Power-hungry appliances and tips to reduce consumption
It’s no surprise that electricity is a constant struggle. Whether dealing with daily blackouts or hikes in energy tariffs, we are all aware of the constant need to save energy and reduce our consumption. If you are using solar or a UPS to mitigate against the impacts of load shedding, you’ll be well aware of the need to ensure no unnecessary electricity wastage.
In this blog post, we will be taking a look at some of the most energy-intensive appliances in the average South African household and providing tips on how to reduce the energy consumption of each.
How to calculate how much electricity your appliances use
There are a few ways to calculate how much electricity your appliances use. Here are a few methods:
- Use a Kill-A-Watt Metre: A Kill-A-Watt metre is a device that you can plug into an outlet and then plug your appliance into the metre. The metre will measure the amount of electricity that the appliance uses and display it in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This method will give you a precise reading of how much electricity your appliance is using.
- Estimate using the Wattage: Many appliances have a label on them that states the appliance's wattage. To calculate the energy consumption, you need to multiply the wattage by the number of hours the appliance is used per day. Then multiply that number by the number of days per month. For example, a 100-watt appliance used for 4 hours per day for 30 days will consume (100 x 4 x 30) = 12,000 watt-hours or 12 kWh.
- Take a look at your electricity bill: By reviewing your electricity bill each month, you can see how much electricity you've used over a given period and identify patterns and high usage periods.
Appliances that use the most electricity in South African households
1. Air Conditioner
Air conditioners can consume a lot of energy, especially during the hot summer months. Depending on how often you use your air conditioner, it can consume between 1000 to 2000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, making it one of the highest energy-consuming appliances in a household.
Energy saving tips:
- Keep the air filter clean: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause the air conditioner to work harder. Regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter can improve the efficiency of your air conditioner.
- Close doors and windows: When the air conditioner is running, make sure all doors and windows are closed to keep the cool air inside and prevent hot air from entering.
- Set the right temperature: Setting the temperature too low can cause the air conditioner to run for longer periods of time. Try to set the temperature to a cool and moderate temperature.
2. Geyser
A geyser is one of the largest electricity consumers in the average South African household, consuming between 500 to 1500 kilowatt-hours per year. While taking cold showers is one of the latest health trends, it’s hard to warm up to the idea of an icy shower first thing in the morning during winter. Fortunately, there are many energy-efficient alternatives such as low-pressure or solar-powered geysers. You can also try these tips.
- Lower the thermostat temperature: The temperature of the water in a geyser can be adjusted by the thermostat. Lowering the temperature by just a few degrees can make a big difference to your monthly usage.
- Use a timer: Use a timer to control when your geyser turns on and off so that it only heats water when you need it.
- Upgrade to a more efficient geyser: If your geyser is old and inefficient, consider upgrading to a newer model with a better energy rating.
3. Refrigerator
The amount of electricity a refrigerator consumes in an average South African household can vary depending on the size and efficiency of the refrigerator, as well as how often the door is opened and closed. However, on average, a refrigerator can consume between 150 to 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.
Energy saving tips:
- Keep your refrigerator full: A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one because it maintains a more consistent temperature.
- Keep it clean: Dust and dirt on the coils and condenser can make your refrigerator work harder, consuming more energy. Regularly cleaning these parts will improve the efficiency of your refrigerator.
- Proper thermostat setting: Make sure your refrigerator is set to the right temperature, typically between 3-5 degrees Celsius for the main compartment, and between 0-2 degrees Celsius for the freezer.
4. Lights
At night, we rely on lights for almost everything, from cooking and cleaning to reading our favourite novels. As a result, multiple lights are sometimes on for hours a day. On average, lights consume between 50 to 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Fortunately, energy-saving light bulbs now mean that we can reduce this number and still keep our lights on!
Energy saving tips:
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs: LED and CFL bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Turn off lights when not in use: One of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption is to make a habit of turning off lights when you leave a room or when they are not needed.
- Invest in dimmers or motion sensors: Dimmers and motion sensors can help you control the amount of light you need.
By being mindful of the appliances that use the most energy in your home and taking steps to reduce their energy consumption, you can make a significant impact on your energy bills and do your part for the planet. Storing unnecessary appliances and furniture in self storage is also a fantastic way to reduce wasted space in your home.
Stor-Age has modern self storage facilities across South Africa that offer a secure second home for your belongings. With a wide variety of storage units and flexible leases, you can store all your household, business, or holiday items for as long as you need.
To learn more about our services, give us a call on 0861 18 18 18 or request a quick and easy online quote!