Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager for Energy Efficiency at The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) recommends starting with a few attainable steps that will go a long way in establishing an energy efficiency environment in your home or business.

Windows, sun and light

“We encourage both consumers and small businesses, to start with low-cost steps such as improving their homes or facilities’ insulation. Sealing leaking windows for example, will prevent air coming in through little cracks and openings.  If the power does go off it won’t become exceedingly hot or cold, which will also mitigate the unnecessary use of air conditioning or heaters.

Bredenkamp also recommends planting deciduous trees in front of windows, ensuring that it provides some shade in summer. It is an inexpensive and eco-friendly solution.

Another inexpensive step would be to take stock of lighting throughout the building and replace it with energy saving LED options.

Gas and technology provide answers 

“Another practical step is converting your cooking to LPG, (liquefied petroleum gas). A lot of restaurants have already switched over to gas and it is equally practical in the home. Traditional cooking methods drains power, and you can continue cooking when the power is off,” he adds.

From a business perspective, investing in technologies such as energy efficient printers and desktops go a long way in optimising energy usage. “We recommend that businesses look for technologies that have a high energy efficiency rating – it is readily available, and the savings will quickly outweigh the initial capital outlay,” comments Bredenkamp.

Refrigeration is also a less obvious energy efficiency opportunity. “Today there are various refrigerator options available that run at optimal energy efficiency. The important thing is to do your homework beforehand and ensure that when you do purchase a refrigerator, it provides you with the best possible energy use for the money spent.”

The time is now

The above steps provide the foundation for moving towards a household or business that is more energy efficient.  “Through awareness and ultimately a mindset change, most people will be able to embark on the energy efficiency journey towards a more sustainable future.

“With extreme and fluctuating weather conditions, people have become acutely aware that steps must be taken to safeguard the environment – energy efficiency is very important,” he concludes.