PHD Blogs

15 No-cost Ideas to Save Power

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Electricity is expensive – make no bones about it. The secret is to save wherever you can without it costing you anything. It is time to think smart and to think out of the box so that you can put money back into your bank account instead of forking out more each month. 

Here are fifteen smart (and small), inexpensive ways to save on your power bill 

  • Turn off those unnecessary lights – switching off lights an extra couple of hours a day can save you over the long haul – it is time to switch to LED lighting 
  • Use task lighting – using side and table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights instead of ceiling lights will go a long way to saving power 
  • Hot water costs money – cutting shower and bath time will save you substantially 
  • Always switch off taps when brushing teeth, washing hands or shaving – by reducing your hot water usage you can cut costs  
  • Always unplug unused electrical devices – did you know that standby power can account for up to 10% of an average household’s annual electricity use?
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Solar Systems and Low-cost Housing

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Perhaps one of the biggest challenges that South Africa faces is the backlog in the building and distribution of excellent, low–cost housing to the masses. Suffice to say, solar technology is a cost-effective resolution for providing energy to low–cost houses as it assists in the supply of electricity which is vital for both lighting and the delivery of hot water to thousands of these homes. Read the rest

Why Use A Surge Protector

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Electricity moves from areas of high electric potential to areas of low electric potential, travelling from one end of a wire to the opposite end. 

There is one vital job that a surge protector needs to perform, and that is to detect any excess voltage and to then divert the excess electricity into a grounding wire; the very reason why all surge protectors are equipped with a grounding pin (the third prong on an electrical plug). Read the rest

Power & Electricity World Africa 2019

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PHD Powerhouse is a proud exhibitor at the leading and longest-running power and electricity exhibition and conference for utilities, IPPS, large energy users, the government and the energy industry. 

Seminar Highlights 

  • How large energy users and commerce at large can shrink their power costs  
  • How big data and analytics can help you save on energy costs 
  • Smart grids, revenue protection, smart metering and billing 
  • How to avoid decommissioning and improve the competitiveness of coal generation 
  • How to support growth and skills development for engineers 
  • How to transition from an SME into an EPC contractor 
  • The potential for AI, VR, drones and machine-learning in energy 
  •  Preferred business models for investing in renewable energy options 
  • Installing renewables 

Gentalks – Day One and Day Two 

  • Introducing efficiencies and reducing costs in your power plant 
  • Businesses looking for the latest tech in power generation  

Smart Electricity Seminar – Day One and Day Two 

  • Discover the potential of Smart Grid technologies to accelerate sustainable access to electricity 

Solar Techtalks – Day One and Day Two 

  • Learning about future-shaping technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies, solar plants, grid infrastructure and solutions for the integration of renewable energy 

Install Renewables – Day One and Day Two 

  • With the rapidly growing C & I industry and the increase of the renewable heat incentive installations of solar thermal hot water systems, the industry will need skilled electrical contractors 
  • For skilled plumbers or renewable energy installers, training will prove to be a smart investment.
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Solar Show 2019

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Power is pivotal in the lives of everyone in South Africa; suffice to say – this is becoming increasingly challenging for all concerned. Whether you are a private individual or run a small or large business; little can be achieved without power. Load shedding– has become a bugbear for everyone, and solutions to our power problems are perhaps the number one challenge that we, as South Africans, are facing daily. Read the rest

How to Reduce Energy Costs in SA Businesses

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According to statistics business owners seem to be rather reluctant to use the implementation of integrated facility management to reduce energy costs, even though these systems have the potential to save money in the long term. 

Smart building management systems control, monitor and optimise building services to improve energy efficiency on so many levels. 

A good example is the monitoring that adjusts lighting according to the brightness or darkness of a room; specific focus is placed on energy-guzzling systems such as air conditioning units and lights. Read the rest

Make a Difference – Be Energy Efficient

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Being energy efficient has a positive impact on socio-economic upliftment

Energy efficiency offers opportunities for socio–economic upliftment through creating jobs. One of the needs for the national support of energy efficiency programmes such as 49M is South Africa’s leading energy saving movement calling on all South Africans to avoid wasting energy. 

The campaign, which is becoming trendy, challenges individuals and businesses to live energy efficient lives and to run energy efficient enterprises. Read the rest

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

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Power outage? Never a problem if you are prepared! 

When the power goes out and you are left in the dark, you tend to think of the obvious things that you could do to get up and running once again, such as lighting candles and using gas to make coffee and tea. 

But have you really given it some careful thought? Read the rest

Calculate UPS Runtime: Can You Powerproof Your business?

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Calculate UPS runtime

Calculate UPS runtime accurately so that you never lose valuable work. UPS systems have been designed to keep your computer up and running regardless of whether the lights remain on or not. 

By and large, a UPS system is a battery supply that has been designed to keep your equipment functioning when the power goes out – this is a good option when you are faced with challenges related to power supplied by your utility supply as they continue to face their own challenges. Read the rest

Earth Hour 2019

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What are you doing this Earth Hour which falls on the 30th March, 2019? Enthusiasts from right across the globe is invited to switch off their lights for just an hour from 20.30 to 21.30.  

This is a symbolic action that unites millions of people throughout the world to celebrate Earth Hour, which is a great opportunity to reflect on our environmental impact and renew our commitment to taking care of the world in which we live. Read the rest