TIPS FOR WINTER BY JESSIE TAYLOR
Fighting the Winter chills
Some tips on how to keep warm this winter
S
outh Africa is expected to experience a winter more cold and wet than usual, and many will be looking for options to keep their homes warm on chilly winter days. But with the electricity supply challenges faced by the country, you may find that high electricity costs and power outages make using most traditional heating methods more difficult. Winter tends to be associated with an increase in load shedding, as more people draw on the electricity grid to warm their homes. Not only does this disadvantage everyone – including businesses – but it can also have an impact on your personal finance as the electricity price rises. Try these tips to keep your home warm, without breaking the bank: INCREASE YOUR INSULATION Before investing in any heating system, it’s essential to ensure that your home is well insulated. An insulated room requires half the energy of an uninsulated room. If you are unable to afford to call in a professional to help you insulate your home, there are still some tricks you can try such as closing doors and windows. Increasing soft furnishings in your home will also improve insulation – consider thicker curtains, rugs and throws to keep your room feeling warmer. HEAT YOUR SPACE Traditional heating options like underfloor heating and wall-mounted heaters are often ineffective ways to heat your home. However, there are numerous options for space heaters that are budget-friendly for your home, but your priority should be to find an energy-efficient solution. Fan heaters are a good option for smaller spaces as they tend to draw minimal electricity. If you have an air conditioning unit installed, you could use it to heat up your room in winter. However, this option might see your electricity usage to increase. Alternatively, you could invest in a gas heater to reduce your electricity use.
50 | Public Sector Leaders | July 2022
