Future Light
 
In response to a question posed to me by Waine, it dawned on me that some people might not understand why energy efficiency anywhere and everywhere is critically important to those wishing to make a move in the future to an off-grid Electricity System i.e. a system where you produce most if not all of your own electricity using Eskom grid supply as a back-up.

Why is this a goal you might ask? Well, one only has to look at the recent happenings with Eskom - their lack of initiative, corruption, theft has left the South African consumer and businesses reeling from massive tariff hikes. And with the 3 x 45% hikes already tabled with NERSA the picture being painted is not getting any better.

Even if your household can afford these enlarged bills, I don’t think everyone is comprehending the entire picture. EVERYTHING will increase, CPI will shoot up, Interest Rates will adjust upwards to combat this - Your Bond, Your Car, Your Debt - All will increase as a result.

The food that you buy will increase because as we all well know the food industry needs no second invitation to increase their prices willy nilly.

Jobs will be lost, businesses will close down - if one takes into account all prior and future electricity increases by 2010 you will be paying 240% more than you were in 2008, and by 2012 500% will be the increase you will be subject too.

One has to start now, installing LED’s or Solar Water Heating or Energy Efficient Showerheads - will free up much needed cash flow come April 2010 when the 1st increase takes hold. If you were to wait your ability to afford anything else will be hampered by the expected increases in all costs.

The Off-Grid goal is my businesses aim - I would like to assist ALL South Africans to achieve this, but it is still Cost Prohibitive and very few people can afford it.

But other products are affordable and more than that they make MUCH more financial sense than your typical products. They save you money and pay for themselves in a given time frame.

They also set you up for the future if you have LED Lighting, Solar Water Heating, Efficient Water fittings, Gas Stoves/Fridges - what are you left with? A much reduced energy usage and therefore cost. In fact if you have ALL of the above installed one can easily expect a 50% - 80% reduced energy bill.

So therefore if one eventually does decide to go off-grid with Photovoltaics, Wind Power etc you now have a MUCH smaller system to install - your requirements and therefore system costs will be substantially reduced - you will never again care about what Eskom does!

Of course one has to take into account maintenance but based on the below facts it is substantially lower compared with en-ending monthly electricity bills…..

  • Solar Water Heating: 5 Year Gaurantee, 15+ Year Life Span
  • LED Lighting: 50,000 Hours Use, If used 3 hours a day it would last 45 years
  • Gas Stoves/Fridges - Reduced electronics, connect the gas and go!
  • Shower Heads: Made out of a material similar to teflon, you’ll never need to replace it!
So there you go - a Guide to My Off-Grid Goals!
 


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