Consumers urged to use energy-efficient appliances
According to the organisation, South Africa is the highest greenhouse gas contributor in Africa, and everyone has a role to play in changing this.
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is urging consumers to look out for energy-efficiency labels on appliances.
To mitigate climate change and help move South Africa towards being a more energy-efficient nation, SANEDI encourages every individual to consider their household energy use.
According to the organisation, South Africa is the highest greenhouse gas contributor in Africa, and everyone has a role to play in changing this.
SANEDI’s project manager Ashanti Mogosetsi explained that there are easy ways for consumers to get on board with the initiative.
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Working with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), SANEDI has been mandated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to implement the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling Programme, which promotes consumer awareness through the energy efficiency labelling of appliances.
“These labels provide consumers with accurate and comparable information on the appliance’s energy efficiency performance.
“Many consumers aren’t aware that these labels exist or understand their meanings.
“This means that consumers are not empowered with the relevant information needed for making the purchase,” she explained.
She stated that buying energy-efficient appliances is good for the environment, saves money and consumes less energy for consumers, especially low-income households that rely on free basic electricity.
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Having joined SANEDI in December 2020, Mogosetsi has recently been appointed as project manager for the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling Programme and is already making significant inroads in this area.
South Africa is the world’s 14th largest global emitter of greenhouse gases, with high CO2 emissions due to our country’s heavy reliance on coal for the generation of energy.
“While renewable energy initiatives are vital for the future of our country, it has been estimated that by improving the efficiency of appliances, a reduction of six million tons of CO2 emissions can be achieved for the country by 2030.
“Through the Energy Efficiency Appliance Standards and Labelling Programme, the government hopes to eventually remove inefficient electrical appliances and equipment from the South African market and encourage the adoption of energy-efficient technologies,” she said.
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