Electricity has simply become unaffordable. And, as if that’s not enough, it’s not always available.
In recent months, the power utility has been churning out media statements explaining the loss of generation at various power stations and pleading with consumers to use electricity sparingly.
While the updates are important, consumers naturally expect electricity to be available whenever they turn on the switch.
The recent tariff hike of over seven percent in Mangaung Metro has proved quite steep to most households and it might not be far-fetched to expect another round of hikes in the coming months.
I strongly believe it’s now time to seriously consider other practical solutions to end this double inconvenience of high prices and inavailabilty of electricity.
Alternatives like solar and gas could ease the problem quite significantly but it comes at a cost.
In fact, the installation costs might be quite discouraging, but once the systems are in place, there are no major expenses to be incurred – this including solar electricity, solar water heaters and gas.
Electrical geysers chew electricity while solar heaters are effective and efficient.
Natural gas is also a realistic alternative.
The system is cheaper to install by far and gas cylinders normally last for months.
Gas can be used for heating water, ovens and stoves in general.
Larger systems can also have central heating.
Gas is readily available and suppliers have delivery services for 10kg cylinders and above.
And unlike electricity, gas geysers only heat water on demand, which means that you don’t sit around with pre-heated water in your geyser.
It only heats on demand.
And when cooking, pans heat up quickly and, importantly, cool down when the gas is switched off.
It is a different type of heat and is great for making oven bread.
Worth a try!
- Mike Spencer is the founder and owner of Platinum Global. He is also a professional associated property valuer and consultant with work across the country as well as Eastern Europe and Australia.