We are now officially in winter or will be in 15 days’ time (June 21 ), depending on how you wish to argue the point.
It is simpler for calculations working on calendar months rather than using the solstice or equinox as the yardstick.
Besides, working it that way would mean that June 21 (winter solstice) would make it midwinter, which it is not.
Believe me, we have plenty more cold nights to endure before we can start enjoying the spring blossoms.
So much so, that I am seriously considering revitalising my fireplace that has not been operational for years.
I always considered having one in the Bay a waste, as it never gets cold enough to warrant it.
Though on average we have 97 days with minimums below 10°C, we only really drop below 5°C on around 14 days in Nelson Mandela Bay.
That is at the airport, and we know the western suburbs and especially Kariega/Uitenhage reaches those temperatures more often.
The older I get the thinner my blood has become, and the more I am starting to feel the cold, so where in the past I would consider below 5°C as cold, 10°C is already freezing for me.
Add to that windy and rainy nights, with a high wind chill factor making it feel colder than it is, then the idea of a cosy fireplace to snuggle up next to sounds even more attractive.
Considering that the recent approved electricity tariff increase of 12.8% puts the cost well above R3 a unit and fast approaching R4 a unit, conventional electric heating systems are fast becoming unaffordable for many of us.
Built-in or fee-standing fireplaces are thus becoming more attractive to the average homeowner.
There is even a move towards gas and outdoor wood water heaters known as “donkies” (Afrikaans).
This most especially considering that the price of wood from the roadside sellers has stagnated for years, with the average price of Black Wattle at R10 a bag and Rooikrans at R15. Maybe Eskom executives should take some tips from them.
I am even considering adding a gas heating water system as my solar geyser system does not provide sufficient hot water during winter, due to shorter days and fewer sunshine hours.
This means that my electricity account skyrockets in winter, as heating is the biggest user of electricity.
I do not think that there are many households that run conventional electric stoves and most have either gas hobs or induction stoves at the least.
Unfortunately, the high cost of electricity is pushing larger sections of the population back to the reliance on fossil fuels, and we all know the implications of them on the environment and especially climate change.
We fully understand that the underprivileged have no option but to rely on fossil fuels for warmth and cooking, but when larger sections of the population join this out of necessity due to high costs, then we should start questioning the damage that these prices are putting on the environment.
Yes, the rich man sitting on his plush leather Chesterfield armchair and sipping a 12-year-old whiskey in front of a warming fire is romantic, but that should be left to a scene from a Hollywood movie and special evenings for young lovers. It should not become the norm.
In modern society, who wants to cart, chop and stack wood, then clean the fireplace afterwards?
It is more convenient to switch on a heater with artificial flames if you want to be romantic.
Granted, though most electricity is produced from fossil fuels, a certain amount is produced from nuclear and wind energy, thus slightly limiting the effect on the environment.
Staying with the strain that is being put on the consumer, our water tariffs are still at a high level, with most restrictions still in place that existed during the drought.
This even though we are only now entering our rainy season and have already had average rainfall for the first five months of the year. This has only occurred once since 2015.
We have just dipped below the 70% combined dam level mark and the seasonal forecast is not favourable, but if we compare how our water supply has been augmented through and after the drought, one could say that the metro is in a healthy position waterwise.
Likewise to installing a fireplace, solar water heating or a gas hob to help escape high electricity costs, installing more water tanks can help to minimise the high costs of water.
Considering that we are not in a drought and the prices have not dropped drastically can only mean that they will also skyrocket with the next drought.
This week in history:
2013: Snow reported from Graaff-Reinet
Dam Levels
69.79% slightly down from previous week’s 70.24%. Impofu down to 52.3%
Weather Safety Tips:
If you are using an open flame indoor fireplace for heating, always have a fire extinguisher at hand and use a fire screen to prevent sparks starting a secondary fire.
The Herald
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