This article 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 the 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 wreaking havoc on our planet, we will all 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, and they will be a huge energy saver for the future.

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips

1. Solar Geyser Heating a rather expensive option is the Solar route. However, the results are good for energy saving.
2. 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.
3. Double Glazed windows are a great energy saver as well.
4. Solar film for summer benefits.
5. Roof insulation products Knauf Ecose Insulation or Aerolite Insulation reduce heat flow into the home.
6. Wall insulation reduces heat flow through walls in summer.
7. Floor Insulation if water levels are found below your home on new builds.
8. LED lights save hugely on energy
9. A gas stove is more economical than an electric stove.
10. Door get the right door fitted and save on heat reduction.

Solar Heating

Solar heating for geysers or heat pumps will save substantial energy per year. Your energy bill is estimated to be 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 up front, it does not seem like the benefits are great until you place this into a 10-year saving. This changes the game totally as one must also consider rising energy costs. However, to simplify this, let’s not consider rising energy costs. 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 know that the standard geyser solution is expensive to run as it consumes massive energy. The heat pump system at a fraction of the cost will save around R 64 800 annually. 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 are closed will cost you much more energy.

Thicker glass for the windows or double-glazed windows. 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 substantially reduce heat flow into the home on hot summer days. However, this option is ineffective in winter when you need to conserve the home’s warm air. However, heavy curtaining would be 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 in the home. This is why roof insulation is so important. A well-insulated house will substantially reduce energy loss in homes running heating or cooling.

Many homeowners suffer the summer heat and are free in the winter chill. They are unaware that an insulated home will comfort them 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 has been a glass fibre insulation product for over 90 years. This is still the UK and USA’s most widely used insulation product. 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, the brickwork will absorb the heat on hot days, and the home inside is like a pizza oven.

Well, how can we solve this, you may ask? On existing homes, we can’t do anything. However, fitting Isoboard between the inner and outer walls on all new builds would be advisable. 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 under the concrete foundation will reduce this heat loss substantially. The Isoboard will be an insulation barrier between the cold water and the home inside.

LED Down Lights

This is also a no-brainer. The regular 40 or 50 watts downlight runs 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 install 2-watt energy-led downlights. 13 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 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, which will substantially reduce heat flow.

In conclusion, we hope these top 10 energy-saving tips will be of help. This article’s top 10 energy-saving tips 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.