Load Shedding Tip

LOADSHEDDING TIPS

In a previous article, we spoke about a headline from Eskom which stated that they predict that there will be between 37 and 101 days of load shedding this winter.

As consumers, we have been given some foresight that this may happen.

Now what can we do about it?

We have found 8 practical hacks to help you get through the darkness!

1. Follow the City of Cape Town on Twitter or Facebook.
   This way you will get the load shedding schedule "from the horse's mouth" instantly and in real time.
   Alterntively, there is an app you can use to download each suburb's schedule.
    
2. Know your other schedules to improve the overall assessment.
   Many people go and check their residential address' load shedding schedule and think that they are sorted.
   But you need to level up by checking the schedule of anywhere you or your loved ones regularly spend time - like your office, the gym or your children's schools including aftercare and babysitters.
    
3. Let there be light!
   A general rule of thumb with any kind of power outage is that access to enough light makes things far more bearable. 
   
   If you use candles, make sure they are on a stable surface and secured so they don't fall over or are in the way of a draught. Snuff out all candles before you leave the room.
    
4. Have a braai
   This is one of our most endearing heritages, so take the opportunity to light a fire and braai.
   
   You can even turn it into a social occasion and invite family and friends. If you cannot braai, use gas to cook if possible.

5. Steady boil (use gas stove)
   Store boiled water in a flask to ensure you can still have a cup of tea or coffee.
    
6. Be safe
   We often forget that criminal read the news too, and there are almost certainly burglars who will exploit load shedding for their own ends. Do not be caught out - be extra-vigilant when arriving home, and when in your home.

7. On the charge - power bank, rechargeable LEDs, car chargers
   Where possible, charge your devices, especially your cell phone and power bank, fully while the power is on. 
   
   Charge your device while you are driving using a car charger.

8. Top up
   In order to actually dispense fuel, petrol pumps require electricity, and while some of the larger petrol stations have generators, a lot of them don't. This is the reason we see so many orange cones in front of stations' entrances during load shedding.

Ultimately, the dream is that we all go solar and largely off-grid.

If you are considering solar panels, here are a few brief pointers and requirements:

• UPS + BATTERY BACKUP
• INVERTER
• SOLAR PV (or Tesla Power Wall)
• HYBRID OPTION

Solar is expensive (can go up to R1mil depending on the spec), and often the client wants to go completely off-grid. Then they see the costs and avoid the project altogether.

Start with a scalable solution - one which can grow.

Excess electricity generated by your system can be sold back to Eskom although they still want you to be a net consumer. This could vary if you are with Eskom (vs City of Cape Town).

Important to note that all solar panel / systems must be registered with Council.

Go to websites:

https://savingelectricity.org.za/

https://www.capetown.gov.za/solarpv