Preparing for winter depends on where you live in South Africa. Preparation should, however, always include eco-friendly options to stay warm and well!

On the central plateau which includes the Free State and Gauteng, winter temperatures can drop to below freezing at night but the days are usually sunny and warm. The Cape Province has mild, wet winters while the eastern Indian Ocean coastal regions are pleasantly warm.

Eco-friendly options for surviving winter

Keep your home snug and warm

It’s important to invest in a home heating system that is echo-friendly, financially viable and energy efficient.

Here are a few suggestions:

    • Fan and oil heaters with thermostats are relatively cheap small space heating options. Other, more expensive (in the short term) but echo-friendly heating solutions include solar systems and underfloor heating.
    • DIY, echo-friendly measures such as insulating your home, draught-proofing exterior doors and windows, keeping them closed but letting natural sunlight through will help warm up your home and reduce heat loss.
    • Insulate the geyser and pipes with special blankets, switch off when you go to work or get a geyser timer. Best of all, invest in a solar water heating system.
    • Switch to energy-efficient technologies, equipment and home and kitchen appliances. Use solar panels, batteries, LED lighting, water saving taps and showers and energy-efficient stoves, ovens and washing machines, etc.

Do your bit

Keep yourself snug, warm and healthy:

    • Dress in layers of clothing to trap warmth. Keep your head and neck covered to prevent heat loss.
    • Make the most of the winter sun to get your daily dose of vitamin D and to help prevent bouts of seasonal depression.
    • Get lots of fresh air and exercise. Not only will you be dodging all those cold and flu germs floating about indoors but you will also be burning kilojoules and body fat.
    • Stay warm without a heater. Dress warmly, wrap yourself in a soft blanket or shawl, use a hot water bottle or a heated microwave grain bag, snuggle up in bed and get another body in there with you for a great natural heat source.
    • Turn your electric blanket to its highest setting just before going to bed and then turn it off for the rest of the night.

Create an edible garden

Create an edible winter garden and beat rising food prices. Here’s how:

    • Start a compost heap. Use kitchen waste; vegetable and fruit peels as well as empty recycled egg cartons and egg shells, coffee grounds and old used tea bags, grass clippings, fallen leaves, etc.
    • Water your garden with the grey water from your kitchen.
    • Attract wildlife with water features and bird feeders and help them survive winter too.

Manage winter air pollution

Unfortunately winter time is also prime air pollution time in South Africa. Most cities and urban areas have especially high concentrations of air pollution mostly due to the coal burning fires that people in informal settlements and townships near or within cities use for cooking and warmth. Air pollutants also come from veld fires, car exhaust fumes, dust and industries.

What you can do:

    • Get as far away from these sources of air pollution as possible.
    • Keep your ageing vehicle in tip top condition; ageing vehicles emit high levels of pollutants. Stop-and-start driving does the same.
    • Plant as many trees as possible. Trees absorb harmful gasses and filter the air. They help conserve energy by shading homes and businesses when it is hot and letting the sun through when it is cold.
    • Donate an energy saving stove, such as a Mbaula Green to someone living in an informal settlement or township and help combat air pollution.

 

Sources

Five easy ways to keep your home warm this winter. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.property24.com/articles/5-easy-ways-to-keep-your-home-warm-this-winter/21908
Mbaula Green healthier cooking. Retreived from: http://www.mbaula.co.za/the-product/the-benefits
Momberg, E. and Grant, L. Increased air pollution concerning – experts. Retrieved from: http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/increased-air-pollution-concerning—experts-418060
Sutherns, T. 2015. Choosing the best heating system for your home. Retrieved from: https://www.homify.co.za/ideabooks/263457/choosing-the-best-heating-system-for-your-home
Ten eco-friendly winter warmers. Retrieved from: http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2011/04/10-eco-friendly-winter-warmers/