Solar panels are the energy of the future and like all discoveries, it’s always present at a high price on the market. But analysis shows that since 2015 solar panel prices are constantly reducing since there are now many manufacturers or providers of solar panels.
It’s easy to install solar panels but to avoid high maintenance costs it’s preferable to use a reliable manufacturer.

2. Panels only work in clear sky/weather

Solar panels work in any type of clouds days. But their productivity level is strictly dependent on the clarity of the clouds. For example, on a rainy cloud solar panels can work on average up to 35% of their productivity level.

3. Panels are dangerous to the environment.
Solar panel parts/ elements are strictly made from recyclable materials.

4. Panels required constant maintenance.
Once install solar panels don’t need to be moved. So they don’t require a lot of maintenance. But as with every machine, they require a periodic inspection (Just to make sure that everything works perfectly and that there’s no alert for any upcoming issue)

5. Panels installation prices are estimated according to the size of your home
When installing solar panels, many elements are considered, such as the direction of the sun, the shape of your roof, etc.
The technician must make sure that the panels are positioned to best capture the sunlight.

6. Panels don’t have a lifetime.
The average maximum lifetime for solar panels is 25 years and then the materials can be recycled and replaced.

7. Solar panels damaged the quality of your roof
Note that Solar panels are placed on top of the roof, not on the roof, there’s usually a gap between the panels and the roof which in a way protects your roof from any damage. It’s believed that where the panels are placed on your roof, by covering the section, they play a form of protection against any natural damages that can impact that section of your roof.

8. Solar panels reduce the price of electricity.

Having solar panels allows you to save on electricity prices as you depend less on the electricity provided by your municipality and more on natural resources.

9. The more panels, the less the electricity bill will be
Solar panels are installed based on the size of the house and the amount of energy that can be potentially used.
You usually don’t buy more than what you will use.

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What usually happens during a blackout is that the electricity voltage level drop from its required and normal level and suddenly comes back.

Because certain home appliances are required to work at a certain level of voltage, a sudden change can destroy the system.

How to protect your appliance during a blackout

1. Purchase a surge suppressor

A surge protector helps you to protect your electronic appliance against any power surge by basically transferring the extra voltage to the protector and only accepting the required voltage quantity to the appliance.

2. Unplug electronic appliances before the power is restored.

Remember a power surge/blackout can only affect appliances that are connected to power. So the simplest way to protect your appliance during a blackout is it unplug and wait to plug it back after a few minutes when to power is back.

The longer you wait, the safer it is.

3. Upgrade inadequate wiring

It’s advisable to hire a professional electrician to check your wiring system as any bad wiring can affect the appliance connected to it.  Have your indoor appliances checked frequently.

4. Buy appliances that meet the actual standards and requirements of quality marks.

When buying electrical appliances make sure that they can resist or it’s able to take voltage fluctuations.

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It usually interrupts by the electricity supplier of the country.

Many causes can lead to a power outage such as weather conditions or natural disasters, equipment failure, human error, Wildlife interference/even animal interference, High energy demand, planned power outages, and cyberattacks.

How to get ready for a power outage?

During a power outage, the main concern and preoccupation is the safety of everyone in the house.

1. Purchase flashlights that work with batteries and make sure they are fully charged and allocated in strategic places in your house.
2. Have candles and matches available and ready to use – Make sure they are in a safe area far from flammable objects.
3. Have a first aid kit available in an accessible location of your household.
4. Turn off all the electrical appliances or equipment of your household.
5. Leave one light on, it will allow you to know when the electricity is back.
6. Purchase a food thermometer as it will help you to indicate the temperatures of your refrigerator/ freezer to determine if the food is safe.
7. Do a stock of non-perishable food and water.
8. Purchase a power bank to be able to charge your phone during a power outage.

What can be impacted during a power outage

1. No network – You might experience an unstable network or no network at all.
2. No light
3. An unexpected interruption can affect the electrical equipment/ appliance of your household.
4. ATMs – Make sure to always have some cash around you
5. Grocery store – It’s advisable to always keep a stock of food available at home.

In conclusion, A power outage is not a joke, it’s something that needs to be taken with a lot of consideration, to the homeowner it can mean more than just being deprived of electricity for a certain period. It can lead to the ruin of perishable food or also having burst pipes, which can lead to water damage.

The post What is a Power Outage? appeared first on Powertime.

Although certain products can be purchased without any expertise, other products such as electrical products need more precautions and knowledge of the market.

Safety tips before buying electrical equipment or material

1. Know the origin of the product

Before purchasing a product an electrical product online, it’s always advised to know where it’s coming from or where it has been manufactured.

An e-commerce website with a co.za address doesn’t automatically mean that the product is manufactured in South Africa or/also that the seller is based in the same country.

2. Analyze the webpage

“Sounds too good to be too true”

Always search for red flags on the website, Elements that might trick the authenticity of the product you would like to purchase.

For example, if the webpage or website keeps on mentioning how real and authentic the product is this must alert your attention.

3. Compare prices of similar products

The price of the product can directly tell you if the product is legit or not.

A cheaper product or a product with many promotions and discounts code isn’t always a good product.

Always compare the product of one webpage or website to a similar product provided by competitors.

4. Ask for advice

Before searching/buying an electrical product online, always ask for advice from an expert in the industry. Always make sure to have the proper details of the product before processing the purchase.

5. Be loyal to your brand

It’s always advisable to purchase online products with a popular branded name or just a brand with which you are familiar.

6. Search for review

Reviews from the experience of previous buyers can help you to decide on the purchase.

But remember, an online review can be gamed, A company can pay to receive positive feedback.

If it’s too good to be true, don’t buy!

7. Online technical support

Electrical material always requires some assistance.

When buying electrical equipment online, you should also make sure that the website has online support willing to assist when needed.

8. Check the return policy and warranty

Make sure that the company has a return policy available on its website before purchasing any electrical products.

We are never 100% safe when purchasing an electrical product, so ensure that the e-commerce company provides a warranty period for the electrical products they are offering.

In conclusion,

Buying a cheap electrical cable, socket or plug online can be a money saver but can also become a dangerous product for your household and be more costly than your money.

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The best way to save electricity is to first understand how you are spending your electricity. Of course, we cannot guess how it’s spent in your household but we can help you in saving during this season by providing some saving electricity tips.

1. Make full use of natural light

Make use of natural lights during the day, a single southwest-facing window can light up more than 20 times its area, and by turning off unnecessary lights, you can see a large improvement in your electricity usage.

2. Use table lamps

You can also reduce your electricity usage by turning off different ceiling lighting and making use of table lamps ( which are energy efficient ), in different places of your house such as your office, working section, living room, and kitchen. You can also use a motion sensor for interior lighting.

3. Manage your house temperature

Surprisingly enough, during winter  an electric heater consumes more energy than other devices in the house . Manage the temperature of your house by only using the heater in rooms that are occupied.

4. Wash your laundry with cold water

Yes! You can wash your laundry by switching from hot water to cold water. This will allows you to save hot water for only important use such as showering and cooking.

5. Make use of a kettle

The stove uses more electricity than the kettle, so it’s more efficient to boil your water by using a kettle than a stove, do not overfill your kettle when boiling, use only as much as it’s required.

6. Switch off your stove when not in use

Always make sure to switch off your stove when you don’t use it, replace damaged stove plates regularly, as when it’s not in good quality, they tend to require more heat, and also make use of your stove only when cooking multiple dishes at a time. Always match the size of the pot with the size of your stove’s plates.

7. Be efficient with refrigerating

Ensure the fridge doors is close, Also ensuring that the door seal is of good quality.  Do not let the fridge open while doing other things, and also make sure to not put hot liquid or solid element in the fridge.

8. Unplug your unused appliances

Make sure to unplug unused electronics devices as standby power can account for more than 6% of your average household’s annual electricity use. Make sure to unplug appliances such as televisions, iron, and kettle.

9. Shift to the solar system

It might be difficult to convert the entire house into a solar system but certain things can be plugged into a small solar system in order to reduce the electricity usage. For example, you can change to an outdoor solar lights system, device solar chargers, and also by using a solar system for small appliances.

10. Manage your geyser

Switch your geyser off, if unused or if you leave on holiday. You can also install a timer in order to control the operational times of your geyser, which can increase up to 15% in electricity saving.

In Conclusion,

It’s advisable for everyone to reduce their energy bills in order to adapt and not get impacted by the semestrial tariff increase of this year. By carefully following the tips listed above you can easily reduce up to 25% in electricity bills.

The post How To Save Electricity In Winter appeared first on Powertime.

•  Install draughts to fill possible gaps in your doors, windows and floor so that the warm air can stay in the room.
• Try to not leave appliance on stand-by such as TVs, Mobile phone charger, and all other electrical devices.
• Switch your light bulbs to energy-saving LED bulbs
• Install ceiling insulation in your home
• You can use Gas rather than Electricity (Gas is much cheaper as prices vary from time to time)
•  Regulate you geyser, switch it off during the day when no-one is at home
• Let the sun in when it is sunny
• Rather use Hot water bottle than a heater
•  Get battery operated lights
• Make use of a generator

Ensure you have all necessary equipment for winter to keep you and your family safe and warm, without going over your electricity budget bill.

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