Thursday, 11 June 2020: During the winter
months, when parts of South Africa get very cold, Eskom would like to share
these simple tips to help keep your home warm and cosy. Even in the absence of
loadshedding, every household has a duty to choose a heating option that will help
keep the house warm and cosy without breaking the bank.
So, what is the most energy efficient and
appropriate heating option for your home? Understanding the various
heating options will help you make an informed decision about how best to keep
your house warm whilst still being energy efficient.
“Even though Eskom is confident it can keep the
lights on without implementing loadshedding this winter, adopting the most
efficient heating solutions will make everyone a winner by the end of the
winter, particularly during these tough times where the Covid-19 pandemic has
had the effect of reducing, or eroding incomes because of the lockdown,” said
Sikonathi Mantshansha, Eskom spokesperson.
First and foremost
- Insulation is the single most important factor when it comes to heating a home. An insulated room requires 51% less energy than an uninsulated room. Insulating your home’s ceiling is the simplest and most effective way to prevent the warm air generated by the heaters from escaping
- Only heat the rooms that you and your family are going to spend time in.
- Close exterior windows to contain energy and inter-leading
doors to rooms not needing heating.
Underfloor heating
According to energy experts, underfloor
heating is the most ineffective way to heat your home. In homes without roof
insulation, underfloor heating will lose the battle against the cold.
Wall-mounted heaters
Most wall-mounted heaters
are low in heating capacity and for them to heat up a room to a comfortable
temperature requires them to be left on for a long time.
Gas vs electric heaters
Then there’s the battle of the heaters,
whilst many people use gas heaters, they aren’t necessarily more effective than
electrical heaters. Given the cost parity of bottled gas versus electricity,
and the frequency at which one has to replace the gas bottles, electric heating
is more convenient and controllable. The one advantage of gas heaters is
that they have the ability to give off heat at higher heating capacity rates
and can warm a room almost immediately but remember you pay for the rate at
which heating energy is produced. Should you only have an electric
heater, then ensure that you insulate the room by closing windows, blocking all
possible draughts coming through and once the room is warm, switch it off and
use only what you need.
Oil heaters
When looking at options to
heat your home this winter, one of the options to consider is an oil heater
equipped with a thermostat. Oil heaters are most effective in contained
spaces such as a single room. Open-plan living areas are simply too big
for an oil heater to make a real impact.
Fan heaters
A typical fan heater is another option
to consider. Fan heaters provide heat and comfort immediately and they
can be directed to where the hot air is most needed.
Air-conditioner
An air conditioner with a heating cycle
can be very effective and cost efficient. Typically, an air conditioner
would use about half the power of an electric heater.
Wood-fired heating
Of course, of all these heating options, none
beats the old fashioned fire place, fuelled by wood. Over time wood always
works out to be the cheapest heating option when covering the biggest spaces.
Consider your needs, your room, your budget and
your energy costs when deciding how to heat up your home. The right choice will
mean you’re warm and cosy and safe - without blowing your budget.
Remember to keep an eye out and respond to the
real-time Power Alert messages on SABC, e.tv and DStv to help manage the strain
of the electricity system. Together we can make a difference and keep the
lights on.
ENDS