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Energy Efficiency

Sustainable Projects has energy efficiency solutions for any project.  A site assessment will provide us with the details we need to suggest an appropriate intervention for your needs. This is the first step in making any project sustainable.

We are all too well aware of the hike in electricity prices, so it is up to you, the consumer, to protect yourself and do your bit to help the initiative for demand-side efficiency. By using electricity more efficiently, you’ll be contributing to a more reliable electricity system and doing your part to help protect the environment.

To begin with, it is important to be aware of the fact that because you are being energy efficient does not mean your home lifestyle will be worse off. The smart use of electricity in the home gives you better value for your money, giving you more to spend as you wish; a penny saved is a penny earned.  Many convenient and affordable solutions are available on our online store.

The following are fantastic ideas and solutions for creating a more energy-efficient Home.

Saving Tips for your Geyser:

  • Install a geyser blanket.
  • Turn down the thermostat to 50-60 degrees C.
  • Insulate at least the first 2m, preferably the first 4m, of hot water outlet.
  • Install a Solar Water Heater.

Lighting:

  • Use compact LED lights instead of ordinary incandescent bulbs.
  • LED’s use less energy and can last about 10 times longer.
  • Switch lights off when not in a room.
  • Use low-energy lighting for exterior areas.
  • Try do not install multiple lights on a single switch.

Electric stove:

  • Use a pressure cooker when preparing foods that take a long time to cook.
  • Buy a stove with a convection oven, as they are more efficient.
  • Keep oven doors closed until food is cooked.
  • Bring foods to the boil on ''high'' setting and then turn down to simmer until cooked.

Refrigerator:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances when possible.
  • Don't open or leave the door open unnecessarily.
  • Check that seals on the door are intact.
  • Turn off empty refrigerators when going on holiday.
  • Let hot food cool down before placing it in the fridge.
  • Defrost your fridge regularly.
  • Store foods apart on refrigerator shelves to allow for efferent cooling.

Heaters:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances when possible.
  • Use infrared heaters, as they are very efficient.
  • Oil filled heaters are the safest type to use.
  • Use electric blankets, but turn them off when in bed.

Space heating:

  • Use the correct heaters,
  • Insulate your ceiling and seal air gaps in the home.
  • Use double glazing.

Dishwasher:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances when possible.
  • Fill the dishwasher completely before turning it on.
  • Turn the washer off before the drying cycle and dry the dishes by hand.
  • Clean the filters regularly.

Freezers:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances where possible.
  • Freezers work harder to remove heat and therefore use more power.
  • Only one-tenth of a freezer's capacity should be used for freezing, turn the dial to a lower setting.
  • Defrost regularly to reduce the strain on cooling elements.

Microwave ovens:

  • Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of the microwave oven-it is more economical.
  • Use a microwave oven to cook small to medium quantities of food.
  • To cook larger portions of food, it is better to use a conventional oven.
  • Compare cooking times (keep the pressure cooker in mind).

Small appliances:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances where possible.
  • Use toasters, electric grills and skillets, slow cookers, electric pots and bottle warmers which usually require less energy than the stove.
  • Use an electric kettle to boil water, not a saucepan or the microwave oven.

Automatic washing machine:

  • Purchase energy efficient appliances where possible.
  • A front loading washing machine uses less water and costs less to operate.
  • Use the warm or cold water setting to cut down on energy needed to heat the water.
  • Make sure your load is full before washing.

Tumble dryers:

  • Don’t use the dryer if possible.
  • Dryers with an electronic humidity control are the most efficient.
  • Compact dryers are more economical.
  • Use correct temperature settings to minimise the electricity used.
  • Utilize sunny days for drying clothes outside.

Ironing:

  • Use a thermostatically controlled iron.
  • Switch the iron off once it has reached the correct temperature and complete the ironing on stored energy.
  • Turn the iron off when you are not using it.
  • Iron low temperature fabrics first to reduce warm-up time

Insulation:

  • Insulate ceiling cavities.
  • Seal air gaps around the home.
  • Make use of the home's material (such as concrete, brick and tiles) to adjust temperatures instead of using a heater or cooling appliances (for example: a concrete floor absorbs more heat than a floor covered by carpeting).

Try implement as many of these as you can and see the difference it makes, the next step in your energy conservation is looking to using Solar Water heaters and Renewable Energy Systems. These are fast becoming more affordable, convenient, and viable solutions.

You can find many more solutions available at our online store.

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