Beat Loadshedding This Winter
Category Homeowners Advice
Winter is officially here, and snowfall in the Drakensberg has brought frigid temperatures to KZN. Every winter, household power consumption skyrockets with the use of indoor heating as families strive to warm homes that are ultimately built to keep them cool in the sweltering months. Unfortunately, loadshedding owing to a lack of generation capacity is more common in the winter, when demand for electricity exceeds supply.
Power outages are extremely inconvenient, especially when Eskom announces stages 3 and above abruptly and without warning. The power utility continues to ask customers to "reduce the usage of electricity in order to help ease the pressure on the power system" and to "switch off heaters, geysers, pool pumps, etc" during loadshedding to avoid overloading when power is restored. However, when loadshedding coincides with a cold front, this is easier said than done. So we've put together some ways to help you cope with loadshedding during Winter.
Keep Up to Date:
Check social media sites like Twitter, where outages and maintenance are routinely publicised, or download one of the loadshedding apps, our favourite is EskomsePush, to ensure that you are indeed experiencing scheduled loadshedding. Members of your neighbourhood or street WhatsApp group will also be able to tell you whether loadshedding is scheduled for your region or if the power loss is the consequence of an unscheduled outage (for example, owing to substation damage or unexpected repair).
Plan Ahead:
Loadshedding is frequently planned and announced ahead of time to give consumers enough time to prepare, which includes charging all electronic devices, ensuring torches and lanterns are fully charged and within reach, and making alternative meal arrangements (if cooking requires the use of electronic appliances). If your area's loadshedding occurs during dinnertime and interferes with your cooking, plan your meal around the loadshedding timetable for that evening, have an impromptu braai, or order take-out.
Unplug, And Switch Off:
Make sure to turn off all appliances and lights so that the circuits are not overwhelmed when power is restored. Prepare your home for a power outage a few minutes before it is scheduled, especially if it is scheduled in the evening and is scheduled to return during the night. Nobody wants to have to get out of a comfortable bed at midnight to turn off all the lights that have come back on with the electricity. Make sure that large appliances like stoves and electric heaters are turned off, as leaving them on for extended periods of time can be dangerous to you and your family. As previously noted, power may fail to return to some regions during loadshedding restorations due to inrush current created by overloading when power is restored. Nothing is more aggravating than expecting power to be restored at the conclusion of the allocated time window, only to be left in the dark for hours owing to consumers overwhelming the network. All non-essential appliances should be turned off.
Be Prepared:
If an outage is scheduled for the evening, make sure you're prepared. Curtains work as insulators; keep them open during the day to take advantage of the abundant winter sunshine, but close them at night to retain heat when the temperature drops and the sun sets. Warm up the main living area for 30 minutes before loadshedding by turning on the heater or underfloor heating, and close outside windows and doors to unoccupied rooms to prevent warm air from escaping. Stock up on warm blankets and boil the kettle before the power loss to fill hot water bottles for the kids or to warm up the family with a hot drink. Being prepared for the cold and darkness will also help to reassure young children who are scared or unsettled by it. Gas and paraffin heaters are an efficient way to heat a space during a power outage, but they must be used with caution. Heaters should be kept away from flammables and furniture, and they should never be left unattended.
Make the Most of It:
Loadshedding is a reality for all South Africans, but the forced time away from screens and gadgets can be beneficial. Make the most of your limited screen time by spending quality time with your loved ones, such as sharing a candlelight supper, playing board games, and engaging in family discussions.
Author: Maxprop