Cut energy use and save cash

TIPS FOR THREE BIGGEST POWER USERS Turning winter budget management into a family activity can yield good results.

Unlike our ancient ancestors, we do not go into a state of near-hibernation in the cold months. However, we do live differently in winter than in summer. Consequently, spending patterns change and for many households it is more difficult to make ends meet in winter.

The main culprit is a surge in household energy costs – an increase of up to 15%, according to Eskom. People switch on heaters, take longer baths or hotter showers, use stoves and ovens to prepare comfort food, and washing machines and tumble dryers work harder.

But it is possible to manage household costs in winter, says Nicole Sanderson, brand custodian at Bayport Financial Services. “The starting point is knowing where you spend the most money, and then to put measures in place to curb that expenditure.”

In most households, the hot water geyser is the biggest user of electricity. It accounts for almost 40% of the average home’s electricity bill. Next is space heating at 16%, then stoves and ovens at 11%. Quick and easy options are to lower the geyser thermostat setting to 60°C, cover it with a geyser blanket, and insulate the water pipes. If you have the necessary cash to make a long-term investment, consider installing a heat pump or solar panels.

When it comes to saving on space heating costs, Sanderson advises that consumers look at their doors, windows and ceilings before they turn to heaters. Preventing cold air from entering your home, and hot air from escaping from it, is a very effective way to save money on heating costs. In the same way, insulation in the ceiling will keep the warm air from disappearing through the roof. It is estimated that an insulated room requires 51% less energy to heat up, while warmth generated by heaters is more effectively retained.

If, despite proper insulation, you still feel cold in your house, use heaters with a built-in thermostat and a short warm-up time. And instead of trying to heat up a room, rather heat up the people in the room. “Wrapping up in a blanket and sipping a hot drink or eating a bowl of soup will leave you far more comfortable than huddling round a heater,” says Sanderson. Similarly, a hot water bottle in your bed is more effective than a heater in the room.

With stoves and ovens subelectricity stantial savings can be made by managing your kitchen differently. Winter is the time of year when you cook stews, curries and soups – dishes that are perfect for preparing in bulk, allowing you to freeze the extra portions. Not only do you save by buying fresh ingredients in large quantities, you also use the same amount of (or gas) to cook enough food for two or three meals. Even more money, energy and time can be saved by using energy-efficient cooking methods and appliances, such as the Wonderbag.

Another kitchen appliance that can cost – or save – money, is the refrigerator. Colder temperatures in winter allow you to save electricity by setting the thermostat two degrees higher than in summer. Defrost the refrigerator at least twice per year, and do not overload it. Also, check the door seals and replace them if they no longer fulfil their function properly.

“There are other ways too in which consumers can save,” says Sanderson. For instance, people are more likely to catch a cold or develop coughs and fevers in winter. Flu injections and extra vitamins can help to avoid a visit to the doctor and/or the pharmacy.

She also suggests turning winter budget management into a family activity. “An acquaintance of mine agreed with his children that their pocket money would be increased by a percentage of the money saved on the electricity bill. Within a month or two, their bill was half of what it used to be.”

Electricity is obviously a major expense in winter, but there are other ways too in which consumers can save