Savings Calculator

Your Results

You Could Be

{Improvement:27}%

More Efficient

Hidden

Total

Hidden

Improvement

{Total:14}%

Wasting Energy + Money Energy Efficient

YOU'RE IN THE RED

Based on your score, you have huge potential to increase your energy and water efficiency and save. You’ve got nothing to lose and but all that money to save. And of course the planet! So do the smart thing!

See your report below for your scores and tips to help you start saving today!

YOU'RE IN THE ORANGE

You are trying hard but there is room for improvement. Remember saving more energy and water directly translates into more money in your hands to spend on other things. So start now!

See your report below for your scores and tips to help you start saving today!

YOU'RE IN THE GREEN

Well done! Your score shows that you are energy and water conscious and have the necessary tools to manage your consumption and keep it at a minimum. You are kind to both your pocket and the planet. Keep it DOWN!

See your report below for your scores and tips to help you start saving today!

For more information on how you can make more changes to save even more visit our How to Get Smart page.

Or if you really want to make big changes consider an EDGE certified SMARTHOME

FIND OUT HOW TO SAVE MORE

01

MONITORING YOUR EXPENSES

Do you monitor your energy bill on a monthly basis?

Yes

Smart Choice that you are monitoring your consumption. You can install a monitoring device that provides you with real time data on electricity usage to understand better when and where electricity is used.

Do you monitor your energy bill on a monthly basis?

No

You can get smart by paying attention to your habits and how you consume water and electricity. By first being aware of how much you use in your home and making the necessary changes towards making a positive change and saving, you become smarter.

02

HEATING

What type of heater do you use?

Mostly electric heaters

Heating a space requires an enourmous amount of electricity. Some tips to keep your house warmer: 1) keep curtains open during the day, especially in rooms where direct sunlight enters your home. Close the curtains when the sun goes down, to retain the heat inside. 2) smaller spaces are easier to heat up, so keep internal doors closed. Also seal gaps in windows and doors to prevent draughts. Sealing tape can be found at the hardware store. 3) Wear an extra warm sweater, use hot water bottles and blankets to stay warm.

What type of heater do you use?

Mostly wood fireplaces

"Smart Choice! A closed combustion fireplace is one of the most efficient ways of heating a space. Open fireplaces lose quite a lot of heat through the chimney and releases fumes into the house that can be potentially hazardous.

What type of heater do you use?

Mostly gas heaters

Smart Choice! Using gas has the advantage over electricity in supplying instant heat, whether it’s heating a room or a pot on the stove. A great advantage is that gas stoves and heaters also give you the peace of mind during load-shedding and they also lessen the harm to the environment.

What type of heater do you use?

Mostly air con

Smart Choice! Your air conditioner can also be used for heating up the space. This is quite an efficient way of heating your living spaces.

What type of heater do you use?

I don't use a heater

Purchase and use electric blankets, hot water bottles and other targeted heat sources instead of heating an entire room or house.

How long do you use your heater for?

On average 12 hours

You are using your heater for 12 hours! Consider reducing the use of your heater and only heat spaces that need to be heated. Research shows that you sleep better in a slightly cooler bedroom (18 Degrees).

How long do you use your heater for?

On average 6 hours

You are using your heater for 6 hours! Consider reducing the use of your heater and only heat spaces that need to be heated. Research shows that you sleep better in a slightly cooler bedroom (18 Degrees).

How long do you use your heater for?

On average 3 hours

You are using your heater for only 3 hours! Good job! It sound like you try to minimise the amount of electricity to heat up spaces.

03

COOKING

How do you cook?

Electric stove

Electric stoves are the most inefficient way of cooking food. If you cannot switch to a gas stove or induction, consider the following: 1) match the size of the pan to the stove plate, so that you do not lose heat, 2) Turn the heat off just before you are done cooking, the plates will stay hot for quite a while. 3) For hot water use the kettle, this is more efficient than using a stove to boil water.

How do you cook?

Gas stove

Smart Choice! You are cooking on gas! Burning gas emits half the amount of CO2 than using electricity!

How do you cook?

Induction stove

You cook on induction, smart choice! Induction cookers use electricity to power an electromagnet, which transfers energy directly to the vessel in order for it to heat the contents, using less electricity than a conventional electric stove.

How do you cook?

Mostly eat out

Smart Choice! Eating out saves you all the electricty at home but it may not be as kind to your bank balance.

04

HOT WATER

How do you heat hot water?

Geyser

You are using a geyser for hot water. You can do the following things to make savings: 1) check the geyser water temperature setting, this should between 55-60 degrees (not higher and not lower). 2) Fit a geyser blanket, this will help to keep the water warm for longer. Geyser blankets are available from hardware stores.

How do you heat hot water?

Geyser with a geyser blanket

You are using a geyser covered in a geyser blanket for hot water. That’s a good start. To make more savings check the geyser water temperature setting, this should between 55-60 degrees (not higher and not lower).

How do you heat hot water?

Heatpump

You are using a heat pump! Heat pumps are very efficient and you are saving 55-70% on electricity compared to a standard electrical geyser. Check if the water temperature is set between 55 and 60 degrees to ensure optimal efficiency.

How do you heat hot water?

Gas

You most likely live in a complex with a central hot water system. Gas is a more eco-friendly way of heating water as it generates less greenhouse gas emissions than electricity. It is however more expensive than electricity.

How do you heat hot water?

Solar

You are using the sun to heat your water! Well done, this is the most efficient way of heating water!

05

FRIDGE

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

A+

Smart Choice! You have selected an A+ label Fridge. From 2017 it is compulsory for applicance manufacturers to display the energy efficiency label for large appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven, etc). Appliance efficiencies go up to A+++ these days.

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

A

Smart Choice! You have selected an A label Fridge. From 2017 it is compulsory for applicance manufacturers to display the energy efficiency label for large appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven, etc). Applicances are getting more and more efficient. Next time you buy an appliance look out for the A+, A++ or A+++ for even more efficiency.

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

B

You have selected a B label Fridge. This is an entry level efficiency. From 2017 it is compulsory for applicance manufacturers to display the energy efficiency label for large appliances (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven, etc). Applicances are getting more and more efficient. Next time you buy an appliance look out for the A+, A++ or A+++ for even more efficiency.

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

I don’t know

When you buy a new appliance, look for the Energy Efficiency Label. It is now compulsory for appliance manufacturers to supply this label on the machine. This label informs you on how efficient the appliance is. This is rated on a scale from D to A+++. The closer to A, the more efficient the applicance.

06

LIGHTING

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

All the time

Smart Choice! You are in charge of your lights. Switching off lights in un-occupied rooms can save you lots of electricity.

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

Sometimes

Switching off lights in un-occupied areas can save a lot of electricity and thus money. Try to make it a habit to switch off lights where it is not required.

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

Not really

Switching off lights in un-occupied areas can save a lot of electricity and thus money. Try to make it a habit to switch off lights where it is not required.

What type of lighting do you use?

Mostly LED

Smart Choice! LED's use 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer.

What type of lighting do you use?

Mostly CFLs or energy savers

Smart Choice! Energy saving lights or CFL's, as they are called, save up to 80% and last 10 times longer than conventional incandescent lights.

What type of lighting do you use?

Mostly incandescent bulbs

The good old incandescent light bulb might be the cheapest option to buy, but not in the long run. These lights are 80% less efficient than CFL's or LED's. Be smart and change your lightbulbs, you will save electricity and money in the long term. CFL's (cost effective) or LED (more expensive) will save you electricity and they last much longer as well.

07

DISHWASHING

How do you do your dishes?

Dishwashing by hand with the tap running

For small loads of dishes, washing by hand can be most water and energy efficient, but not with a running tap! Consider filling the sink with soap water, and the second sink tub with rinsing water. Washing dishes from least dirty (glasses, cutlery) to most dirty (pots and pans) helps to keep the water clean for longer.

How do you do your dishes?

Dishwashing by hand filling the sink with water

Smart Choice! For small loads of dishes washing by hand can be most water and energy efficient, but not with a running tap! Consider filling the sink with soap water, and the second sink tub with rinsing water. Washing dishes from least dirty (glasses, cutlery) to most dirty (pots and pans) helps to keep the water clean for longer.

How do you do your dishes?

Dishwasher

For large loads the dishwasher can be the most energy and water efficient. Make sure your dishwasher is fully packed for optimal efficieny. To save electricity you can skip the drying cycle and open the dishwasher door to dry naturally. Also remember to use eco-friendly dishwasher soaps. When buying a new dishwasher pay attention to the energy efficiency label.

How do you do your dishes?

Combination of washing by hand (small loads) and the dishwasher (full load)

Smart Choice! For small loads of dishes washing by hand can be most water and energy efficient, and large loads the dishwasher is most efficient. To save electricity you can skip the drying cycle and open the dishwasher door to dry naturally. Also remember to use eco-friendly dishwasher soaps. When buying a new dishwasher pay attention to the energy efficiency label.

08

LAUNDRY

How do you wash your clothes?

Handwash/laundromat

Handwashing and toploaders use more water and energy than a washing machine. Did you know that washing with cold water (30 0C) gives you the same result as washing with warm water? On top of that cold water protects the fabric dye, which helps colours last longer. It also prevents clothes from shrinking and maintains the shape of the material. For the future, consider buying a washing machine, they use way less water to wash your clothes.

How do you wash your clothes?

Washing machine

Smart Choice! You will be happy to hear that a washing machine is more water and energy efficient than washing by hand. When purchasing a new washing machine, keep the following in mind: 1) front loaders use 1/2 the amount of water than top loaders use. 2) Energy efficiency, buy a machine with a good energy efficiency label of A, A+, A++ or A+++. 3) Washing with cold water has the same result as washing with warm water, consider washing with cold water. 4) Use biodigradable washing products, this will protect our ecosystems and waterways.

How do you dry your clothes?

Tumble dryer

If you use a tumble dryer please make sure you have the most energy efficient one. It is not the most efficient way of drying your clothes, and consider drying your clothes naturally when the weather permits.

How do you dry your clothes?

Washing line

Smart Choice! We live in a sun-abundant country and should be harnessing the sun and wind energy to dry our clothes for free!

09

BATHING

Do you bath or shower?

Mostly bath

Bathing is not the most water and energy (hot water) efficient option. A 4-minute shower uses between 30-48 Liters of water, while a conventional bath can use between 80 and 200 Liters of water.

Do you bath or shower?

Mostly shower

Smart Choice! A 4-minute shower uses between 30-48 Liters of water, while a conventional bath can use between 80 and 200 Liters of water. A shower timer can help you time your shower.

Flow rate

I don’t know

Your showerhead can waste or save you a lot of water. A wasteful shower uses 15 liters a minute, a more efficient one only 6 liters (and you won't feel the difference). If you do not know how much water your shower is using do the following: take a 2 litre jug and put it under the shower and count the seconds it takes to fill up. If it is 12 seconds or less, it is not an very efficient shower. If it takes 20 seconds, it is very efficient.

Flow rate

Less than 10l/min

Smart Choice! Your shower saves you a lot of water and energy! A wasteful shower uses 15 liters a minute, a more efficient one only 6 liters (and you won't feel the difference). If you do not know how much water your shower is using do the following: take a 2 litre jug and put it under the shower and count the seconds it takes to fill up. If it is 12 seconds or less, it is not a very efficient shower. If it takes 20 seconds, it is very efficient.

Flow rate

More than 10l/min

Your showerhead can waste or save you a lot of water. A wasteful shower uses 15 liters a minute, a more efficient one only 6 liters (and you won't feel the difference). If you do not know how much water your shower is using do the following: take a 2 litre jug and put it under the shower and count the seconds it takes to fill up. If it is 12 seconds or less, it is not a very efficient shower. If it takes 20 seconds, it is very efficient.

10

POOL

Do you have a pool?

Yes

Pool pumps use a lot of electricity. Reduce the time your pool pump runs to 4 to 6 hours in summer and 2 to 3 hours per day in winter. A variable-speed pool pump is the best kept secret in home energy savings. Most pool owners use 750w and 1100w pumps but these new models use only 150w to 300w at their lowest settings. You can also watch with pride as your investment pays off with a significant drop in your utility bill within a few years.

Download PDF Report

Just How Smart Is Your Home?

Let’s Get Started

Do you monitor your energy bill on a monthly basis?

Heating

Cooking

Hot Water

Fridge

Lighting

Dishwashing

Laundry

Bathing

Swimming Pool

You Could Be

{Improvement:27}%

More Efficient

YOU'RE IN THE RED

YOU'RE IN THE ORANGE

YOU'RE IN THE GREEN

FIND OUT HOW TO SAVE MORE

MONITORING YOUR EXPENSES

Do you monitor your energy bill on a monthly basis?

Do you monitor your energy bill on a monthly basis?

HEATING

What type of heater do you use?

What type of heater do you use?

What type of heater do you use?

What type of heater do you use?

What type of heater do you use?

How long do you use your heater for?

How long do you use your heater for?

How long do you use your heater for?

COOKING

How do you cook?

How do you cook?

How do you cook?

How do you cook?

HOT WATER

How do you heat hot water?

How do you heat hot water?

How do you heat hot water?

How do you heat hot water?

How do you heat hot water?

FRIDGE

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

Does your fridge have an energy efficiency rating?

LIGHTING

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

Do you make sure the lights are switched off when you leave a room?

What type of lighting do you use?

What type of lighting do you use?

What type of lighting do you use?

DISHWASHING

How do you do your dishes?

How do you do your dishes?

How do you do your dishes?

How do you do your dishes?

LAUNDRY

How do you wash your clothes?

How do you wash your clothes?

How do you dry your clothes?

How do you dry your clothes?

BATHING

Do you bath or shower?

Do you bath or shower?

Flow rate

Flow rate

Flow rate

POOL

Do you have a pool?

Have a Question About SMARTHOMES?