9 Ways every Homeowner should prepare for a Power Outage

Due to weather conditions, accidents, aging power grids and so much more, power outages are becoming more common than they used to be.

Once the power goes out, you should use these tips to help you survive an electrical outage.

Turn your car into a generator

A power inverter, which turns DC current from your car into AC current for your electrical gadgets, is the next best thing to a generator when it comes to surviving a blackout. Small units can recharge your computer or phone. Larger ones can even power a fridge or power tools.

Conserve batteries

LED flashlights and lanterns have a huge advantage over incandescent models – they allow batteries to last much longer!

Purchase a backup power solution

When all the power is gone and you want to continue with your day to day activities it can be quite difficult. Off Grid has a wide range of backup power solutions, from power banks to UPS devices. If you don’t want to be inconvenienced a backup power solution is the way to go.

Save food with ice

A couple of hours without power can cost you an arm and a leg if your food in your fridge or freezer spoils. Fill freezer bags with water and keep them in the freezer to keep it colder for longer or transfer them to the fridge or a cooler.

Don’t wreck your TV

When the power comes back on, there will probably be power surges that could destroy electronics such as your TV, computer and other appliances. So the best thing to do is to unplug everything!

Don’t use candles

Flashlights produce more light and they won’t burn your house down.

Keep the fridge closed

The less you open your fridge and freezer doors, longer your food will stay cold.

Tap your geyser

It’s your built in emergency hot water supply. If you’re ever in need of hot water, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

Get cash

In a power outage, it’s best to have cash on hand. Some stores may stay open, but they probably won’t be able to use their card machines. So keep emergency cash close by.

If the power goes out, sometimes you have to prepare for the worst – like not having power for a few hours. Why not plan ahead and make sure you’re prepared!

5 simple ways to cut your electricity bill in half

The first thing to do is evaluate how much you’re actually spending monthly on your electric bill and from there you can determine whether you feel it is necessary to cut down on your electricity use or not.

Looking for affordable, reliable backup power solutions for those unfortunate power cuts? Take a look through Off Grid's website where they have a wide range of equipment, from UPS devices to KVA systems.

• Program the Thermostat

Give the air conditioning a break during the workday. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average households electricity bill in half.

• Unplug

Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy – and generate heat – as long as they are attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% - 10% of residential electricity use.

• Wash Laundry with Cold Water

The best way to wash your clothing is to use cold water instead of hot water. Not only does it wash your clothes effectively, but you’ll save hundreds of Rands a year.

• Consider the Light Bulbs you are using

You can…
> Turn off lights you aren’t using to save.
> Turn off a single 100Watt light bulb from running constantly to save.
> Replace light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs.

• Think of Appliances you use but don’t really need

Instead of wasting gallons of water by putting a few plates in the dishwasher, hand wash them instead. Work a different look and let your hair air-dry whenever possible. Sweep your floors instead of using the vacuum. The list goes on and on. Once you start thinking of the electric gadgets you use each day, you might discover there was actually once life before them. Give it a try!

Always remember that conserving energy isn’t just saving you money, its saving the environment as well!

The Effects a Power Outage can have on your Computer

Do you unplug your computer during severe storms? If not, you may want to start.

It’s long been known that frequent electrical storms and power outages can damage electronic devices or full-out destroy them, and that includes computers. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying or misguided. The worst part is that power outages aren’t the only concern.

What are the risks of electrical failure? How do they impact your computer? And what can you do to protect your computer from being fried?

The electricity flowing through your home is not constant. Ideally it would be, but the reality is that electrical currents can sometimes drop in voltage and other times surge with extra power. All of these can have undesirable effects.

When power completely shuts off, it’s known as a blackout. These tend to occur due to issues beyond your control (e.g., power station disruptions, damaged electrical lines, etc.) but sometimes they can be self-inflicted (e.g., by shorting or overloading circuits).

And then there’s a similar issue called brownout, which is when your electrical voltage experiences a temporary drop without fully blacking out. If you’ve ever seen your lights dim for unknown reasons, it was probably due to a brownout. Brownouts can be intentional as a way to reduce electrical loads and prevent blackouts, though they can be unintentional as well.

On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got the power surge, which is when an appliance receives more electricity than intended for at least three nanoseconds. Surges can be caused by a number of factors, including short circuits and electrical line malfunctions. If the increased voltage only lasts one or two nanoseconds, it’s a power spike, which is most commonly caused by lighting.

The only fool proof way to protect your computer against electrical anomalies is to unplug it completely until the danger has passed. Seriously, it has to be physically disconnected. Flipping your power switch to “off” isn’t going to cut it. This is the only method of protection with a 100 percent success rate against power outages and power surges.

That being said, some of us are probably going to ignore the storm and stay plugged in regardless. It wouldn’t be the smartest move, but definitely understandable. In that case, there are two semi-effective alternative methods.

Against power outages, you’ll want an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This apparatus contains a backup battery that will continue to provide power to your computer even when your power goes out. Most UPS devices only last a few minutes, but that should be enough time for you to issue a proper shutdown.

UPS devices can also come equipped with surge-protected outlets. If you live in a building or location that frequently experiences outages a UPS will be a strong investment. If you need help picking one, Off Grid has a wide range to choose from.

Sudden changes in electrical voltage can cause real damage to your system and/or your hardware. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking it would never happen to you. Protect yourself early, protect yourself adequately, and don’t forget to back up your data!

Here’s how to always be prepared for when the power goes out

It may be difficult to imagine, but people actually got along without electric power for thousands of years. Some people still get along without it today! But in this day and age, not being able to switch on the lights or turn on your electrical devices is something we just aren’t prepared for…

Even so, things happen, like power outages and sometimes they can last a while. So, being prepared is a wise investment.

The definition of “prepared” will vary depending on where you live and the events surrounding the outage. But no matter the time or place, the general areas of preparation remain the same.

Here’s how to always be fully prepared for when the power goes out:

Light

There’s no substitute for investing in a few quality flashlights (Klarus Light) and fresh batteries. A battery operated lantern that offers general rather than focused illumination is also well worth it. Experts recommend not using candles because of the fire hazard.

Communications

Cordless telephones don't work when the power fails, and cell phones will run out of juice within a few hours. So, be sure you have at least one corded phone in your house. For your cell phones – buy a power bank from Off Grid or a charging adapter that plugs into the lighter in your car.

Heat

If you live in a cold climate, you'll need to figure out a method for keeping at least one room warm. If you already have gas logs, a wood-burning stove, or a fireplace, you should be in good shape.

Water

A secondary source of water is especially important if you have a well with an electric pump. Once the pump stops, the water stops, too. But even if you have city- or county-supplied water, your water could be affected if the power is out long enough.

Food/Cooking

Depending on your situation, you may be able to drive to the nearest eatery that still has power. But that isn't always possible. So keep food on hand that doesn't require cooking or refrigeration, such as crackers, peanut butter, snack bars, bread, and canned fruit.

This is one time that buying in bulk may not be a cost-saver — giant cans of food may go bad without refrigeration if you can't finish them in one sitting. If you can plan ahead and stock mostly items you'll eat eventually anyway, your emergency food pantry doesn't need to cost much extra. Just be sure to rotate the food periodically to keep it fresh.

Preparing for a power outage is an investment, but the peace of mind you and your family will receive from knowing you're prepared is an ongoing dividend. And if the power does eventually go out, the payoff will rapidly appreciate.

Useful tips to keep in mind when buying a power bank

Your own personal requirements will determine what kind of charger you need to have. If you don’t carry too many devices when you travel, then you can buy a small and low capacity power bank just to charge your cell phone. If you need to charge a iPad, tablet, etc. then it is important to have one with a higher capacity.

1. Capacity

The main attribute associated to a power bank is its capacity. You cant exactly calculate how many times a specific power bank can charge your device, but keep this rule in mind – more mAH = more capacity.

If you have a cell phone with a 1500mAH battery, then ideally 1500mAH can fully charge your cell phone once. When you are buying a portable power bank, make sure it can charge the battery of a specific device. Why not buy yourself a power bank today, take a look at Off Grid’s website where there is a wide variety of power banks to choose from at an affordable price.

2. USB Charging

Most current power bank chargers have built-in USB charging capability. Some of the older models don’t have this feature. After you have fully charged your power bank at home, it is a simple matter to connect the device to your cellphone with an adapter and your phone will start charging instantly.

3. Price & Quality

Apart from battery strength, one other thing which can help decide which power bank charger is best for you is the price! However, you should never buy a portable power bank which either uses refurbished batteries or which doesn’t contain the basic features.

4. Portability

One of the main reasons to buy a power bank is the fact that it is portable. The ability to charge your devices on the move because you can simply take a charger with you is a huge plus!

Because of the large number of personal devices that we now have, such as smartphones, tablets, iPads, cameras, GPS and iPods to name a few, it is basically a necessity to have one if you want to make sure you never run out of battery power on your device.

5. Power Bank Recommendations

Off Grid can provide you with a wide range of different backup power solutions, one being power banks. Visit the website today and browse through some of the devices on offer, if you’re looking for a power bank that is both affordable and high quality then this is where you’ll find it.

A portable power bank charger can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of your devices. We need them in our everyday lives and a power bank makes it possible to keep our communications going after our device batteries have died.

10 helpful tricks and tips to use when the power goes out

Power outages are more than just sitting in the dark. The fridge stops running, everything starts to defrost, plus the AC and fans stop working. Out come the torches and you have to wait patiently for the power to return. When the power goes out at your home, make sure to remember these helpful tips and tricks…

  v  When the power does fail somehow and the lights go out, leaving you in pitch darkness, don’t jump up immediately to find your flashlight and candles. Take a minute or two to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. You will be surprised how much better you can see and you won’t be as likely to walk into a table, chair or door.

  v  Keep some board games like chess, dominos, puzzles or UNO handy to keep yourself busy. Think of ways in which people amused themselves before the invention of electricity.

 

  v  Make sure you have at least one charged cell phone in the house. Keep a car charger handy in case the battery runs low.

  v  If your computer is connected to a UPS device, save everything and shutdown your computer as soon as you can. Take a look at Off Grid’s website for a wide range of UPS devices and other products that supply back up power.

  v  Take out your book from the dusty corner or buy a few books beforehand. It will kill some time and keep you entertained without needing any electricity.

  v  Put lumo stickers on your flashlights and keep them in easy to see places, like the bookshelf, next to the TV, on the nightstand, etc. When the power goes out, your flashlight will be quick and easy to find!

 

  v  Candles, if used improperly, can cause fire. Make sure you light your candles away from anything flammable and in an area where they can’t be knocked over. If you can, just try use flashlights instead of candles.

  v  Never use a generator in your home, garage or other enclosed environment!

Write these helpful tricks and tips down and keep them close at hand, so next time the power goes out you are fully prepared.

For a wide range of backup power devices, ranging from power banks to UPS systems - Visit Off Grid's website today!

How to stay safe during a power outage, experts explain

Severe storms and power outages unfortunately do happen and they can devastate homes, properties and lives. How long it takes for your power to become restored depends on the amount of damage, number of outages and when it is safe for utility personnel to get to the damaged areas.

There are many steps in the assessment and restoration process, so always be sure to contact and report the outage immediately.

We want you to know how to put together a storm safety kit, here are the following things you should include in your kit:

- Drinking water
- Non-perishable foods
- Blankets, pillows and warm clothing
- Basic first aid supplies
- Any prescription medication
- Basic toiletries
- Flashlight
- Battery operated radio and clock
- Extra supply of batteries
- Cellphone
- Cash and credit cards
- all emergency numbers
- Important documents in a sealed container
- Toys, books and games
- Baby supplies (if needed)
- Pet supplies (if needed)

Always have a storm kit prepared. Keep it in a cool, dry, safe place and make sure all the members of the family know where it is. 

Make sure you are prepared if you are ever caught in the dark, take a look at Off Grid's load shedding solutions. From power banks to UPS and KVA systems - we have it all!

How to create an emergency kit for power cuts

It is always important to put together an emergency preparedness kit for power cuts for your family. A lot of extremely worried and frightened by these outages, so creating a emergency kit can make them feel more empowered and prepared.

Items to place in your emergency kit:

- Flashlights with extra batteries
- A well-stocked first aid kit
- Warming blankets
- Candles and matches or a lighter – use these with caution
- Drinking water
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Coolers and ice
- Food thermometer
- Medicines
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Hand wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Work gloves
- Power bank
- Cell phone and extra battery

It is important to remember that items from your kit that have an expiry date, such as food and medicines, need to be replenished when they go off or are used.

Always be prepared, you never know when a power cut could happen and it’s not possible to know for certain how many hours you will be without power.

For a wide range of backup power solutions, contact Off Grid today. 

100 days without a power cut - Will we see load shedding again?

Yesterday, Eskom celebrated its 100^th day without cutting the power supply. Steady progress has been made in the maintenance programme of its aging power plants, which means plant availability will be improved and a decrease in plant breakdowns.

However, news is that a substation has erupted into flames!

Video footage has come out of a massive fire engulfing Eskom’s Merensky substation in Steelpoort, Mpumalanga, following an explosion.

The employees at the scene were unable to specify the reason why the transmitter exploded on Sunday night.  Luckily the Tubatse Fire department and mine rescue team were on the scene quickly enough to control the raging fire, however the blaze was only extinguished the next morning.

Because of the blaze, entry to the substation was denied due to safety precautions. Fortunately no injuries were reported.

Take a look at the video here...

So, because of this incident, will we see load shedding in the future? We hope not!

For a wide range of load shedding and back up power solutions, contact Off Grid in Cape Town!

Beat load shedding with a Power Bank

Load shedding has been under control for a while now, and we haven’t heard anyone utter the word lately. However we do live in South Africa and load shedding is an evil that can arise at any time and place, plus let’s not forget that power surges and spikes happen too.

Off Grid has the perfect load shedding solutions for your home or your business, they can help you get through the problems with affordable and simple backup power devices.

One great way to get through load shedding is to purchase a power bank and make sure that it is always juiced up and ready to go!

This may seem like an obvious option, but it is very important. There is only so long a smartphone or tablet can last on one charge, so having a spare power bank with extra charge is a must have in load shedding or power cut situations.

Off Grid’s favourite little power banks, that are available to purchase, are:

- The 2000MAH power bank

- The ultra slim 3500MAH power bank

- The 4400MAH power bank

- The 6000MAH power bank

Of course, there are definitely alternatives to using a power bank, but if you need to keep your battery life going strong then the power bank is a  small, easy and cost effective option.

What would life be like without electricity?

Humanity has been through many stages of evolution, one discover in particular has shaped the future of our race – electricity.

Just stop for a minute and think about if one day electricity were to just disappear without any warning. There would be no power for your gadgets, no electrical devices and no lights. However there would be a bigger problem if you consider that our whole modern world is completely built around our dependence on electricity.

Electricity is in fact the beating heart of our civilization, without it, everything around us would break down and crumble into chaos. But, it is interesting to think about what would happen if we no longer had access to all our most precious things. We would have to relearn everything, how to cook, wash, transport, entertain and simply live without all the electrical devices that we use every day.

Just imagine, your neighbour would become your competition for food. Hunting would become a vital skill if you had to survive without electricity. Do you know how to hunt game with a bow and arrow? I thought not.

With the digital world vanishing, the loss of phones and the internet would force a generations that have grown up with instant access to all information to actually have to communicate face to face. Millions would be completely helpless and clueless.

So, what would life be like without electricity? There is no proper answer as great things have been accomplished without it, however at the moment our world depends on electricity for everything.

Our electricity hasn’t been completely destroyed yet, but if load shedding strikes or a power outage hits, you don’t want to get stuck in the dark. Off Grid Load Shedding Solutions can provide you with the best backup power solutions that are affordable and easy to use.

6 Advantages of using a UPS system

A UPS is an external power supply that helps in providing protection for electronic devices during load shedding or sudden disruption in the power supply.

There are many advantages of using a UPS, here are just a few:

× Protects against uncertain data loss During a power cut, a UPS will keep your system running so that you have time to save your precious data and shut down your computer or other electronic devices safely.

× Supplies power
A UPS is an alternative power source which is reliable during power surges, spikes and of course, the dreaded load shedding. In case of any of these electrical disruptions, you can resume your work for a few hours by using a UPS.

× Protects your devices from power fluctuation
Fluctuations in the power supply can lead to damage to your electronic devices. By having a UPS system, the power fluctuations will be controlled and provide a stable power output.

× Provides surge protection
Power surges, outages and spikes are all detected by a UPS system, and automatic switch-over to the battery power will take place during these conditions in order to prevent any damage.

× Maintains battery life
Once you connect a UPS to the battery, the charging of the system is maintained. This ensures that there is enough power for all your electronic devices during load shedding or a power outage.

× Gives power back to businesses
Majority of businesses connect their computers and other electronic devices to a UPS system. The main benefit is that even though there are huge power disruptions (especially with load shedding) it is not going to affect work output.

Having a UPS system is essential, not only at work, but in your home as well.  It manages to protect the most delicate parts of your machine, but still provide you with hours of power. If you are looking for a reliable, affordable UPS system, take a look at the selection from Off Grid Load Shedding Solutions!

10 things we miss the most when the electricity goes out

Going without electricity for a couple of hours is really bad, and it can be hell on earth for some people. Without electricity, even for a short time, these 10 things will be missed the most…

LIGHTS
The most basic luxury that electricity provides is our lights at night, and even during the day! Your candles and flashlights aren’t even close to the same thing.

CELLPHONES
Majority of our communications these days revolve around our phones. They are the centre of our world and the main way we communicate on social media and with our family and friends.

INTERNET AND COMPUTERS
This should go without saying, it is probably the thing we use the most in our modern lives. We can’t really get much done with our computer.

TELEVISION
The average person watches 4 hours of TV a day, while the average child actually watches 6 hours! It can be a shock to our emotional system when the power goes out and we can’t watch anymore.

iPODS, STEREO, MUSIC
So many people walk around with their earphones attached to their iPods and other devices, listening to music. It can be a little bit difficult to do this if there is no electricity to recharge these devices. Like TV, music is a major part of the background entertainment for people.

AIR CONDITIONING, FANS, HEAT
Now that the days are getting hotter, it is vital to have air conditioning and fans to keep cool. Even in the colder months, heaters are always on. We have lived so long with this convenience that being without it, even for a few hours is a shock.

REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER
Our fridges serve an important role in keeping your food fresh and cool. When the electricity goes out, it can be hard to find a cool glass of water and it can cause food to go off, especially if the power is cut for a long period of time.

KITCHEN APPLIANCES
How will you handle it if you can’t make a fresh cup of coffee, or a nice piece of toast? Think about it, all your kitchen appliances run on electricity, so when the power is cut, you can’t use much in the kitchen!

STOVE, OVEN AND MICROWAVE
Let this sink in, all of us cook our food in the oven, microwave or on the stove, we won’t be able to cook any dinner if there is no power. Cold salads and sarmies are always an option though.

WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER
Washing your clothes is something that you may take for granted, and when the power goes out and you really need clean clothes for work the next day, it can be a real hassle.

Even though most of the time the power only goes out for a couple of hours, it can be annoying and a real shock on our emotional state when we can’t use the things we usually do! It is surprising how many things in our lives need electricity to function!

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and you can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet, cook meals and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

Did you know that SA has been load shedding-free for a month?

Yes, it’s true, it has been over a month since Eskom cut the power and they plan to keep up this trend for as long as they can.

"Eskom has not had load shedding for the past 30 consecutive days and none is anticipated for the day," the utility said in a statement on Tuesday.

The electricity situation has been helped by the extremely warm temperatures in the past few weeks, and the brand new power station which has added 794 megawatts to the grid. We are all hoping and praying that we get a load shedding-free summer!

The power outages have affected Africa’s industrialised economy quite seriously, which shrank by 1.3% in the second quarter. This raised the risk of recession. Luckily, the chances of avoiding recession are better if there is no or not so much load shedding, so this is good news. Christie Viljoen of NKC African Economics went on to say that, “load shedding has been a shock to the economy.”

However, now that we have lost momentum because of load shedding, it might be a while before things get going again.

The good news it they even went on to say that there is a low risk of load shedding, as the power system is constrained, but stable. Well, don’t get your hopes up too much, load shedding is probably still going to happen in the near future. After all we’ve been through; it’s obvious that Eskom can’t be trusted.

Off Grid provide backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

How does a computer’s UPS work?

Your computer or laptop is able to withstand slight differences in power, but a significant change will cause the power supply to fail! A UPS is generally there to protect your PC against these different power problems…

Surges and spikes – Times when the voltage on the line is much more than it should be.

Sags – Times when the voltage on the line is less than it should be.

Total power failure – Times when a line goes down or a fuse blows somewhere on the grid or in the building or area.

Load shedding – Times when the power is cut purposely to avoid excess load on the power system.

Frequency differences – Times when the power is swaying at something other than the right frequency.

There are two common systems that we use today, standby UPS devices and continuous UPS devices. A standby UPS runs the computer off of the normal power until it detects a problem. At that point, it will very quickly turn on the power inverter and run the computer off of the UPS’s battery.

In a continuous UPS, the computer is always running off of the battery power and the battery is always being recharged. It is possible to build a simple UPS yourself, using a large battery charger, a battery and a power inverter. If the power fails, the battery will then give power to the inverter. There is no switch-over time in a continuous UPS device.

Standby UPS systems are far more common for home and small-business use because they tend to be a lot cheaper than a continuous UPS. Continuous systems provide clean, stable power, so they are usually used for servers.

Off Grid can provide you with backup power solutions for you or your business, including a variety of UPS devices. Our load shedding solutions are both easy to work and affordable, so when the power goes out, you will not be inconvenienced.

Load Shedding and Safety

Most of us use a mixture of sources to get energy into our households. Because of load shedding, we can’t always rely on electricity to keep our homes powered. Alternatives include electricity, gas, coal, paraffin, firewood, candles and solar power to fulfill the job of lighting, cooking or heating.

What we don’t always consider with the alternatives we turn to is safety. Energy accidents are a global problem; and can cause accidents with children and adults. Education around energy safety not only helps you and your family but the community as a whole.

There are some preventative measures you can take to ensure that you and your family are always safe when load shedding prevents you from using electricity.

Preventative measures:

- Repair all damaged and broken wires in your home

- Never ever let children use appliances, paraffin stoves or candles unsupervised

- Turn off appliances when you are done using them

- Dangerous products, such as paraffin and matches should always be kept out of reach and properly sealed

- Make sure the container you use for storing paraffin is not used for anything else

- Have emergency numbers in highly visible places for children to call during a crisis

Dealing with the emergency

- Get yourself and others out of the situation

- Call for help

- Using sand to put out electrical and paraffin fires is far more effective than water

- All burns should be taken seriously, get the injured person to a hospital or clinic as fast as possible

Load shedding is not going away anytime soon. Because of this, we have been forced to use other ways to supply ourselves with power.

Although accidents do happen; we have to take extra measures to make sure that those dearest to us are safe and protected!

Off Grid can provide your home or your business with effective load shedding solutions. Don't get caught in the dark, purchase one of our many products today!

The fun side of load shedding

Load shedding is not a joke, however if you choose to look on the bright side of the situation you can find some fun activities to do when load shedding makes an unwelcome visit in your area.

Practice your handstands

Everyone knows that if you can do handstands, you’re considered to be pretty cool. It’s a small accomplishment for young kid, but it really gets a crowd of 25 year olds going! Handstands can be a party trick for when load shedding hits and all you need to do it is a wall and arms.

Become environmentally friendly

Load shedding is the perfect opportunity for you to turn your crib into a completely green zone. Yes, throw out your electrical oven and replace it with a gas one. Jeez, why don’t you just throw out your kettle and toaster while you’re at it, we shouldn’t be relying on appliances that use unnecessary power. For those of you who want to fully commit to this idea should just buy a tent and move into a local campsite or park, you can always just live off the land.

Make use of your Pinterest account

This is the best opportunity for you to actually make something from your DIY Pinterest folder. Why don’t you kick it old school and make some pretty decorations using candles – pack those torches away. Be aware because this activity might require you to print out instructions beforehand, unless you’re lucky enough to still have data.

Get to know your friends

We know that since we have reached the level of only communicating with technology, we have become socially awkward weirdos, who only know how to compliment people’s selfies on Facebook. Well, load shedding is the perfect time to get those social skills working again! Take a trip to your friend’s house (if you still remember where they live) and start up a conversation with them.

Earn your degree

Load shedding is actually the perfect time for you to study and learn stuff. Leave 9gag, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alone and finally read that course you haven’t got around to even looking at. When all the distractions are gone you can finally work towards deserving that degree you got that one time at that place you never want to visit again.

Prepare in advance

Yes, we have load shedding schedules, but we also live in South Africa, the country where no one really knows that is going on. That means the power can go off at any moment, so always remember to have some cooked bacon on standby at all times! “Hell hath no FURY than a man who can’t fry bacon.” – Bazil the Bulldog.

There is always hope in the darkness, even though in the moment we panic and wonder what on earth people did before the internet. Hopefully these tips will make load shedding bearable and bring some light to your dark room.

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

Five Power-Saving Myths Busted

Load shedding is a reality, and we have been told that it’s here to stay for most of 2015. Eskom needs to balance the scales and supply enough electricity to meet our needs. But we can also have a part in this by trying to save power as much as we can.

Here are some common power-saving myths that have been busted…

1. Turning the geyser off and on uses more power that simply leaving it on

TRUTH: Switching your geyser off and on again won’t actually save power overall, however it will help Eskom reduce demand during crucial periods.

To reheat the water to its set temperature, a geyser uses no more power than if it had just stayed switched on.

2. I have a geyser blanket, so I don’t need to switch my geyser off

TRUTH: A geyser blanket does help reduce heat loss and therefore can lead to small power savings, but you still need to switch off your geyser during peak times in order to help reduce demand.

3. Switching lights and appliances off and on uses more power than just leaving them on

TRUTH: Turning a light or an appliance on can lead to a small surge in power usage, but this is smaller than the amount of electricity needed to keep it on when it is not being used.

4. It uses less energy to leave my heater on, than to heat my room again

TRUTH: The fact is it takes less energy to warm up your room than leaving your heater on for long periods of time. Rather wear warm clothes or use a hot water bottle than to keep a heater on.

5. Setting the air conditioner to its lowest temperate will cool a room quicker

TRUTH: This won’t make your room cooler any quicker; it will just use much more power because the air con will be on for longer. The same goes for using an air con to heat a room.

6. Putting my TV or electrical devices on standby mode is the same as switching it off

TRUTH: Even on standby mode, an electrical appliance still draws power. Rather just switch it off completely or unplug it from the way.

Load shedding is basically the result of bad planning and poor management, however we still need to do our part and try to save power. We don’t want load shedding to carry on for the rest of our lives!

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

Load Shedding and Road Safety

Most South Africans have experienced the inconvenience of a break in power supply. Power cuts are unfortunately going to be a reality for years to come. 

There is also the impact of load shedding on road safety. We need to address load shedding and learn how to protect ourselves from the risks posed by load shedding

Impact of load shedding on road safety

- There is not much that the average person can do about power failures affecting traffic lights and traffic flow – the correct driving attitude can however go a long way in preventing accidents.

- It is suggested, where possible, that drivers plan their routes and leave early to try and avoid the heavy traffic periods, this may also reduce the urge to rush.

- Many people are impatient because they are late due to the load shedding conditions and may take unnecessary risks , you should be extra cautious at faulty traffic lights. 

- Many other motorists are also delayed and may be using their cell phones and possibly not concentrating fully on the road. Always make sure other vehicles are stationary before you pull away from the four way stop.

Always remember to concentrate fully on the road during load shedding. Load shedding is bad enough as it is, let’s not make it worse.

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable and seamless to run; when the power goes out you are not inconvenienced and can continue to run your business, watch TV, surf the internet and all without worrying about when it’s coming back on again.

Load Shedding can cause Health Dangers

Our load shedding crisis is not only annoying, but it can be downright dangerous to your health too. Here’s how to protect yourself when darkness falls…

Power outages and public health facilities

While businesses and households struggle to deal with rolling black outs, the risks it poses for hospital patients are far greater.

Electricity is essential for public health facilities so when the supply is unstable it could be fatal for patients undergoing emergency treatment, surgery and those in intensive care. Furthermore, organs, vaccines and medication that need to be refrigerated can also spoil or become ineffective.

Tip: keep a two-plate gas stove at hand to boil water to sterilise baby bottles.

How to prevent health issues during load shedding: Keep your first aid kit close by in case any accidents happen in the dark, especially if you have children or older people living with you.

Dangers to health equipment

For those who suffer from emphysema, make sure that portable respirators are always charged.

Asthmatics should also keep their nebulisers charged.

Anyone who uses oxygen, such as those suffering from chronic bronchitis, sleep apnoea and other restrictive lung diseases, should keep an extra oxygen tank so they can keep breathing easily.

Dangers in the dark that affect all of us

Switch off all electronics and appliances during power outages. At times when power is restored there is the potential for it to come back with a spike in the voltage. Any sparks resulting from this could lead to burns and cuts and it can also damage electronic devices like computers, televisions and DVD players.

Being in the dark also can also be a health hazard for the small children and the elderly, who could trip and fall, especially when climbing stairs. Injuries resulting from falls can be as simple as ankle sprains to very serious hip fractures, which are all very common injuries for the elderly.

Safe heating alternatives

If you have a fireplace, make sure you have plenty of wood and keep the matches nearby.

Gas heaters are great for heating. Make sure you are stocked up with gas and heat only one room where everyone can gather together.

Ensure all windows and doors are closed to keep the heat in.

Place extra blankets and duvets in an easy-to-reach cupboard.

Load shedding is a nuisance and has forced us to prepare to install backup power solutions and keep torches and candles close at hand. Being engulfed in darkness for hours also comes with a  lot of health risks – so be prepared.

Need backup power for your home or business? Order from Off Grid and we can provide you with all you need, from power banks to UPS.