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1. You've probably already fitted your compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), since they use 20- 25% of the energy of standard bulbs and last 10 times longer, but did you know that each CFL contains 5mg mercury?
I've just found out that in SA, Nova has a safe disposal system that has just become more convenient: it has tied up with Woolworths for an in-store collection facility. Woolworths told me it hopes the facility will be in all stores by the time you're reading this, and if it's not, ask the store manager why not...'
Heather Parker, consumer editor
2. 'Use a hot box. Basically, it's a box (made from material or cardboard) wherein two cushions act as insulators to retain heat until your meal is ready.
Winter calls for soup, but instead of using your stove at prime time, boil up your veggies in the morning, place the pot into the hot box, replace the hot box lid and leave until you're ready to eat. Think of it as a cordless slow cooker.
Best of all, you can get it from Salathiso, a group of HIV-positive women near Stellenbosch. It's only R150, and all the proceeds are shared among the women. Call Boniswa on 073 846 1152.'
Renata Harper, features writer
3. 'Pretty often, we sit in front of the TV while we eat supper. I know, I know, bad habit. I'm trying to change that to this scenario: TV off, all of us sitting round the table, candles flickering, talking while we eat (load-shedding definitely helps!).
Switching off the TV saves energy and money... and we talk more. Talk is cheap! Oh, and David Suzuki's well-designed website (www.davidsuzuki.org) has all sorts of advice on making your home, office, country and world more environmentally friendly.'
Anna Rich, senior editor
4. Switch the plugs off!
Take your cellphone charger out of the wall – it drains electricity even when not charging.
Choose a flat screen computer monitor since it uses about a third of the electricity of a regular computer monitor.
LCD TVs use about half the electricity of a plasma TV.
Running your washing machine or dishwasher on half loads is not energy efficient; instead, fill them and use the full setting.
Use a timer on your swimming pool pump.
Turn off your dishwasher after the final rinse and before the drying cycle, and dry the dishes manually.
Check the seal on your fridge: close the door on a piece of paper and if you can pull it out easily, replace the seal.
Using the grill in your oven to make toast is very expensive – use a toaster instead.
Sally Kramer, test house editor
5. 'We cook with gas, only have energy-saving light bulbs, have a blanket on our geyser, do only three loads of washing a week, the boys share a shallow bath, my husband showers in the morning. I now shower at night only. And our electricity bill: R200 – R300 a month.'
Shannon Smith, beauty and wellness editor
6. 'When cooking, I always try to use one appliance at a time: I don't boil the kettle if I have something in the microwave, or I don't use the microwave if the stove is on. This way I think I am doing my bit when consumption levels are at their peak.'
Kim Franks, production editor
7. 'I'm going to whip up a picnic supper once or twice a week. The stove is our second largest energy consumer, so making a meal of pita bread, shop-bought roast chicken, salad and fresh fruit will lower our energy usage – and leave us feeling like it's a Saturday afternoon...'
Elizabeth Atmore, junior sub and features writer
8. 'As we go into winter, there's nothing better than a hot water bottle – sounds old-fashioned, but it's a portable heater without the cost. And you can get funky and fair trade with your covers – try the gorgeous ones by the Vesokuhle Collective, which stole the show at Decorex 2008.'
Margaux Knuppe, beauty and wellness assistant
9. I've always judged a good shower by the red stripe down my back, but I'm taking cooler showers now. I've learnt how to do it: turn the temperature down just cool enough to bear, and keep it there. (I hear it's better than a boob job.)'
Karen Jayes, deputy editor – features
10. 'Boiling water in a kettle on a gas hob is not only energy efficient but far more stylish.You can find some beautiful kettles, from vintage versions to high-end, like the Alessi "Bird Whistle Hob Kettle" that literally has a little bird on the end of the spout.'
Nikki Werner, food editor
Calculate – and cut
If you're aware of how much electricity you're using, you might be motivated to start saving – money and electricity.
The formula is:
Total cost per month = kW rating of appliance x hours of use per day x days in the month x per unit charge. Per unit charge varies from city to city and depending on the type of meter and how you buy it. For simplicity's sake, we've calculated based on a pre-paid meter.
For Cape Town:
600kWh per month = a daily service charge* of R2,39 and 36,72c per kWh.
600kWh per month = 48,94c per kWh
400kWh per month = the first 50kWh is free, thereafter 48,94c per kWh
www.capetown.gov.za
For Durban:
150kWh per month = 45,64c per kWh (service charge included)
150kWh per month = the first 50 kWh is free, then 45,64c per kWh
www.durban.gov.za.
For Johannesburg:
900kWh per month = 51,68c per kWh
900kWh per month = 51,92c per kWh
www.joburg.org.za
*The daily service fee reflects the operating costs of providing electricity to domestic users and is charged whether or not electricity is used. It is deducted first, and then the balance is converted into units.
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