Increased consumption due to Load Shedding

[pedruid]

Morning all, one of my neighbours claims that according to her records on her pre paid meter that her readings (kept for 4 years) that her consumption has increased. Have not checked myself but can anyone provide feedback wherever Yay or Nay.

 

[Dan C]

Nay

 

[supersunbird]

Maybe her unit price has increased or is she working on unit consumed?

Maybe she has a new appliance? Maybe she charges all her devices before the loadshed as I do, thus increasing usage? Maybe all her standby lighting and electric fence and gate motor recharges as mine would after power comes back on? Thus usage in increased instead of recharge usage being spread out over days or weeks.

Too many variable I'd say.

 

[richjdavies]

It will be the Rand cost that increased - especially if she's Eskom direct; because the prices went up 1st April (up around 14%!)

Also, when people start getting load-shedding scared, they start doing silly things. Oh, there might be load shedding, so I need to cook a huge meal before load shedding etc; better leave my pool pump and geyser on all day, just in case I can't use it when I need to.

Power being off does NOT increase the amount you use in total; just it all comes in a bit of a rush afterwards.

 

[BuckRogers]

Well I can tell you that my consumption is higher than normal because of load shedding.
Reasons being:
- After power is restored all the pc's in the house switch on automatically.
- After power is restored the aircon in my bedroom switches on automatically
- After power is restored my perimeter lights stay on and seem to ignore the daylight sensor
- During daytime load shedding the solar geyser system pump does not run, thereby leaving the element to heat it up later
So yes, I believe your neighbour...

 

[heartbroken]

I will come in on the fence with a maybe. In my case the geyser and air-cons come on immediately after load-shedding and tun continuously for about 30 mins to get everything back on track. I also have a couple of printers and a TV that insist on switching themselves on after load-shedding, so if I am not at home, I get a TV blaring for hours on end for no reason.

Not sure though if the two hours of no usage is enough to even out the after effects.

 

[richjdavies]

- After power is restored all the pc's in the house switch on automatically.
- After power is restored the aircon in my bedroom switches on automatically
- After power is restored my perimeter lights stay on and seem to ignore the daylight sensor
- During daytime load shedding the solar geyser system pump does not run, thereby leaving the element to heat it up later
So yes, I believe your neighbour...

Sheesh ok, that's some strange settings on lots of equipment there -- but surely then it wouldn't be a surprise. I worked at an office where after load shedding the air-con came back on, so we decided, best to keep that circuit break in the off position until someone actually wanted air-con!