Article by: Jessica Solomons
With winter fast approaching we’re all hauling out the heaters and electric blankets in preparation for the cold nights ahead, but before you turn on your non-eco friendly appliances take a look at some green alternatives to keeping warm.
Save with Solar
According to www.homemakersonline.co.za South Africa has some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world so what better reason to install a solar heating system in your home today? With the rising cost of electricity and our dwindling natural resources, it makes financial and environmental sense to go solar. Need more convincing? With solar heaters you won’t be affected by the endless power cuts us South Africans have come to expect. Now that’s incentive! For a quote and more information visit www.homecomfort.co.za.
Eco Heat
Eco Heat, as the name implies, is a company dedicated to producing eco-friendly heating products right here in South Africa. One of their most popular appliances is the infrared heater which, unlike the traditional elemental heater, is designed to reduce your carbon footprint by warming only the human body and not the ambient temperature, thereby conserving energy and saving you big bucks – an estimated R750 a year to be precise! Meet you at the store??
Fashionable and Eco-Friendly Fireplaces
If you love the idea of having a fire burning throughout winter, why not opt for a more environmentally friendly design. Earth Fire, in Diepriver, manufactures stunning ceramic fireplaces which, thanks to their clay bodies, can keep a room warm for up to two hours after the fire has gone out, meaning you’ll be less likely to turn on those heaters later in the night. Another perk of this product is that it uses dry wood to optimize its efficiency which causes less harmful emissions meaning you can enjoy those winter nights curled in front of the fire knowing you’re doing your part to help the environment.
Be more Eco-Nomical
While heated towel rails are a luxury we all love, they can use a lot of electricity. But if you can’t bring yourself to part with those toasty towels, and we don’t blame you, you can take small steps to save energy (and money). Instead of turning on your towel rails hours before you really need to, make sure you only put them on a few minutes before your bath and turn them off once you’re finished soaking in the tub. That way you still get your towel nice and warm but you save on electricity. Good for you and good for the environment!
The liveeco team
