The 7 best ways to stop load shedding

**duncan drennan** · 05-Feb-08, 08:57 AM

Well, as I've said before, would you prefer Eskom to turn them off for you?

The full article details how to minimise aircon effect on peak demand, and stay

It turns out that this is my most popular blog post so far (graded on traffic on the day of posting) - whoohoo! Also got a couple of interesting leads as a result of it. Must follow up now!

**Dave A** · 05-Feb-08, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by dsd

Well, as I've said before, would you prefer Eskom to turn them off for you?

They already do

To some extent I'm revving you - it's really about using the aircon in moderation and only as necessary. Believe me, there are times when it is necessary.

I think we're going to have to talk about heaters come winter - when our real peak demand kicks in!

An idle thought about the 15% of Eskom power that goes to airconditioning - have you any idea how much of that is being used by the mines (who can't switch off their airconditioning and still operate)?

**duncan drennan** · 05-Feb-08, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dave A

To some extent I'm revving you

Yeah, I know....and I'm just revving back a little bit

Originally Posted by Dave A

An idle thought about the 15% of Eskom power that goes to airconditioning - have you any idea how much of that is being used by the mines (who can't switch off their airconditioning and still operate)?

It is probably quite significant! I hadn't thought about mines, but I did consider cold chains (food, drugs, etc.) that could not be turned off. Eskom's "conservative" estimate for peak savings is 600MW (which I used, and is from the National Response to the electricity crisis.

PS. posted a reply on my blog to your comment

**Dave A** · 05-Feb-08, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by dsd

PS. posted a reply on my blog to your comment

You mean my comment got approved

Don't mind me - I'm just a bit whacky today

**duncan drennan** · 05-Feb-08, 04:01 PM

Maybe you should turn your air conditioner back on.....

**murdock** · 06-Feb-08, 06:34 AM

what about moving back into a cave or a mud hut next to a forrest and a river so you have plenty of fire wood and water.

i believe we should conserve energy but just because of some fools bad planning we must all now suffer

**duncan drennan** · 06-Feb-08, 04:51 PM

I just got this comment on my blog, and the guy then called me and told me he has emailed over 300 people about this (DA, ANC, VF, Solidarity, and more). His attitude is really positive which is great to hear.

I have put my 2 geysers on swimming pool timers and my electricity bill was reduced with R460 the last 8 months average compared to the previous 8 months average.

My geysers are only switched on 1,5 hours in the middle of the night and again 1,5 hours in the middle of the day. We are 5 people in the house and have warm water all the time.

My usage also went down 44,4 % over that period (from average 2250 units/month to average 1250 units/month).

I have ignoramuses that belittled that. They even said it is impossible, my accounting is wrong etc. Even the technical director said in the newspapers that it does not work.

However, my accounts proves my point.

I have done my MBL at the School of Business Leadership, UNISA.

To me it seems quite clear how we landed in this situation (mismanagement and cost-cutting seem to be the culprits of our immediate demise), but how we respond to it will show our mettle as people of this country.

We have a great country which is certainly worth fighting for. Let's take these challenges head on with the resilience of the tough people that we are.