| Geysers are the single biggest electricity guzzlers in the home | |
| When
the national Energy Efficiency campaign was announced at the onset of winter,
the Minister of Minerals and Energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka again highlighted
the need for all South Africans to cut energy costs in the home. South African households consume approximately 24% of the country’s energy and a substantial amount of energy savings is possible within the residential sector. In South Africa, electricity is a lot cheaper than in many other countries so we have not yet developed the instinct of being energy savers. A target for households of 10% reduction in energy use by 2015 has been set by the Department of Minerals and Energy. |
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| Talking about residential energy use and how people can save money on electricity bills, the Minister said: | |
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“Geysers of course are the biggest electricity guzzlers in the home. In the lifetime of a household this can add up to many wasted rands and cents. So our consumers need knowledge and awareness. Who would ever think of specifying a certain type of geyser when they build a house? Well the time has come when we have to ask our plumber and say, ‘I want a geyser of this size that uses only so much water.’” South Africa’s boom time means that we have witnessed new housing on a grand scale. Typically a “green building” conjures images of a multimillion rand highrise with glass facades. However green buildings do not necessarily look or feel any different to ordinary buildings they just use less energy and cost less to maintain. They also increase the productivity and health of those living in them. Part of the national Energy Efficiency drive is to make consumers more aware that they DO have a choice. Construction and related industries need to start considering materials that do not require a large amount of energy to process and procedures that cut down on energy consumption. Geysers are one of the first appliances that can help with this. It is encouraging to see that there are innovations by local manufacturers, for example: Reggie Sigamoney at Durban’s Metro Housing Department, has just overseen the installation of copper geysers manufactured by City Heat at the Metro’s Glebe hostel in Umlazi. He said: “Unlike steel geysers, copper geysers do not suffer from spot-rust or corrosion and do not need maintenance. In a comparison we did between standard steel geysers and the copper geysers manufactured from corrosion-resistant copper, we found the latter were competitive and very reasonable in cost when especially considering the long-term savings. “ The 100kpa and 200kpa geyser units deliver economical volumes of water and it is not necessary to heat more water than the required volume. The City Heat copper geysers are quick and easy to install with inexpensive copper- to-copper connectors and the absence of an internal glass-lining means that the copper tank with exterior lining does not loose heat in the event of the lining failing, or need maintenance. 30% of the world’s energy flow is used in lighting, heating and cooling. A “green building” uses clever design and new technology to minimise energy waste. The Department of Minerals and Energy has called on South Africans to start making the buildings they live and work in “green” – a measure that will cut energy bills, conserve the environment, and improve the lives of those who live there. ‘Green buildings’ are just one of the ways we can reduce our energy consumption and conserve our natural resources and environment. To find out other ways of saving energy and saving money log on to www.enerficiency.co.za -- Ends – Issued
on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy, NER and Eskom | For
more information contact: PR Africa City Heat can be contacted on 031 461 3555 or e-mail cityheat@iafrica.com |
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