Keeping out the winter chills - without power

With the tang of autumn in the air and the prospect of more loadshedding as the weather cools, now's a good time for homeowners to look at ways to stay warm without electricity. 

That's the advice of Gerhard Kotzé, CEO of the RealNet property group, who says one of the best ways to beat the winter cold is to ensure that your home is properly insulated, especially if you have a steeply pitched roof and a large volume of space above your ceilings. 

"If you don't already have ceiling insulation, it would be worth it to have it installed before winter. It will keep your home warmer for longer when the power goes off, and will also mean you need less electricity to heat up your home -  and a lower municipal bill."

"And to make this measure even more effective, you should seal off any drafts around windows or doors, and hang thermal curtains to prevent heat loss through windows."

He says that even though many homeowners have installed solar power systems to avoid the effects of loadshedding, electric heaters are not the best idea for creating indoor winter warmth, because they use a lot of power and can quickly deplete the storage batteries. 

"So if it is safe and feasible, we recommend that homeowners install a smokeless fireplace in their main living area and make use of gas heaters whenever they quickly need to warm up another room. 

"Similarly, they should consider installing a gas stove to conserve power or be prepared to cook outside on a gas or wood-fired braai during periods of loadshedding.

In addition, says Kotzé, homeowners should implement some smart living habits that will help to keep them and their families warm this winter, even during prolonged electricity outages. These include: 

*Closing internal doors to unused rooms to concentrate heat in the areas you're occupying.

*Gathering the family together in one living space as much as possible, and heating other spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms only when really necessary. 

*Dressing in extra layers of clothing and using blankets or comforters to boost warmth, and staying active to generate additional body heat. 

*Preparing an emergency kit or cupboard with essentials like torches, batteries, powrbanks, extra blankets and non-perishable food items that don't require cooking.