Saving electricity can be such a big headache , but given Eskom's requirement that everyone needs to save at least 10% one needs to consider ways and means of cutting our electricity usage by 10%. There are various options that you can do to achieve that goal. One of the quickest ways to do this is to install a programmable thermostat in the house.
Programmable Thermostats
Installing a programmable thermostat in your home will definitely assist in saving electricity and prove to be a useful way in lowering your electricity bills. All you need is to get a programmable thermostat for every electricity guzzling unit you have inside the house. This is one effective way to manage your electricity consumption.
The major cost drivers in your electrical consumption are the heating and cooling units i.e.) your geyser and air conditioning units. They can range from 50% to 70% of the total electricity demand in a home. The thermostat works by lowering the use of electricity by 1% for every eight hours of use of the cooling or heating unit. Considering this significance, you can't ignore the importance of deciding properly on the type of thermostat that you will install - it sure beats manually turning your geyser on and off - sometime you forget to switch it back on and end up with cold water. This will probably happen on the coldest winter day.
Types of Thermostats
Thermostats can generally be classified as electromechanical and electronic or programmable. Each has their own features for your own use and convenience. They also have certain issues that you should consider for your own circumstances.
Electromechanical Thermostats
These devices respond to temperature changes in the environment to properly adjust the energy required to be supplied by the thermostat. Most of these are made of mercury bulbs. Mercury is used to properly contact to the environment and trigger the heating or cooling action. These devices should be handled with care because mercury is poisonous and harmful to people. There are also electromechanical types that make use of sensing devices, either a strip or a bi-metal coil, rather than the mercury. It is therefore important that you contract a professional electrician to install the thermostat.
Electronic or Programmable Thermostats
Electronic thermostats use elements that are sensitive to heat. The circuits in the system will then turn on the heating or cooling component of the equipment depending on the temperature changes. These are what are known commonly known as programmable thermostats. A programmable thermostat is better as it removes the human element - how may times have you forgotten to switch your geyser on again. Even the most organized person can forget when day to day diststractions get in the way. Setting the thermostat could be one of those important things that you might just forget. This won't help save electricity.
The programmable thermostat effortlessly the task for you at all times. You don't need to worry about setting the right temperature when you aren't at home if you have this kind installed in your household. It solves the problem by setting the program to conform with the time or temperature in the environment. You can easily schedule the temperature to change depending on the activities that you will do throughout the week. It saves electricity energy, as well your time and effort.
Non-Programmable Digital Thermostats
These devices use solid state heat sensing components known as a thermistor. They are easier to install and can be handled by any competent handyman. However, it is always best to hire a professional electricianto avoid any mistakes and undesirable consequences such as no hot water on the coldest winter day in living memory.
Conclusion
All you need do now is choose the type and brand of thermostat that suits your requirements and get it installed. You'll find that the thermostat will quickly pay for its self and you will go a long way in meeting that electricity saving target set by Eskom.