Increasing phases of load shedding and extended power outages are making life difficult for remote workers. For those who do not wish to return to working in the office, or do not have that option, addressing the energy security of their homes is essential.
Helping households deal with the country’s electricity crisis is a priority for Standard Bank, which is why it launched a helpful home efficiency platform called look look. The site is free to use for anyone, no matter who you’re with, and offers valuable advice and insights on alternative energy solutions, vetted products and services, and a range of financing options.
“Electricity supply is a concern for all of us, but we need to acknowledge that remote workers have added stresses with losses in productivity and job security. This makes the choice of a backup solution even more important,” says Marc du Plessis, CEO of LookSee.
With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the variety of backup power solutions available and how they can meet the needs of those working from home:
This is the most sustainable backup power option and not just in terms of electricity security either. A solar system will typically provide a large portion of your home’s energy needs, and the savings on your electric bill can help you pay back your solar investment. Moreover, you will be protected from future electricity price increases.
For people working from home, a hybrid solar solution provides the best energy security as additional solar energy can be stored in batteries to be used at night or on rainy days.
It is also worth noting that the government is looking at ways to incentivize home solar installations. Launched the National Treasury a Solar home tax incentive that will last until the end February 2024 and plans are underway to allow homes to sell back energy to the grid.
Consisting of an inverter and a storage battery, this static backup solution is the perfect choice if you need to power most of your home during outages.
The batteries of the stationary backup solution are charged with electricity from the grid. Since these systems are plugged directly into a home’s electrical panel, they turn on automatically when the power goes out.
last The advantage of these systems is that you can upgrade to solar at a later stage by adding panels.
For those on a tight budget, a portable backup system can offer amazing flexibility. These affordable solutions come in various sizes and can be used to power small and medium sized basic devices such as lights, Wi-Fi, internet, laptops, mobile phones, TVs and set-top boxes.
Featuring the latest technology, LookSee’s range of portable backup devices offer improved efficiency, longer life, and reduced charge times. while this Devices usually charge via a regular wall plug, LookSee offers options that can also be charged in your car during extended power outages.
Generators
These items may be relatively cheap to buy, but their high running costs (over R2000 per month) make them unsuitable for working from home, especially during the higher phases of load shedding. Moreover, generators powered by fossil fuels are harmful to the environment.
Other considerations
Once you’ve decided on your preferred solution, check out See LookSee’s detailed step-by-step guide on how to size a backup power supply. This will help you determine the capacity your solution must provide to meet your power needs.
“No discussion of backup power is complete without considering the best payment method. With an emphasis on affordability, LookSee offers personal loans for our mobile backup solutions and a variety of flexible financing options for solar systems and static backup,” says du Plessis. .
Our new Electricity Minister has warned us to prepare for a very difficult winter. This is particularly troubling news for those working from home, but there are solutions available that can secure your electricity supply during power outages and maintain productivity levels. “
This article was sponsored by LookSee by Standard Bank.