The World Economic Forum says the carbon footprint of homes represents around 20% of all global CO2 emissions, with the residential sector expected to become the most prominent electricity consumer by 2050. This renders households key actors in reaching the 1.5 °C goal laid out under the Paris Agreement, which was reaffirmed as part of the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan discussed at COP27. As the globe experienced its fifth-warmest September-November period in a 143-year record, it is imperative for everyone to play their part.
This is according to Dr Andrew Dickson, Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, who says climate change is the most urgent problem we face, threatening the survival of humanity as well as entire ecosystems. “It is already having a massive effect in South Africa with droughts, floods and heatwaves increasing in the country over the last decade. But unless we know and understand the impact that we each have, taking meaningful action is almost impossible.
“In South Africa, where electricity is produced mainly from coal, reducing electricity consumption helps both the environment as well as household finances, especially as local electricity prices are now some of the highest on the African continent,” he says.
Electricity prices have increased by over 300% over the past decade, while incomes have come under pressure as a result of the pandemic, rising inflation, fuel costs and food prices. Added to this, the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) approved an 18.65% electricity price hike to take place in April 2023, with a 12.74% tariff increase for 2024/2025.
“Knowing which appliances use the most energy, and using them in a considered way, helps you to reduce your environmental impact, save energy and ultimately save the consumer money,” explains Dr Dickson.
Air conditioners, heaters, geysers, pool pumps, ovens and fridges are well-known energy hogs. Some ways to save energy could include:
- Changing the setting on an air conditioner by one degree;
- Running a heater for one hour or less per day in winter;
- Scheduling a geyser or pool pump to only operate at specific times; or
- Switching out old appliances for newer, eco-friendly models, if possible, and doing so in a way that doesn’t impact the environment too much, such as by recycling or donating the older items. By changing their appliances, consumers could save R1 000 annually because they won’t be consuming as much electricity.
Carbon footprints measure how much carbon dioxide is emitted by an individual, organisation or country. To understand your carbon footprint, you have to evaluate home energy use, waste production, travel/commuting and even diet.
To help with managing home consumption, CBI-electric: low-voltage has launched a carbon calculator to empower consumers to gain an understanding of how much carbon dioxide they are responsible for releasing into the atmosphere when running their homes. By understanding our impact and the changes that we can make it, is possible for each person to live more responsibly. “South Africans produce 7.34 tons of carbon dioxide per person. If everyone could reduce their carbon footprint even by 10%, it would make a massive difference.
“We believe consumers need to be equipped with the appropriate tools to track and manage their energy consumption, and knowing which appliances are using the most electricity means people can strategise how to save. Most importantly, as we observe Davos 2023, the World Economic Forum has highlighted how 2022 revealed that energy transition, climate crisis and food security are inextricably linked. We need to do everything we can as we battle against the threat of global warming to ensure a better future for all,” concludes Dr Dickson.
Go to https://cbi-lowvoltage.co.za for more information or follow CBI-electric: low voltage on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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