Thursday,
18 June 2020: Winter is here and the need to stay warm is the
focus for everyone at this time. Make sure you keep
your home and yourself warm without breaking the bank.
Given
the current economic environment, we want to assist you with being electricity
smart as well as financially savvy by using only what you need, when you need
it, and in so doing you’ll contribute to ensuring there’s always enough
electricity to cook for your family and power your home.
Here
are some of the tips that will help you save, and put a freeze on your
electricity bill this winter season while keeping warm:
·
Prepare your
kitchen - As the seasons change,
so should the contents of your cupboards. Winter is the perfect time to embrace
warm, yummy, and nourishing foods to help fight off the bitter chill. Also,
start stockpiling winter’s bounty, like squash, pumpkin, and potatoes. This is
a great time to dust off your recipe books and pull out those casserole and
pressure cooker recipes! Our mouths are watering just thinking about the
amazing smells that will be wafting through the house all winter long.
·
Winter feasts – try
using energy-efficient appliances when cooking. If you’re surprising your
family with a bountiful winter feast such as stew or oxtail, slow cookers are
the best option, while microwaves are best for preparing your favourite
small-volume winter meals. Alternatively, you can install an induction stove
which is compatible with stainless steel, cast iron and enamel cookware.
·
A warm cuppa –
Warm your insides with a cup of delicious hot chocolate or a steaming cup of
coffee. When preparing your cup of warm happiness, boil only enough water
for the number of cups of hot drinks you are making and use only the
electricity you need
·
Keeping warm –
Heating your house costs money. Why not keep yourself warm, it’s more efficient
than heating a space/room. So, some of our tips for heating yourself are
to dress warmly - wear a beanie and gloves and wrap
yourself in a blanket, put a hot water bottle on your lap when you watch
television. You’ll not only stay warm and happy but save some
money in the process.
·
Taking off the chill – As soon as our homes get chilly, the kneejerk reaction
is to run to the heater and crank up the heat. While our bodies are instantly
grateful for our natural impulses, our wallets will start to feel the pain not
long after. Use your heater to heat only the room you are in and
remember to close all the doors and windows while the electric heater is on.
Remember
to keep an eye out and respond to the real-time Power Alert messages on SABC,
etv and DStv to help manage the strain on the electricity system.
Together we can make a difference and keep the lights on.
ENDS