energy

Tumble dryers may be convenient, but they use a lot of electricity, and often shrink and damage your clothes. Wherever possible, hang your clothes on the washing line to dry in the sun. We are lucky in South Africa in that we often have many sunny days, even in the middle of winter. Make a point of saving up your washing until the sun comes out, and then make the most of the free energy!

Saving the planet might start as simply as putting on a jersey or hat when you are cold, before turning on the heater.

Similarly, stripping down a few layers on a hot day means that you need to use the air conditioning unit less to keep you cool. Heaters and air conditioners are energy-intensive, and cutting down on your usage will save you money, and will reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burned to generate electricity.