10 Ways to Cut Down on your electricity bill this Winter in Zimbabwe
The colder months that we are in at the moment often bring higher electricity bills for homeowners in Zimbabwe. Its often common for homeowners to crank up their thermostats. People also get cozy and take long hot showers during the cold winter months. Its no brainer therefore that energy usage rises as seasonal temberatures drop. Luckily, there are some energy saving tips that Zimbabweans can take advantage of to reduce high energy consumption and electricity bills. Here are ten energy saving tips one can use to save on electricity.
Ways Zimbabweans can cut down on their energy bill in winter
- Install solar system
- Choose LED Light Bulbs instead of incandescent
- Unplug Unused Devices
- Only Heat the rooms you need most
- Set Thermostat Lower
- Use Free Energy from the Sun
- Only Wash/Dry Full Loads of Laundry
- Take Shorter Showers
- Close the Fireplace When Not in Use
- Only Heat Rooms you need most.
Install Solar Panels
This is a very important and giant step that shall help you cut down on your electricity bill this winter. By using solar panels, you use energy from the sun. The cost of solar energy is less than the cost of electricity. Therefore, as energy goes up at ZESA, the amount of your solar savings increases. Zimbabweans can dramatically reduce or totally eliminate their energy costs in winter by going solar. There are a lot of advantages that individual homes and businesses can get when they install a solar system. Learn more about our home and business solar
Choose LED Light Bulbs instead of incandescent
Switching to light emitting diodes (LED) light bulbs will hugely save on your electricity bill in Zimbabwe. It is well known that light emitting diodes are among the most energy efficient bulbs available. This is because they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. Just think of how many light bulbs you have in a typical home in Zimbabwe and see how your savings can multiply. This shall contribute to you saving much on electricity this winter.
Unplug Unused Devices
Do you know that many home appliances and electronics draw energy even when they are in an off position and not in use? Prime suspects are devices that operate with a remote control because they basically live in a standby mode. Other devices that consume energy even in standby mode in a home or business include plasma televisions, micro waves, decoders, phone chargers, desktop computers and video game consoles and other electronic gadgets. Unplug all unused devices to save on electricity during winter.
Set Thermostat Lower
Another way to keep energy costs down this winter is turning down the thermostat. Many energy experts suggest lowering your thermostat a few degrees during the day and even more during the night. It is suggested you should keep your thermostat between 18 and 20 degrees celcius. By doing so, a home can save as much as 10% of the heating bill for just 8 hours a day. If you are feeling chilly even when you havee reduced the thermostat, its better to wear a sweater than cranking up the heat.
Use Free Energy from the Sun
Sunlight coming from the sun through the windows can help heat up a room. It has also been proven that opening or closing curtains and drapes can strategically help you save on your energy bill this winter. Ludiocrous as it may seem, opening the curtains when the sun is shining in and closing them when it gets dark can go a long way this winter.
Only Wash/Dry Full Loads of Laundry
One of the simplest laundry energy saving tips is always to run full loads as is possible. It is not advisable to run small loads as partial loads take up as much energy as a full load. You therefore end up using more power and water with multiple washer loads. A better way to circumvent this energy overload this winter is therefore to run your machine when you are sure you have a full load which can lead you to have more energy savings this winter.
Take Shorter Showers
A shorter shower does not only save water but also saves on the energy used to heat that water. Water that you use when bathing is heated by electricity if you do not have solar panels installed on your roof. It therefore makes sense that if you take a shorter shower, you are saving on energy this winter.
Close the Fireplace When Not in Use
A lit fireplace is a great way to warm up your home this winter in Zimbabwe. However, it can also allow cold air to sneak in when not in use. It is recommended that you keep your fireplace damper closed whenever you are not using the fireplace. Most homes in Zimbabwe do not even use the fireplace. It is recommended that you plug and seal the chimney flue.
Only heat rooms you need most
It is important that you reduce the area you heat by closing doors to rooms you are not using. This means you will need less energy to heat the rest of the house during this winter.
Conclusion
Taking some measures in your home during this winter can go a long way in saving on your electricity during this winter. However, moving towards solar can help you be energy independent completely. At Onpoint Solar, we help you be save on energy by designing, installing and maintaining robust solar systems that help you in the long run. Contact our support team today.
