iron.

Air Conditioner

  • Clean and inspect filters regularly.
  • Set your air conditioner to re-circulate already cooled air in the room instead of continuously drawing in warm air from outside.
  • Protect outdoor cooling units from the sun.

Electric Stove

  • Use cooking utensils with flat bottoms and tight covers.
  • Keep oven doors closed until food is cooked.
  • Do not use grill compartment to make toast. Electric toasters use far less energy and work much quicker.  
  • Plate reflectors must always be kept clean.
  • Never use you stove or oven to heat the kitchen.

TV / DVD / Stereo

  • The standby button on all your electronic equipment consumes enormous amounts of energy.
  • Switch these appliances off at the wall socket.

Computer / Fax / Printer

  • Never leave your computer, fax or printer on overnight.
  • Set the screensaver on your computer to come on after five minutes of non-use.

Kettle

  • Only boil as much water as you need.
  • Keep your kettle's element clean of chlorine build up by covering it with vinegar and boiling the kettle until all the build up is removed.

Cell Phone

  • Only recharge your cell phone’s battery when it is completely drained.
  • Never leave your cell phone charging overnight.
  • When your cell phone is finished charging, unplug the charger from the wall socket.

 

Water Saving Tips

  • Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily and use toilet paper as much as possible.
  • Plant water-wise indigenous plants in your garden.
  • Water gardens only in the early morning or in the evening and only when necessary.
  • Install garden drip irrigation on flower beds and sprayers on lawns.
  • Collect rainwater to use on your garden or for washing your car.
  • Use a broom to cleaning driveways or patios instead of a hosepipe.
  • Insulate hot water pipes so that not too much water is wasted when waiting for water to get hot once you’ve opened your hot water taps.
  • Cover your swimming pool to reduce water evaporation.
  • Stop the leakage of water from taps. Up to 30 litres of water can be wasted over a 24 hour period by a slow dripping tap.
  • Use the minimum amount of water needed when bathing.
  • Don’t waste dirty water. It can be used to water your plants.
  • Wash vegetables and fruits in a bowl instead of washing them under a running tap.
  • Don’t leave the tap open while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Wash clothes only when there is a full load.
  • Consider using a car duster to remove dust instead of pressure hose.
  • Avoid installing fountains and other ornamental water features in your garden.
  • Use a broom instead of sprinklers to clean your sidewalks and streets.
  • Use the drip irrigation method for irrigation purposes.
  • Teach your children to close taps tightly after each use.
  • One leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres of water a month.
  • The tastiest and most water efficient methods for cooking vegetables is steaming or using a pressure cooker. You can also cut down on water loss by using tight fitting lids on pots and to simmer food instead of rapid boiling.
  • Put the plug in the sink when washing your hands instead of holding them under running water.
  • Keep a container of water in the fridge so that you won’t need to let tap water run until it’s cool enough to drink.
  • Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.

A bath uses an average of 160 litres of water; a five-minute shower uses 60 litres. Shower rather than bathing, but if you have to bath, run a smaller bath or share your bath water.

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