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Thread: An idea for ending loadshedding

  1. #11
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    The problem with making those who DO pay, will pay more for electricity is that the who DO NOT pay are not affected. Even if I gave all the money I make to ESKOM it will not change the fact that there is a very very large proportion of the "public" who simply pay nothing, owe a lot and probably never will pay anything.

    As all things go in this country it is a ever dwindling middle class that sponsors everybody else. (Ever dwindling because they (us) all move abroad eventually)

    Even if we did fix ESKOM and we had 100% power 100% of the time 70% of the population will still not pay for it no matter how cheap it costs because they have become accustomed to not paying and having the debt written off.

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leecatt View Post
    And I appreciate your point point of view!

    Sent from my SM-A705FN using Tapatalk
    Its just a difference of opinion on this particular matter - its good to bounce ideas around.
    I'm just tired of having my family life and my small business be affected by ESKOM all the time. Yes I spent R25k on a diesel generator but I prefer not to use it if I don't have to.

  3. #13
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by adrianh View Post
    Its just a difference of opinion on this particular matter - its good to bounce ideas around.
    I'm just tired of having my family life and my small business be affected by ESKOM all the time. Yes I spent R25k on a diesel generator but I prefer not to use it if I don't have to.
    That was the whole point of this post.

    I am also tired of having to endure rolling blackouts (call it what it is ) seeing that I have taken reasonable steps to minimize our consumption.
    We use on average 120 units a month.

    Unfortunately with these complex problems, there is no "one size fits all" solution, but we as electricians are problem solvers and it's great that, as you say, ideas are being bounced around.

    Who knows, maybe someone who is in a position to influence policy is following this forum and picks up on something that can be of assistance.


    Cheers and peace out ... Derek

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  5. #14
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    Its all about planning...

    think about...

    insulate just below the roof tiles.

    or blow the the hot air out in summer and rotate the fan to suck the hot air in during winter.

    spend a bit of cash on decent UV protection for your windows.

    gas geyser

    gas stove.

    fit solar panels on the roof with minimal batteries (they cost money and need to be replaced) for essential services...CCTV ...alarm...gates...security lights... and a light in each room....increase your battery backup in the alarm etc to last 12 hours min...or buy a small smart charger and a couple spare 7 amp/hr batteries and rotate them when they get tired.

    run everything flat out during the day ...during peak sun time...pool pumps ...fridges freezers all on max ...even the aircons if you have...keep the house cool even if you are not home....when the sun goes down ...switch off what doesnt need to run and idle the fridges etc ...why the hell have you got a months worth of food in the fridge in any case it not like there is going to be a zombie apocalypse tomorrow... let the supermarket keep the stuff cold and store the stuff.

    For companies ...start investing in solar panels... the company is in full swing during the day ...when the sun shines...run as much as you can off the solar ...keep the battery backup to a min. ..its not cheap to replace ...even when the load shedding goes away (if it every does)...this shyte hole is falling through its own a$$ ...nothing gets better we just try harder to make it better for ourselves... dont get me started with the trucks which have to trim the trees on the freeway because some ahole has looted your rates and taxes...lets just leave that there.

    You may not be able to reverse your meter because they will replace it as soon as you notify them of your intentions to install solar ...but open your eyes ...a business operates during the day ...your electricity account will reduce monthly by consuming solar power instead of eskom power ...you cant loose... dont waste money on batteries ...rather focus on solar power during peak hours and switch to eskom when the sun goes down ...just instal enough batteries to keep critical services running if there is no eskom.

    dont waste money on cheap crap LED lights ...it gets expensive to replace them all the time.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  6. #15
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    Great topic Derek
    It’s like Ians suggest “planning” Everyone needs to start planning even if it’s just a gas hob or a solar geyser, but you cannot afford to do nothing and wait for Eskom. I started last year by installing a solar geyser and shortly after installing solar panels and inverter, it was expensive but by planning I still managed to keep costs reasonably low and have not looked back since. People complain off the cost of excessive prices but if you are an electrician you already have the advantage to do your own installation and save thousands.
    I saw a big drop in my Eskom bill and think why did I never do this earlier. I have now after a year taken some of the savings and plough it into more solar power.
    The way I see it as soon as Ramaphosa is thrown out the next president will again have different priorities, so we all need to become self sufficient.

  7. #16
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rifrug View Post
    Great topic Derek
    It’s like Ians suggest “planning” Everyone needs to start planning even if it’s just a gas hob or a solar geyser, but you cannot afford to do nothing and wait for Eskom. I started last year by installing a solar geyser and shortly after installing solar panels and inverter, it was expensive but by planning I still managed to keep costs reasonably low and have not looked back since. People complain off the cost of excessive prices but if you are an electrician you already have the advantage to do your own installation and save thousands.
    I saw a big drop in my Eskom bill and think why did I never do this earlier. I have now after a year taken some of the savings and plough it into more solar power.
    The way I see it as soon as Ramaphosa is thrown out the next president will again have different priorities, so we all need to become self sufficient.
    Yes Sir

    Gas stove - done

    No hot water geyser - done

    That's already half the battle won.

    All lights are 12v. No solar panel or wind charger. Supply is from 2 crocodile clamps onto the car's battery in the garage. Total 40 Watts. Battery charges tomorrow when I drive down the road.

    Already totally off grid as far as water is concerned. Still the best investment that I've made. A good water harvesting and storage system.

    My next move will be a solar panel and small inverter to supply only the 0.37 Kw water pump and the fridge when there's a blackout.

    I have negotiated with the boss that the washing machine does not need a standby supply.

    Like I said, I have taken reasonable steps to use as little Municipal electricity as possible, but there's always room for improvement.


    Cheers and peace out ... Derek

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