ENERGY SavING FEaTURE

Use Energy-Efficient Appliances TO CUT pOWER COSTS Eskom’s 8% average power tariff increase for the next five years granted by the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) recently,may have detrimental effects on many businesses in the country.

on your electricity bill every month. The most efficient refrigerators are over and under fridge-freezer combinations. Manual defrost freezers are generally more efficient than automatic defrost models if they are properly maintained.

Choose appliances that run on natural gas rather than electricity.

The 8% electricity price hike which is part of Eskom’s Third Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) will see the average cost of electricity being increased to 65.51 cents a kilowatt hour in 2013/2014 up to 89.13c/kWh in 2018.

Eskom’s MYPD3 covers a five-year period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018 and the total revenue approved by Nersa for this period amounts to R906 553 million. As part of its MYPD3 application to Nersa, the power utility included the proposal to restructure its retail tariffs which are applicable to various customer categories in urban, rural, residential and local authorities.

The small businesses within the hospitality industry, and particularly tavern owners, could feel the pinch of the high price of electricity more than other sectors. This is mainly because of the nature of their businesses where beer and all other beverages have to be kept in the refrigerators and coolers in order to be served chilled.

Refrigerators and freezers consume about a sixth of all electricity in a typical home - using more electricity than any other single household appliance. And, if your refrigerator or washing machine is more than a decade old, you’re spending a lot more on energy than you need to.

Today’s major appliances don’t consume energy the way older models do because they must meet minimum required energy efficiency standards. These standards have been tightened over the years, so any new appliance you buy today has to use less energy than the model you’re replacing. For instance, if you buy one of today’s most energyefficient refrigerators, it will use less than half the energy of a model that’s more than 12 years older. Buying a modern or energy-efficient refrigerator could give you huge savings

Tips to Save Energy:

• The freezer should be defrosted if ice build-up is thicker than 5mm. • Vacuum the coils in the back of your refrigerator twice a year to maximize efficiency. • Make sure the fridge is not positioned next to the stove, dishwasher or exposed to direct sunlight, which will make the appliance work harder. • If your refrigerator has an energysaver (anti-sweat) switch, it should be on during the summer and off during the winter. • Make sure the seals around the doors are not cracked or torn, which will mean the cold air leaks out. • Freezers work best if they are full – if yours is on the empty side, put a building brick or two inside. These will become very cold and act like a cool box brick meaning the freezer won’t have to work as hard.

Water Usage

Geysers account for approximately 40% of the household energy bill. But if you can set the geyser temperature to 60 degrees, you will see a noticeable drop in the electricity bill, but no noticeable difference in temperature. This is how you can Save Energy through Water Usage: • If you can afford it, install a solar water heater. • Insulate both the geyser and pipes to keep the water warm – the savings in electricity make it a good investment. • Allowing hot water to pour out of taps and down the drain is wasteful. • Take a shower instead of a bath to save on hot water and use an aerated (low-flow) showerhead to control the amount of water used.

• If you have an old cistern, put a brick in it. This will mean you use less water that has gone through a very energy intensive process before it gets into the cistern.

Gas Equipment

Whenever possible choose appliances that run on natural gas rather than electricity. Look for dryers, stoves and water heaters that run on natural gas. If you have a gas furnace for home heating, change the filter monthly to save money and be sure that all cooking burners are burning with a blue, coneshaped flame. A yellow flame indicates clogged air inlets or burners that need adjustment or the valves need cleaning. Check the seal on your gas oven door. Gaps or tears in the seal will let heat escape and waste energy. Keep the hobs and the reflectors on stove tops clean and debris-free - they will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.

Dishwashers

Modern dishwashers are almost always more energy efficient than doing the dishes by hand if they are used responsibly. • Only start the dishwasher when it is full and loaded correctly. • Scrape leftovers into the bin before loading plates. • There is no need to pre-rinse under running water – the high temperature and pressure will remove stubborn stains during the cycle. • Use the economy setting wherever possible. • Use rinse aids to ensure the dishwasher works at maximum efficiency.

Home equipment

If a device is plugged into an outlet, it is consuming energy, whether it is being used or not. Unplug DVD players and TVs at night. Or plug them all into a power strip which can be switched on and off conveniently. Sixty percent of electricity consumed by such appliances is done so while they’re idle, powering light displays or utilizing “instant on” features. Unplug ‘wall warts’ - plugs attached to a black transformer box, like cell phone chargers.

sILkY AnD ELEGAnT hARTEnBERG mERLOT 2009

Hartenberg Merlot 2009 wows with silky, rich black and red fruit aromas and is elegantly complemented by lasting fl avours of vanilla and orchards of plum on the palate. Winemaker, Carl Shultz knows just how to harness the very best from Hartenberg’s terroir and micro climates. By ageing this wine in the estate’s impressive underground maturation cellar, the wine was able to reach its full potential prior to release. As the ideal accompaniment to chilly winter evenings, this wine is best enjoyed with succulent game, lamb and beef dishes.

The Hartenberg Merlot 2009 sells at the cellar door for R125 a bottle and is available at selected boutique wine stores and fi ne dining restaurants.

2012 DRosTDY-hoF - FREsh, BRIGhT AnD CLEAR

The 2012 Drostdy-Hof Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing wine that’s just right to serve with summer salads, seafood, poultry and even goat’s milk cheese. The three litre box weighs 30% less than four 750 millilitre bottles combined, making it a genuinely hospitable gesture of appreciation when family or friends come over for a meal.

It’s conveniently designed to fi t snugly in your fridge, it’s simple to open and pour, and there’s no need to fi nish it the night it’s opened. This tangy and tasty 2012 Sauvignon Blanc was packed to ensure that you can return to it at your leisure, for up to six weeks once opened. The 2012 Drostdy-Hof Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, bright and clear. On the nose you’ll pick up traces of litchi, fi gs, gooseberries and new-mown grass. On the zesty palate, expect granadillas and gooseberries with delicious, lingering aftertastes. At just 12% alcohol by volume, it’s immensely versatile and you can enjoy it on its own or with food. The wine retails for less than R80 for a three litre box and is available at selective liquor stores countrywide.

hEALTh-FRIEnDLY - PInoT noIR BRUT RosÉ 2011

The Woolworths Limited Release Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 2011 comprises 100% Pinot noir grapes which lend the faintest salmon hue and an enticing nose of rose petals, luscious strawberries and vibrant red fruit.

“This limited release is as delicious as it is health-friendly and extreme care is taken in the whole winemaking process to prevent oxidation and spoilage of the wine as no Sulphur is added. It is a mouthful of freshness and fi nesse,” says Simonsig cellar master, Johan Malan.

He says the beauty of this noble red grape variety lies in its ability to add full-bodied structure to the wine without losing its delicacy and fi nesse.

The grapes where whole bunch pressed and then inoculated with a special Prise de Mousse yeast to start the primary fermentation. The yeast selection is critical as certain yeasts actually form sulphur dioxide in the wine which can be problematic when trying to make a sulphur-free wine. The Woolworths Limited Release Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 2011 spent nine months on the lees to develop its mouth-fi lling roundness and well-balanced character. It can partner exceptionally well with crayfi sh thermidor, rich Thai dishes or decadent desserts.

The wine retails at R89. 95 a bottle at selected Woolworths stores countrywide.

UnFILTERED sEMILLon - vERSaTILE aND ExCELLENT FOOD WINE

This Unfi ltered Semillon embodies great complexity and true varietal character through meticulous terroir selection and excellent craftsmanship in the Fleur du Cap cellar.

“Our Semillon is an elegant wine with heaps of apricot and vanilla oak spice on the palate allowing it to be enjoyed even at mild room temperatures during the colder months. I enjoy drinking this wonderful food wine most during autumn with creamy wild mushroom risotto,” says winemaker Pieter Bedanhorst.

Chef Craig Cormack says his ultimate pairing choice for the Fleur du Cap Unfi ltered Semillon 2011 is a seared tuna enlivened with delicately pink Murray River Salt from Australia. Bedanhorst says Murray River Salt just adds an extra dimension to your dish and brings out the full fl avour profi le of the Semillon.