Although we haven’t had Load Shedding in a while, the power crisis in SA is still looming, so it’s best to be prepared… There are a few great ways to keep the lights on, td here are load shedding lights that have been specifically developed to address this issue, but all have their pros and cons. You could use a generator, but this can become very expensive and they are very noisy. A great alternative is to find light bulbs for sale that are fitted with the latest tech. Not only do they last for a very long time but they are also more cost effective than using a generator.
This article will highlight some of these strategies and some of the innovations in energy saving light bulbs that you can use to make the lack of power a bit easier.
Solar powered lights
One of the best energy saving light bulbs is a solar light. These work by integrating a solar panel into the circuitry of the light which enables the sun to charge your battery instead of plugging it in to the wall. The nice thing here is that you have no need for a power connection to have light. This is a completely off-the-grid solution.
The pros to solar LED light bulbs are that the price for these devices has declined rapidly in recent years and you don’t need to have any connection to the power grid to charge your device.
The cons are that these devices can take a long time to charge and if there is no sunlight, then you might not be able to charge the device.
Rechargeable lights
A light that can be charged is another good way to combat the dark. These devices can be plugged into a wall socket when the power is on and charged so when the power goes out, they are full and ready to go. The advantage here is that these lights normally last for a few hours and this is guaranteed to keep you illuminated during the course of the power outage.
The benefits of rechargeable light bulbs are that you have a device that holds a charge so you can see when the power is out. The device charges by itself and can be kept in the wall till the power goes off. Lastly, these devices are relatively inexpensive.
The drawbacks are that you have to have a power source to charge the light in the first place. The charge capacity does reduce during the devices lifetime so the more you charge it, the less time it will stay on. Then, if you have used the light, you have to physically plug the unit in and remember to do so before a possible power outage.
Self charging light bulbs
Self charging light bulbs are a bit different to a rechargeable light bulb. These devices sit inside the normal light bulb socket and do not have to be removed to charge. They have tiny chargeable devices built into the light bulb itself so the bulb charges when the power is on and then switches over to the charged battery when the power goes off.
Image Credit: SmartCharge
An example of this is the Smart Charge Light Bulbs that were developed by Shailendra Suman as an answer to the power crisis in South Africa.
The 5 W SmartCharge LED light bulbs have the ability to put out 350 lumens, putting out a range of 3,000K, 4,000K and 5,000K color temperatures. This means they are just as powerful as conventional light bulbs. The devices use a patent-pending Grid & Switch Sensor to figure out if there has indeed been a power failure. This sensor detects the positioning of the on/off switch the light or lamp is wired to. This is what makes it possible for the device to know if it must turn on due to a power cut or if you have just simply turned off the light.
The Smart Charge Light Bulbs are able to stay on thanks to a 2200 mAh Li-ion cellphone battery that can give up to four hours of light. When the power to the grid is restored, the unit’s battery recharges itself from empty to a fully charged capacity in about six hours. These bulbs have a rated lifespan of up to 40,000 hours.
Ready to invest in power saving load shedding lights? Visit Junk Mail to find light bulbs for sale that will not only meet the needs of your home, school or business, but suit your pocket as well. Do you have lighting fixtures and light bulbs for sale? Place your free ad on www.JunkMail.co.za!
Few articles address the core power issues.
Advice on how to reduce electricity consumption
Heating consumes the most energy so this must be addressed first, starting with the most energy hungry items
1. Install one or more solar water heaters on the roof. High pressure systems use existing geysers and give better water pressure. Low pressure water systems have their own water reservoir and are cheaper. In both cases there is the option of using mains power to increase the water temperature during overcast days. Use a thermal blanket around the geyser and lag hot water pipes.
In rural areas where wood is readily available, a stainless steel donkey boiler is a viable option. Electricity savings can be dramatic.
2. Replace all existing lighting with our 12 volt solar lighting using LED down lighters, globes and strip lights.
3. Install thermal insulation in the roof and draw curtains across the windows at night to reduce heat loss. “Energy saver” electric heaters are no more efficient than older heaters. The heating effect of a heater is proportional to the wattage rating. Use gas heaters.
Thermal insulation also has the advantage of keeping the house cooler in summer.
4. Replace the electric hob with a gas unit and use a whistling kettle instead of electric kettle. Gas is efficient and you use it only for as long as necessary. Only boil as much water as is needed and turn the gas down once a pot starts to boil.
5. Replace older fridges and freezers with Euro standard A++ or A+++ appliances. These use less power and retain the cold longer.
6. Washing machines could be fed with solar heated water if needed. Washing machines and dish washers should also be A++ rating.
7. Consider that PCs use more power than laptops and old TVs use more power than modern TVs.
I found this very useful thank you… Where can I purchase the solar globes?
Hi Allana,
We are happy to hear that!
You can buy solar globes off Junk Mail from any of the vendors advertising in your area! Simply click here!
Thanks for reading our Blog!