If you are wondering how you can keep warm and save a few Rands in the process, here is what you need to know.

Save on heating

Did you know that your heating system is one of the household appliances that uses the most electricity? As much as 27% of your electricity is used to power your heating and during winter, it will increase significantly. The solution? Get busy. Making use of your stove or oven by cooking, or washing your clothes in the washing machine can help generate heat that will gradually warm up your home. Leaving your curtains open during the day can allow the sun to shine into your home and heat it up in the process. Stay warm by dressing in extra layers instead of using your heating system.

Switch off your geyser

Your geyser can consume as much as 40% of your electricity. Always remember to switch it off when you are not at home or in the morning before you start work. Switching it on for a couple of hours in the evening can also help you cut back on how much you end up paying at the end of the month.

Change your bulbs

If you have not made the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, it’s best to do so. While switching off lights in the rooms that you are not occupying can help reduce the amount of electricity you use, having light bulbs that are not energy efficient can end up costing you. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or light-emitting diodes (LED) lights consume 75% less energy compared to the traditional light bulbs. They also come with an added perk of lasting longer so that you don’t have to constantly replace your bulbs.

Power down

Always unplug appliances that you are not using. Appliances that continue to consume power while they are not in use can cost you over time. It will also protect your items from being damaged by power surges and being affected by lightning.

Mind the gap

All your hard work of keeping your home warm can go down the drain if there are loose window frames or a window that does not close properly, allowing drafts of cold air to come in. Remember to do a house check for any windows that have gaps that need to be sealed. Doing this before winter can save you the ordeal of having to fix it when it is rainy and wet.

Take care of your pool pump

Remember to switch off the pool pump when your pool is not in use. Consider buying a pool cover to prevent water loss and the need for your pool pump to clean up the pool.