Ek is een van die baie mense wat ook graag wil krag bespaar vir die toekoms van ons land.

Ek is ook trots om te se dat ons vier (plus ‘n baba) in die huis is en ek het ons krag rekening met amper die helfte gesny.
Op 08/01/2008 was dit R1 694.50
Op 15/03/2008 was dit R1 203.00
Op 20/04/2008 is dit R890.00

Ek het al die onnodige skakelaars afgesit: Mikrogolf, Radio, Komper en enige iets was in ‘n muurprop is en wat nie gbruik word nie. My wasgoed word saans na nege uur in my outomatiese wasmasjien op die koue water program gewas.Die ketel word slegs eenkeer vroegaand volgemaak en gekook. Sodra ons ‘n warm bottle nodig het vir die baba word die ketel net vir 20sekondes aangeskakel en die water is net reg.

Dis net basiese dinge wat meer “gestreamline” is en dit werk!

Cornelia van Emmenis, Brakpan

Hallo julle almal,
Ek het ook ‘n paar wenke om krag te spaar.

• Eerstens maak ek vroeg kos sodat ek nie onnodig ligte gebruik nie en as ek begin om kos te maak, maak ek dit om klaar te kry.
• Tweedens gebruik ek nie ligte in die aand nie ek gebruik die lig van die Tv en in die ander vertrekke die straatligte.
• Derdens is ons geyser is op die laagste tempartuur gestel.
• Vierdens het ons ons die sekuriteitlig afgesit.
• Vyfdens kook ons ook die ketel net een keer, maak dan koffie in ’n fles en gebruik dit vir die dag.
• Sesdens ek hang ook my klere op die draad en gebruik nie ’n tuimeldroër nie.
• Sewende gebruik net my haardroër nadat ek buite gestaan het om my hare reeds droog te maak en ook net om dit vinnig te style.
• Agste gebruik geen verwarmer nie... ek sit eerder onder ’n kombers as dit koud is.

Hettie Coetzee, Polokwane

My swimming pool pump was set to run for 12 hours a day. I changed the timer to run the motor for 10 hours, thereby saving 1,5 kilowatts every day (this is based on a ,75 kw motor). The pool is just as clean as it always was, but I save 45 kilowatts a month. If we consider how many pools there are in South Africa (as a guestimate I would say in excess of 200000 ?), our country could save at least 9 megawatts per month if everyone reduced the running time of their pool pumps by two hours per day. This obviously assumes that most pool pumps run for longer than really needed.

Robert de Jongh, Durban

If the creased and crumpled look became a fashion trend we’d save on ironing. Some stores have introduced fabrics that are designed to need only rolling and scrunching. The stylishly crumpled look should replace the fetish for ironing things. However this is not to be mistaken for a call for the return of the dreadful synthetic drip dry!

Guest houses could display a notice indicating that their un-ironed bed linen is in the interests of energy saving. Perhaps soon there would be a solar powered iron on the market for those of us that do love newly ironed sheets.

Marlize Meyer, Nelspruit

Don’t use electric blankets!
Use hot water bottle and dogs!

Irene Thain, Parktown North

We just went over to prepaid electricity, we use 30 - 50 units a day and
now pay less. We also do switch off lights in the house were nobody is
in the room. We also did switch to powersafe globes.

Irene Myburgh, Queenswood Pretoria

When I do my washing I start with the light colours first, but I don’t spin the washing and leave the soapy water in for the next bundle of darker colours, then the towels and lastly the colour fast denims and dark pants. After that I go through the same process with the rinsing water. But I have attached a pipe to my drainage system running from the washing machine to my back garden. So instead of using extra water to water the garden I use my washing water, it saves on water which in turn saves energy and my plants are also insect free at this stage because of the soapy water.

Marlise Cronje, Waterkloof Glen

I have a reminder on my cell phone every day in the morning before I leave home for work and in the evening before getting into bed to switch off my geyser. That way I don't forget to do so.

Madeline Meyer, Wilropark, Jhb

Ek probeer hard om elke oggend te onthou om die 'geyser' af te skakel. Ons brand net een lig in die huis in die aand, braai vleis en eet slaai en trek die proppe van toestelle wat nie werk nie uit.

Melanie Breek, Montana

Wat ons altyd gedoen het toe ons nog baie gaan kamp het om ons water warm te maak vir stort of bad was om 'n 5 liter doos wyn se sak te vat as die wyn klaar is, uit te spoel, vol water te maak en in die son te sit.

As jy so 3 of 4 van daardie sakke in die son sit vir 'n paar uur, het jy genoeg warm water om te bad en skottelgoed te was, jy kry ook daardie tipe sakke te koop by die kampeerplekke wat jy vol maak en in die son sit, en glo maar vir my, op n warm sonskyn dag word daardie water baie warm, sodoende kan die waterverwarmer langer ure af bly.

Chris Kruger, Middelburg

I bought a timer with a backup function for my geyser and I have set it up to only run for 3 hours a day in the summer and 5 in the winter. We are family of 4 and we always have enough hot water to support our family. We wash all our clothes in cold water and we dry them in the sun. I installed a washing line in my garage for the rainy days. Although we do have a tumble dryer we only use it when there is no more space on the washing lines.

We replaced all the light bulb with new 5w energy savers that gives the same light as a 40w globe. My electricity bill is currently around R150 per month. If I can only find a way to save on petrol without having to drive a bicycle it would be great.

The Van Zyl family, Dorandia

I replaced all my old globes (inside & outside) with new energy saving types long before the electricity crisis began. I am currently saving ±45% on power usage without switching the geyser off. This was due to the fact that I use a minimal amount of hot water. I have recently discovered that the load shedding that occurred before the Easter weekend had increased my monthly power usage by an extra 20 kilowatts. I read the meter myself in the morning once a month. All the washing of clothes that I have being doing alone for the last 21 years was done in cold water irrespective of climate.

Now can anybody beat this?

Freddy van Wijk, Rooihuiskraal

I have experimented and discovered that if I switch off my fridge the whole night (12 hours) there is no difference to the frozen foods in the freezer section of the fridge the next morning. The stuff in the fridge section is slightly warmer but still cool enough to preserve it.

I now make it a habit to turn off the fridge at night and turn it back on in the morning. The reason why I turn it off at night is it's cooler (cold in winter) and this helps the fridge lose less heat. This saves electricity for sure.

Dion Dunn, Tugela Mouth, KZN

Alwyna Holtzhausen, Moreletapark

Perm your hair and wear it 'wash and wear' - saves using a hairdryer!

Glynis Fellows, Pretoria

1. Shower together--you can wash each other, and the time it takes for 2 people to shower is just a bit more than if one person showered himself.
2. Cook extra & pack into microwave ready meals so we don't have to cook every day.
3. Eat more fresh fruits & raw veggies & salads
4. Do laundry at night when I go to bed, and the electricity demand is down into the green (doesn't save electricity, but uses it most wisely.
5. Dry laundry from the night before on the line or drying rack all day

Dean Jones from America, but currently staying in Pretoria, in Rietfontein

I have been listening to all the ways in which people are saving energy and would like to share my bit in the struggle against load shedding.

My husband and I purchased paraffin lamps as well as gas lamps. At night, we only use these lamps. This saves energy and also creates a homely romantic atmosphere in the house.

We have compromised 7de Laan and other of our favorite soapies and tv series and utilize this time to spend more time with our 7 year old daughter. Not only are we having more fun with the good old "Snakes and Ladders" game and maths and spelling games, but my daughter's maths and spelling drastically improved.

We try to cook as much food on our gas braai, therefore saving even more energy!!! We pretend to be on the farm and tell our child about how farmers used to get along without electricity, thus educating her on this as well. She has learnt to appreciate electricity and the comforts it bring and not to take it for granted.

Jo-Anne van der Merwe, Rietfontein

I worked for Anglo PPL in Mokopane and maintaining the 38 houses was my responsibility. We got a quote from a plumber to install geyser blankets to all the geysers of the Company Houses. That prevents the geysers from cooling down so fast, especially during the coming winter months.

Lorraine van Rooyen, Mokopane

In this time of power cuts and load shedding, we must all do our bit to save energy. I have a suggestion. You can prepare almost any food this way provided you have enough aluminium foil. There is a lot of heat available while you are driving so why not put it to good use.

Directions:
* Select what you want to cook.
* Carefully wrap in aluminium foil.
* Place on engine manifold.
* Tie down with wire or something if neccessary to prevent it from falling off.
* Drive for about forty or fifty kilometres.
* Remove food from foil and enjoy.

Enjoy your cooking!

Tinie Brink, Hendrina

The suggestion I have may not go down well with many in the work place. What we have done in our office open all windows that we can and switched of the Air Conditioners. In general people do not have Air Cons at home as they are expensive to run, so why abuse them in the work place.

Steve Brien, Randburg

For cooking I have found my gas appliances to be very efficient.

Many people are looking at high power UPS systems to keep some lights, TV and PC running. This system has the following disadvantages:

1. You are still using Eskom power to charge your batteries.

2. Between your batteries, charger and invertor you have an 80% efficiency and therefore a 20% loss. This implies that you are actually using 20% more power to drive you equipment than under normal conditions.

I am looking at a solar electric system to provide me with this backup and will let you know price wise how it compares with standard UPS systems.

Pieter Goosen, Centurion

During the day, in the peak electricity usage time, most businesses have hundreds of lights burning.

While industry is reeling under too little power to run the mines etc..

Shops, government buildings, malls, hardwares, parking garages, could take out one of the 2 globes of a double flouresent light fitting. Rather less light to see in the day with, than building projects been stopped and our economy reeling.

Kevin O’Reilly, Irene, Centurion

It's important to remember that Plasma TV's and LCD TV's have a heater type element for optimal performance. Even if it is in "stand-by" it will still consume electricity for the heater element. Switch "off" your LCD or Plasma at the rear of the unit before you go to bed to save.

Andrew Diedricks, Midrand

I had an ingenious device installed that monitors the geyser. It works on a timer which turns the geyser on only 4 times a day. I had family over last weekend and there was always enough hot water. A small keypad in the bathroom shows the temperature of the geyser and it can even detect leaking pipes or other problems with your geyser. Can't wait to see how much less power I used this month.

Nadia du Plessis, Pretoria

Ek het my tweede waterverwarmingstoestel uitgesny en gebruik nou net die groter een van die twee om die huis van warm water te voorsien.

So mense moet kyk of hul werklik twee of drie verwarmings toestelle benodig vir die grootte van die gesin.

Die tweede verwarmingstoestel kan ten enige tyd aangeskakel word en water oopgemaak word om ekstra warm water te bekom sou ons besoekers kry wat oorbly.

Cassie Kruger, Karenpark, Pretoria

I have used a gas stove for years & it has been incredibly convenient on numerous occasions that we have been stuck without electricity. It saves a huge amount of electricity & is very cost effective. I have a large gas bottle which lasts about 6 months and the savings on your monthly electricity bills add up to a large amount.

Lianne Albers, Pretoria

What about installing a dimmer and reducing the load from 100% to 50% and save at least 40% electricity as well as extend the lamp life by 7?

My vast experience with the consumer market taught me that the general public, including a number of electricians, does not realise that dimming your lights will save energy (eg. dimming to 50% light intensity will save 40% energy!) This is not a characteristic of any particular dimmer, but applies to ALL dimmers and there are significant documentation available on the web, as well as empirical measurement to substantiate this “claim” (simply ask Eskom's technical department!)

Dr. Marthinus Smit

Remove your cellphone charger from the wall socket or make sure the wall socket is switched off after recharging your cellphone. As a matter of fact remove any appliance which has a built-in power supply. Even if that appliance is in "stand-by" mode, it is still using electricity. You'll save stax.

Andrew Diedericks, Midrand

I work from home, so I use a variation on the tip I have heard a couple of times on your station about just having enough water in the kettle for the cup of coffee you want to make. When I make my coffee in the morning, I fill the kettle, and after boiling I fill a flask and use that water each time I make a cup of coffee

The flask normally lasts till about 12 o' clock (I start working at 05H30).

Chris Borruso, Claremont, Pretoria

As daar 'n kandelaar in jou huis hang wat 3-6 gloeilampe vat vir een vertrek, sit net 2 energie ligte in, dit gee oor as genoeg lig. Jy hoef nie al die gloeilampe in te sit om die kandelaar net mooi te laat lyk en 6 keer meer krag te laat gebruik nie. Maak so met al die kandelare, in die eetkamer gebruik net 1, die energie besparingsgloeilampe se lig is baie sterk.

Moenie te veel warm water in die bad tap as die kinders bad nie, so bespaar jy die krag verbruik op die geyser. Laat 2 kinders sommer saam bad as jy 2 klein seuns of dogters het, dit bespaar krag en water.

Gebruik 'n SLOW COOKER as jy kerrie of stews maak, dit gebruik minder krag as 'n stoofplaat en gebruik jou braaipan as jy eiers of bacon wil gaarmaak, dit gebruik ook minder krag as 'n stoofplaat en jou braai area vir die eiers en bacon is groter as 'n pan s’n.

As jy 'n tuimeldroeer MOET gebruik, hang die groot klere op hangers op , buite op die draad om droog te word,(Dit krekel ook nie sommer dan nie) maak net die onderklere en necessities wat jy nie kan ophang nie droog in die tuimeldroer soos kouse, en onderklere (Dit is nou vir die mense wat gerieflik is en nie wasgoed ophang nie al het hulle 'n plek buite om die klere op te hang).

As jy buite in jou tuin, tuin lampe het, koop van die SOLAR energy tuin lampies, hulle is nie duur nie en vat nie elektrisiteit om te werk nie, hulle werk met sonkrag. Dit lyk baie netjies en ook baie romanties.

Helena Weppenaar, Theresapark, Pta Noord

A friend of mine mentioned the other day that we should get all the menopausal ladies together - I am sure their hot flushes could light up a neighbourhood. I know mine could!

Now for the serious - during the power outages we experienced I came to enjoy reading by candle light. I never get the chance to read when the power is on, food to make, washing to do, e-mails to send, work to do on the computer, etc. All of that comes to a halt when there is no power and I came to enjoy the peace and quiet that enforced on me. Candle light dinners with no TV blaring in the background was a treat and I actually had more time with my husband and children.

So I plan to keep up the romantic atmosphere created in my home by using candles in stead of lights (not all the time but when possible).

Trudi Joynt, Constantiapark, Pretoria

When washing your hands, use the cold water tap, as everytime you use the warm water tap, you drain water from the geyser, which has to be replased and boiled.

Marion Oelofse, Rustenburg

Instead of switching a kitchen light on (although my flat ONLY has energy saver light bulbs in all fittings), rather have a little reading lamp in a corner. There are many color lamp shades and these lamps are really inexpensive, then put a energy saver bulb in. I have been doing this for about 3 months and my electricity account has really gone down.

Anita Prinsloo, Johannesburg

I have only 1 tip at the moment. Watch only the first half of the SA Super 14 teams and switch all TV and radios off. Saving power and heartache..

Kevan Williams, Middelburg

Ons prop die mikrogolfoond uit indien dit nie in gebruik is nie, want blykbaar trek die horlosie van die mikrogolf meer krag, as wanneer jy die oond self gebruik.

Charmaine Griffin, Pretoria Tuine

When showering, instead of opening the cold water tap a bit more to adjust the water temperature, rather close the hot water tap a little, thereby using less warm water and saving electricity.

Trevor Broodryk, Hartbeespoort

I would just like to mention, we've been building our new house and some cottages to rent, and due to the electricity shortages we've considered going with gas.

We've installed gas geysers in our house and cottages and what a pleasure, when you open your tap you've instantly have hot water. Initially it's more expensive for the installations and gas bottle deposits, but in the long run we are saving so much electricity and because we are using pre-paid electricity we're not paying anything, except for the replacement of the gas bottle when it's empty and the water bill at the end of the month.

Jennifer Brooks, Kempton Park

Make sure all electrical contacts are clean and wires properly secured. This will also prevent the house or building from being burnt down. Here’s hoping building laws will be changed for the compulsory installation of solar panels on new dwellings or other buildings being constructed.

Freddy van Wijk - Rooihuiskraal

Pay a small reward to employees who suggest new ways to save energy.

John Meiring, Centurion

Come up with a plan to encourage employees to carpool to work.

Mariette Slabbert, Delmas

Reward those employees who take public transportation to work.

Albert Ncube, Midrand

Make sure that bulbs, fixtures, lenses, lamps and reflective surfaces are cleaned regularly. By removing grease, dust and other dirt, you can increase the output of your lights.

Chris Jooste, Lydenburg

My yskas staan ver van enige ander elektriese toebehore af - onthou as jou yskas langs die stoof staan, moet dit meer krag gebruik om koud te bly.

Lynne Ross, Brooklyn

To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically); the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter.

Ben Scholtz, Polokwane

If you have a flat-roofed building, install skylights to reduce your lighting needs.

Elsa Bailey, Randburg

When buying or replacing computers, copiers and other office equipment, compare the energy requirements of various models and buy energy efficient equipment.

James McAvoy, Edenvale

Use mozzie coils (the ones that you burn) or citronella candles instead of electrical mozzie repellants.

Rob Smith, Ermelo

Link your security spot lights to movement switches or to a remote, then you’ll have light when needed & the lights won’t burn all night.

Martin le Roux, Hatfield

I only use gas heaters & I intend to buy a few more this year and to keep the underfloor heating off.

Shaun Pritchard, Villieria

Shake the washing before hanging them, then they need less ironing.

Agnes Lebiya, Nelspruit

My wasmasjien is nie gekoppel aan 'n warmkraan nie en ek gebruik net die koue-siklus - dis in elk geval beter vir die klere en kleure.

Valerie Cloete, Garsfontein

Ons het al die afgelope ses jaar 'n gasstoof en 'n konweksie-mikrogolfoond, watons as oond gebruik. Die stoof gebruik baie min gas - ons vervang die 9kg bottel so eenkeer elke 10 maande.

Avril Labuschagne, Witbank

In die somer eet mens mos meer vrugte en slaaie, braai en Woolies - dan hoef jy mos nie te kook nie. En, deur gereeld uit te eet spaar jy ook mos krag, of hoe?

Jana Enslin, Centurion

Put ice cubes into a metal bowl under - or close to your bed. It has to be ice cubes and it has to be in a metal dish. It cools your room down through the night and uses no electricity!

Mark Erasmus, Roodepoort

Pack your dishwasher through the week end instead of washing dishes every day. By doing this, you fill it up and only use it once, say on Sunday night.

Shane Chetty, Pietermaritzburg

There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.

Happy Tshabalala, Parkhurst

Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

Renier Clapham, Benoni

Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.

Erwin Lee, Boksburg

Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.

Raeesa Moodley, Lenasia