In this article, we will cover the top 10 energy-saving tips for South African conditions. As we all know, heavy energy consumption affects our environment. So we will look at the top 10 energy saving tips in order of biggest savings. Homeowners that follow these steps can save as much as 50 if not more on energy saving.
Energy-saving and the environment have been the most important discussion points in the last few years. As global warming is now wreaking havoc with our planet, we all will be in a desperate situation soon.
Global warming, as well as pollution, are destroying the planet as we know it. Energy saving is at the top of the list for future generations.
We are putting some of these tips in place, if not all, will be a huge energy saver for the future.
Top 10 Energy Saving Tips
- Solar Geyser Heating a rather expensive option is the Solar route. However, the results are good for energy saving.
- Heat pumps come in different sizes depending on family size—a far more affordable option with great energy savings. Energy saving is similar to solar heating.
- Double Glazed windows are a great energy saver as well.
- Solar film for summer benefits.
- Roof insulation products Isotherm Insulation or Aerolite Insulation reduce heat flow into the home.
- Wall insulation reduces heat flow through walls in summer.
- Floor Insulation if water levels are found below your home on new builds.
- LED lights save hugely on energy
- A gas stove is more economical than an electric stove.
- Door get the right door fitted and save on heat reduction.
Solar Heating
Solar heating for geysers or heat pumps will save a substantial amount of energy per year. It is estimated that your energy bill is R 2ooo per month, giving R 24 000 per annum. Your energy saving will be about R 5800 per year. Now take into account that this energy-saving will go on year after year.
When looking at this upfront, it does not seem as though the benefits are great until you place this into a 10-year saving. This then changes the game totally as one must also consider rising energy costs as well. However, to simplify this, let’s not take energy rising costs into account. The solar at a huge price will save you around R69 000 per year.
Heat Pump Hot Water Solution
Heat pump 4.7 kilowatts is ideal for a family of 6 and will cost a fraction of solar heating. The same applies. Let’s work on a family consuming R 2000 per month with an annual bill of R 24 000 per annum. Your projected energy saving could be as much as R5400 per year.
We are all aware that the standard geyser solution is expensive to run as they consume massive amounts of energy. The heat pump system at a fraction of the cost will save around R 64 800 per year. Operators in their field of expertise supply these figures, so we rely on their input on accuracy.
Double Glazed Windows
Most homes have old wooden framed window frames. Unfortunately, these window types are not very energy efficient. Especially in winter, when one needs heating in the house, having cold air entering through the windows you think is closed will cost you a lot more energy.
Thicker glass for the windows or double glazed window. Most modern homes today in South Africa must comply with the SANS legislation. Only 15% of your home can be glass unless you can achieve the recommended loss projection.
Double glazed windows are a massive energy saver per annum as it is expected that up to 25% of energy loss in the home will be through closed windows. Double glazed windows will reduce the summer heat gain as well as the winter heat loss.
Solar Window Tinting
Solar window tinting will reduce heat flow into the home substantially on hot summer days. However, this option is not effective in winter when you need to conserve the home’s warm air. However, heavy curtaining then would act as an insulator against losing the home’s warm atmosphere.
Many homeowners do not like the idea of tinted window glass. However, there are options with almost no tint that are very effective.
Roof Insulation Products
This is our field of expertise, and we are experts on this subject. We do not believe in the blow in type paper dust insulation and will not install this. Especially in the Cape region, where we get powerful winds, this tends to blow the insulation to different home sides.
As much as 45% of heat loss and gain are from the roof space into the home. This is why roof insulation is so important. In homes that are running heating or cooling, this means that a well-insulated house will reduce energy loss substantially.
Many homeowners suffer the summer heat and are free in the winter chill. They are unaware that an insulated home will give them comfort without spending money on heating and cooling. Good quality roof insulation will reduce the heat flow in or out of the roof space by up to 90%. Roof Insulation is one of the best top 10 energy-saving tips. Cover your cost in 3 years.
Isotherm Insulation green in colour is regarded as one of the most eco-friendly products in the world. The 145 mm Isotherm has the recommended R-value of 3.70 for the Western Cape region. This insulation has a 30-year guarantee so that it will outlast the life of your home. This is our customer’s product of choice.
Aerolite insulation is a glass fibre insulation product and has been on the market for more than 90 years. This is still the most widely used insulation product in the UK and USA. The Think Pink Aerolite 135 mm is SANS compliant and will achieve the R-value of 3.70 as specified for the Western Cape region. To find out more about Aerolite, visit this site.
Wall Insulation
American style homes are very energy efficient as the walls, floors and roof space are all well insulated. Most American homes are timber or Nutec sidewalls that are well insulated. In South Africa, most of our homes are brick. As we know, on hot days, the brickwork will absorb the heat, and the home inside is like a pizza oven.
Well, how can we solve this, you may ask. On existing homes, we cant do anything. However, it would be advisable to fit Isoboard between the inner and outer walls on all new builds. This will reduce heat gain through walls in summer and winter. Most homes will lose up to 35% of their energy through the uninsulated wall.
Floor Insulation
Homes with concrete floors can be insulated to reduce the cold flowing into the house via the floor. Many houses built above water retention areas are known to be much colder in winter. Homes on the river’s edge are also affected in the same way.
Fitting Isoboard into the concrete will reduce this heat loss substantially. The Isoboard will ac as an insulation barrier between the cold water and the home inside.
LED Down Lights
This is also a no-brainer. The regular 40 watts or 50 watts downlight run at a temperature of between 275 and 350 degrees C. Installing an LED energy saver downlight will dramatically reduce electricity consumption.
Let’s say you are installing 2-watt energy save led downlights. 13 of these lights would consume less electricity than one of the standard 40-watt bulbs. Some homes have more than 100 downlights. This will be a massive energy saving when all lights are left on. For example, if we had LED lights, and all were on, they would consume less energy than 7 of the 40-watt lights.
Fit A Gas Stove
Gas stoves are a great way of saving energy in the home. These stoves are far more economical to use as the heat is instant. Many homes with electric stoves must wait for the plates to heat up this is wasted energy. An all-around gas stove is far more economical to run.
Doors for Your Home
Outside doors must be good quality thick wooden doors and must be well treated. Also, make sure the doors seal very well. Make sure you don’t have big gaps at the bottom, and if your door, put a roll sealer in place. This will prevent the cold air from entering the home on freezing days.
Another option is double glazed Aluminium doors as these will reduce heat flow substantially.
In conclusion, we hope these top 10 energy saving tips will be of help. The top 10 energy saving tips in this article are more for newly built homes. However, some of the top 10 energy-saving tips can be instituted in existing homes.
So be safe, insulate and save energy.