POLOKWANE – Residents are urgently requested to use electricity sparingly to avoid network strain that might result in loadshedding.
Municipal communications manager, Tidimalo Chuene, said the municipality had received an urgent request from Eskom to advise residents to reduce electricity usage immediately.
“The network is currently under a lot of strain and nearly 20mva might be needed to return the situation to normal,” she said.
This is as a result of urgent maintenance work being done and less electricity being available on the grid countrywide.
Energy saving tips:
• Switch off lights in rooms not being used, turn the geyser to 60°C and use hot water sparingly. Cover the geyser with isolation material to prevent heat loss.
• The average kettle operates at ±1 900 watts. The more water you boil the more electricity you use. Only boil the water you need for your cup of tea or coffee.
• Energy efficient lighting options are readily available today. LED and CFL light bulbs consume much less electricity than conventional incandescent light bulbs and last six to eight times longer
• Make do without air conditioners, rather open windows and doors.
• Unplug appliances such as microwave ovens, computers, photocopy machines and TVs overnight or when not in use. They draw electricity when plugged in. To unplug these appliances totally from wall sockets will save a small amount of electricity, but all small savings add up to reduce the usage of electricity.
• Use swimming pool pumps for shorter periods.
