MBOMBELA – Do you live your life perpetually fearing 120 minutes of loadshedding per day, or is it just one of thos things that you have come to deal with during the past few weeks?
We all know that load shedding is the result of many things that have gone terribly wrong. The situation is not the way that it is supposed to be.
But it is the way it is. The only way to move forward – even if it is at a much slower pace than it would have been, had it not been for the mistakes that lead to us having to shed our load – is to make do with what we have.
Here’s how to adapt to the new status quo:
- Install a sunpanel:
Installing a sunpanel for a 3-bedroom home will cost you about R7 000. After incurring this expense, you will be guaranteed of hot water until the fiery planet ceases to exist. The water stays for hours after the sun has set.
- Invest in a generator:
Portable generators (approximately 750Watt) run on fuel and cost about R1 000. More powerful generators (about 2300Watt) provide up to seven hours of power per full tank of fuel and cost about R3 400. A 900Watt generator costs about R6 000. Where up to 8 500Watt is needed, a generator may cost you up to R26 000. These generators are purchased for business purposes in most cases.
- Amend your standard shopping list:
This may seem like the silliest tip of all, but items like candles and lamp oil can easily be forgotten as it is not usually part of our weekly shopping lists. Consider purchasing battery powered lamps that emit higer watts, as they offer a brighter light, which places less stress on the eyes when reading. Also stock up on batteries, matches and gas.
- Consider installing a gas stove:
Gas stoves have varying prices, starting at R 2 200 escalating to R 11 000. If purchasing one is within your reach, this is a wise alternative. Cooking will be simplified by unrestricted access to this appliance, regardless of the availability of electricity.
- Don’t buy bulk
You have knowledge of the situation. Your deepfreeze may not maintain its temperature when the going gets tough. Buying meat in bulk is a bad idea.
