SA Residents’ Answer to Loadshedding

A survey conducted by Synovate, a global marketing research company, recently discovered that 90% of South Africans practice energy conservation to reduce energy usage and reduce the necessity for “loadshedding.”

Because of the ongoing electricity crisis in South Africa and the subsequent power outages, or loadshedding by the electricity providers, residents have found it necessary to do their part to conserve energy and keep their electricity costs down.

The survey uncovered that 12% of respondents used their stoves less often; 19% switch off electric appliances as opposed to placing them on stand-by; 45% switched off their water heaters when not in use, or wrapped them in insulation blankets.

Synovate reports that only 37% of South Africans have access to alternative energy sources with the majority made up of Durban solar energy recipients who enjoy sunny weather most of the year.

Largely, South Africans are increasingly becoming commited to practicing energy conservation and attempting to make it an active part of everyday life.  In addition, the survey shows that they have welcomed the opportunity to explore and invest in more environmentally friendly ways of using electricity.