Author: Janine Hansen

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Solar Power

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN YOU SAVE WITH A SOLAR GEYSER?

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How much money can you save with a solar geyser?

More and more people are looking into solar power in South Africa these days.  Load-shedding, soaring electricity prices and environmental concerns are causing us all to look towards solar power.  Solar geysers are a popular option that many people look into as a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to heat water. It can help you to reduce your carbon footprint and also to save money on your electricity bill. But how much money can you save with a solar geyser?

An electrical run geyser uses roughly 30 – 50% of your electricity bill.  As a general rule of thumb, using solar power can reduce your electricity consumption by up to 70%.

As you can see that’s a significant savings and makes this investment well worth it.  Now that we’ve looked at how much money you can save with a solar geyser let’s unpack the benefits of solar power.

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR POWER

  1. Solar power saves you money on your electricity bill
  2. It is a renewable and sustainable source of energy
  3. Solar power takes all the stress out of load-shedding
  4. Solar power is clean and environmentally friendly
  5. It is low maintenance
  6. Solar power allows for off-grid living
  7. It increases the value of your property

As you can see solar power has so many incredible benefits.  In addition, we all understand in South Africa that load-shedding is here to stay.  As a result, we need to find ways to navigate our new reality.  Solar power provides a very effective solution to this!

The upfront costs of installing a solar geyser may seem daunting at first. However, keep in mind that a solar geyser will typically last you for around 20 years or more. When you weigh up how much money you will save on your electricity bill over that period you will see that it’s so worth it. It will pay for itself over and over again for many years!

Contact us today for solar power, water filtration & water tank installation quotes, Cape Town!

Categories
Solar Power

IS THERE A REBATE IF YOU INSTALL SOLAR PANELS?

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Is there a rebate if you install solar panels?

More and more people are considering solar power in South Africa.  The current energy crisis we are facing leaves us with continual blackouts.  As a result of load-shedding in South Africa, we are forced to seek an alternate energy option.  South Africa gets plenty of sunshine which makes solar power an optimal choice for us.  However, solar power can be expensive.  As a result,  people may wonder “Is there a rebate if you install solar panels?”

Yes, the government offers a rebate of 25% of the panel cost with a maximum rebate limit of R15 000.00  This applies to people who install solar panels between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024.

This rebate gives us an opportunity to invest in solar and save some money while doing so. With the current financial pressures we are all facing this is so welcome. In addition, solar power will help you save money on your electricity bill. We’ve just had a 18.65% increase in the electricity tariff from the 1st of July. As a result, we’re all looking for ways to save money on our electricity bills. Consequently, solar power is a good option.

Solar power comes with some excellent benefits.

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR POWER

  1. It takes the stress out of load-shedding
  2. It’s environmentally friendly
  3. Solar power saves you money on your electricity bill
  4. It may increase the value of your property
  5. Solar power is low-maintenance
  6. It provides sustainable energy
  7. Solar power can be used in any area provided there is sunshine
  8. It allows for off-the-grid living
  9. Solar power is a renewable, inexhaustible source of energy
  10. It adapts well to batteries and the electricity grid

As you can see there are so many great benefits to solar power.  And now that government is offering a 25% rebate it’s the optimal time to consider installing solar panels.

Contact us today for a quote for solar power, Cape Town!

Categories
Water Filtration

COMMON ISSUES WITH GROUNDWATER

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Common issues with groundwater

In South Africa, we face continual problems with our council water supply.  Leaking pipes are all too common and can often leave us sitting without water for many days on end.  In addition, council water has become pricy and we are still due for another increase this month.  As a result, people have begun to look at different ways of accessing water. In particular, many people are now considering accessing their groundwater   However, before you can use your groundwater you need to treat it correctly and filter it. Let’s look now at some common issues with groundwater in South Africa.

Common issues with groundwater in South Africa may include sediment, bacteria, high salts, high hardness, corrosion, iron and manganese.  

You need to address these issues before you can safely use your groundwater.  However, the good news is that water filtration can effectively address each of these problems. 

You can use groundwater both indoors and outdoors.  You can connect your groundwater to your irrigation system and use it for watering your garden.  You can even use it to fill your pool provided that you treat it correctly first.  You can also connect it to your mains and use it indoors.  Again, you will need to filter it first as it can cause issues with your appliances (like your dishwasher and washing machine) if not treated.

Let’s take a look now at the benefits of water filtration:

THE BENEFITS OF WATER FILTRATION

  • You will have clean, safe drinking water
  • You will save money because you won’t need to buy bottled water
  • It helps protect the environment 
  • It helps prevent skin irritations
  • Your water will have an improved taste and odour
  • Water filtration protects your health
  • It gives you convenient and easy access to clean water
  • Water filtration protects your appliances and plumbing

If you are wanting to use your groundwater to cut costs on your water bill please contact us.  We can design a water filtration system for you based on your water analysis results. 

Contact us today for water filtration and water tank installations, Cape Town! 

Categories
Water Filtration

WHERE DO I START WITH WATER FILTRATION?

An image of water from a tap pouring into a cup
Where do I start with water filtration?

We all need access to clean, safe drinking water. Whether you use municipal water, rainwater or borehole water you need peace of mind that it’s clean and safe for consumption. The only way to do this is through water filtration.  But when it comes to water filtration you may be wondering, “Where do I start with water filtration?”

The first step is to collect a water sample and take it to Bemlab to be analyzed.  Bemlab, a division of Pathcare will provide you with a complete water analysis of your sample.  Once you have this, you can contact us with your results and we will provide a quote.  Our water filtration system will be designed according to the results of your water analysis.

Water filtration has a number of excellent benefits. These are as follows:

THE BENEFITS OF WATER FILTRATION

  • You will have clean, safe drinking water
  • You will save money because you won’t need to buy bottled water
  • It helps protect the environment 
  • It helps prevent skin irritations
  • Your water will have an improved taste and odour
  • Water filtration protects your health
  • It gives you convenient and easy access to clean water
  • Water filtration protects your appliances and plumbing

If you are looking towards living in a more self-sustaining way, or completely off-the-grid, water filtration is essential.  So much of off-the-grid living depends on having your own clean water source.  Aside from having access to clean drinking water, you will also need water to sustain a substantial vegetable garden.  In addition, you will also need water to use inside your house.  And this will need to be filtered so that your appliances and plumbing are not damaged.

Whichever way, whether you live off-the-grid or in town, we all need water filtration to some degree.  It’s fast become an absolute essential in South Africa.  

Contact us today for water filtration and solar energy quotes, Cape Town!

Categories
Solar Power Sustainable Living Water Filtration

WHAT DOES LIVING “OFF-THE-GRID” MEAN?

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What does living off-the-grid mean?

Living “off-the-grid” is a term we are hearing more and more these days.  The energy crisis we are facing in South Africa combined with continual water leaks has left us all thinking of more self-sustaining ways of living. As a result, some people are exploring the option of off-the-grid living But you may be wondering exactly what living “off-the-grid” means.  

The main concept behind living “off-the-grid” is that you live in a self-sufficient way that is disconnected from the municipal infrastructure.  This means that you are not connected to the municipal grid for water, electricity and sewerage.  It also means that you produce your own food and take care of your own waste removal.  

In summary, the following are key components of off-grid-living:

  • energy independence
  • water self-sufficiency
  • independent waste management
  • food production
  • a minimal reliance on external services

WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE OFF THE GRID?

There are many reasons people choose to live off-the-grid.  These include the following:

  • It allows you to live independently and with greater self-sufficiency
  • It’s more environmentally friendly
  • This lifestyle embraces healthier living
  • Off-grid living is a way to simplify your life
  • It can be cost-efficient
  • Off-grid living helps you to reduce your carbon footprint
  • It can give you food security

Off-the-grid living is something that can be done in varying degrees. This ranges from a partial self-sufficient lifestyle to a completely self-sustaining one. Whichever way you go, you will need effective planning, knowledge, and resourcefulness. It’s a lifestyle that comes with many benefits and of course also challenges.  However, these can be overcome.  

And even if you can’t move out to a remote property and live in the countryside remember that we can all take steps towards being more self-sustaining.  Installing solar power, accessing your underground water and installing water filtration at your current property are all steps that will help you become more independent and self-sustaining!

Contact us for solar power, and water filtration quotes, Cape Town!

Categories
Uncategorized

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?

An image of man installing solar panels on a roof
How do solar panels work?

Living off-grid in a self-sustaining way is a goal more and more people are moving towards.  One of the key elements of living like this is solar power.  Solar power harnesses the energy of the sun with the help of solar panels to produce energy.  But how do solar panels work? Read on!

Solar panels are also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels.  They contain cells that are made of semiconducting material, typically silicon. When sunlight hits these cells it excites the electrons. As a result, an electric current is generated. This direct current (DC) is then converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter, which is suitable for use in homes and businesses.

The energy crisis in South Africa has literally left us sitting in the dark. As a result, we have now had to start looking at alternative energy solutions. In short, solar power has become an answer to this crisis.  While it is true that solar power can be pricy it’s ultimately something we all need to move towards in whatever capacity we can. 

Thankfully, we live in a country that gets plenty of sunshine so solar power is definitely an option for us.  The initial investment to get set up with solar power is so worth it because it will give you a more reliable energy supply and will also help you save money on your energy bill.  

Let’s take a look now at some of the benefits of solar power:

THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR POWER

  • It takes the stress out of load-shedding
  • Solar power is environmentally-friendly
  • It saves you money on your electricity bill
  • It increases the value of your property
  • Solar power is low maintenance
  • Solar power is sustainable energy

As you can see solar power comes with many great benefits!

Contact us today for solar energy, water filtration & water tank quotes, Cape Town!

Categories
Sustainable Living

8 SHOCKING REASONS OUR PLANET NEEDS URGENT ACTION

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8 shocking reasons our planet needs urgent action

Our planet is under immense pressure.  And we need urgent intervention.  Let’s look now at 8 shocking reasons our planet needs urgent action. 

URGENT FACTORS AFFECTING OUR PLANET

  1. Every year, approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans. As a result, this causes immense harm to marine life and ecosystems.
  2. Deforestation continues at an alarming rate. It is estimated that 18.7 million acres of forest are lost annually. This is equivalent to 27 soccer fields per minute.
  3. Over 1 million species are currently facing extinction due to human activities. As a result, this has led to a significant loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruptions.
  4. Approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption (around 1.3 billion tons) is wasted or lost each year. As a result, this exacerbates issues like hunger and resource depletion.
  5. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), wildlife populations have declined. This decline has been by an average of 68% in less than 50 years. This is primarily due to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
  6. Agriculture utilizes around 70% of the world’s freshwater resources. As a result, this leads to water scarcity in many regions and threatens the availability of clean water for communities.
  7. If current pollution rates continue, experts estimate that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the oceans will surpass that of fish.
  8. The burning of fossil fuels is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 levels in the atmosphere are reaching their highest levels.

These shocking statistics highlight the fact that there is a problem in how we live and treat the earth. As a result, it’s a wake-up call that urgent action is needed. Each one of us can make small changes that will add up to big changes if we all do them.

Contact us for water filtration, water tanks and solar

Categories
Aquaponics Sustainable Living

DOES AQUAPONICS REQUIRE SUNLIGHT?

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Does aquaponics need sunlight2

Aquaponics involves growing plants in water with the help of fish.  The fish and plants function in a symbiotic relationship.  The fish provide the nutrients for the plants and the plants in turn filter the water for the fish.  It’s an effective way to grow plants and in particular, veggies.  A commonly asked question is, “Does aquaponics require sunlight?” Read on!

Aquaponics requires light not necessarily sunlight for plants to grow well.  As a result, you can also use artificial lights to meet this need.  

Fish also don’t need sunlight per se, but they do need periods of light and dark in order to thrive.  Without this, they can become sluggish and sick.  This too can be provided by artificial lights.  

As a result, you can see that you can set up your aquaponics systems indoors or outdoors as long as you provide light for your plants and periods of light and darkness for the fish.

When it comes to the amount of light the fish need it depends on the following two factors:

  1. The species of fish you choose
  2. The environmental conditions of your aquaponics system

Generally speaking, however, most aquaponic fish need 12 hours of light each day.

SHOULD YOU CHOOSE SUNLIGHT OR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT FOR YOUR AQUAPONICS SYSTEM?

If you live in an area that has a plentiful supply of sunlight then you can set up your aquaponics system outside.  However, it’s important to remember that fish don’t thrive with too much exposure to sunlight.  To counteract this you can cover your fish tank with netting.

If you need to set your aquaponics system up indoors due to space constraints then you will need to go with artificial lighting.

Learning to grow your own food is one of the most valuable things you can learn.  It’s an important factor in off-grid living and the health benefits of eating organic food are numerous too. 

Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits of eating organic veggies:

BENEFITS OF EATING ORGANIC VEGGIES

  • It’s free of chemicals and pesticides
  • Organic veggies are fresh
  • Organic veggie farming is environmentally friendly
  • It’s GMO-free 
  • The veggies have more beneficial nutrients
  • They don’t impact your health negatively

As you can see from the above-mentioned benefits it’s well worth learning how to grow your own organic veggies.  It’s true that you can buy this from the shop or a farmer’s market, however, this can become pricy.  Growing your own organic veggies will help you cut down on these costs.  And in addition, it’s so rewarding to grow veggies and reap the rewards of your efforts!

Contact us for water tank and water filtration quotes, Cape Town!

Categories
Aquaponics

WHAT FISH SHOULD YOU USE WITH AQUAPONICS?

Koi fish in a pond
What fish should you use with aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a method of growing plants in water with the help of fish.  The fish and plants live in a symbiotic relationship.  Each one provides the needs of the other.  It’s an effective way of growing plants, particularly veggies.  If you’re familiar with aquaponics you may be wondering what fish you should use with aquaponics. 

You need to take the following factors into consideration when deciding on the type of fish to add to your aquaponics system:

1. WILL THE FISH BE EDIBLE OR ORNAMENTAL?

If you are wanting to raise edible fish (eg: tilapia) you need to consider that they can be tricky to maintain and need specific conditions to thrive.  Ornamental fish (eg: goldfish) on the other hand, are less costly and easier to maintain.

2. TEMPERATURE

You need to consider the temperatures of the area you live in.  Some fish need cold water temperatures and some need warm water temperatures.  So keep this in mind when choosing your fish.

3. AVAILABILITY IN YOUR LOCATION

Always check what fish are available in your location.  Additionally, it’s also essential to check which fish are legal to farm in your area.  Some fish also require a permit to farm.  So be sure to check into this.

4. THE LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE REQUIRED FOR THE FISH

Fish differ in the level of care and maintenance that they need to thrive. Some are very sensitive and need a high level of care while others are more hardy and require less care. If you’re looking for fish that does not need costly maintenance then choose fish like, tilapia, koi or goldfish.

5. HOW THE FISH BREED

This is an important consideration. Some fish, like tilapia, breed very quickly in captivity. On the other hand, you get fish species that won’t breed at all in captivity. As a result, you need to carefully choose your fish so that you have one that will breed well.

6. THE DIET YOU FEED YOUR FISH

The food your fish consume becomes the nutrients that sustain the plants. As a result, it’s essential to make sure that you are feeding them a diet that is well-balanced with proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals.

This is important to factor into consideration when choosing the fish for your aquaponics system. If you choose fish with high maintenance needs it will ultimately impact how much you will spend financially.

7. THE SIZE OF THE TANK

The size of the tank depends on the type of fish you choose. Some fish grow big and need lots of space. In addition, some fish also don’t thrive in a crowded tank. So keep this in mind when choosing the fish for your aquaponics system.

We’ve looked at some of the factors to keep in mind when deciding what fish to use with aquaponics. Use these guidelines to help you decide which type of fish to go with for your aquaponics system.

In addition, it’s also a good idea to join your local FB aquaponics group. It’s a great place to ask any questions you may have and get feedback from people who have experience with aquaponics.

Aquaponics is an effective way to grow veggies. Follow the above guidelines to help choose your fish and enjoy growing your own fresh veggies!

Contact us for water filtration and water tank quotes!

Categories
Sustainable Living Veggie Gardening

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AQUAPONICS & HYDROPONICS

Fresh veggies in a basket
The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics

In general, when it comes to growing veggies we tend to think of growing them in soil.  But you can also grow them in water.  We are talking about aquaponics and hydroponics.  These terms can be confusing so let’s look at the difference between aquaponics & hydroponics.

Both aquaponics and hydroponics involve growing veggies in water.  However, a hydroponics system only contains plants. The gardener adds the nutrients the veggies need to the system.  By contrast, aquaponics is based on a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants.  The nutrients are provided through the waste excreted from the fish. The beneficial microbes added to the system transform this waste from the fish into nutrients for the plants. And in turn, the plants filter the water which gives the fish a clean environment. In this way, the fish and plants work together symbiotically.

The decision to use aquaponics or hydroponics to grow veggies comes down to personal preference.  However, it’s important to note that both these systems have benefits. They share the following benefits:

  • The plants have a longer growing season. People often place these setups in a covered area. This means they are protected from the climate and have artificial lighting. As a result, the plants grow for a longer period of time.
  • They have less of a negative impact on the environment.
  • The plants grow faster.
  • You get higher yields of veggies.

Moving towards a more self-sustaining way of living means that we have to think about growing our own food.  Aquaponics and hydroponics allow us to do this effectively. While there will be initial set-up costs, it’s well worth investing in this. As a result, you can have food security and access to healthy organic food.

We’re here to help you on your journey. We can all take steps towards growing our own food. Even if space is limited we can all grow something, even herbs on a window sill. Learning to grow food to whatever degree we can is an essential life skill we all need.

Contact us for water tanks & water filtration quotes!