Load shedding: simple precautions can reduce its disruptive effects.

The power load shedding to which  Capetonians are now being subjected is the worst that they have had to accept so far-but, says Rowan Alexander, Director of Alexander Swart Property, the inconvenience and annoyance can be partially alleviated if people prepare themselves for these cut-off periods.

The first step, he says, should be to get hold of the regularly published online Eskom schedules which set out the times and areas in which these power cuts will take place. The schedules should be displayed prominently in the home e.g. on the refrigerator door and all the home'soccupants  should be kept aware of them.

Then, says Alexander,  before any cut-offs occur, all power hungry equipment such as geysers,  DStv, and swimming pool filters should be switched off. In particular, also, all electronic equipment, especially computers and laptops, should be closed down because these can be seriously affected both when the  power is cut off and when it  returns, especially if it  does so with a strong surge.

Home owners or occupants, says Alexander, should also inspect the battery back-ups that ensure that sliding gates, garage doors, electric fencing, burglar alarms, CCTV and other security equipment will keep working during the shut downs. It may not be possible for the average home owner to assess if his batteries are being efficiently charged but, if there is any doubt on this matter, the original installers should be called in to give their opinion.

Those with gas powered cooking installations are now in a strong position -but they should be careful to check their gas levels, says Alexander. It is not uncommon these days to find householders who run out of both electric power and gas on the same day.

Obviously, too, now is the time to stock up on candles, paraffin and gas lamps, many of which today give as powerful a light as the electric systems.

Alexander concluded his comments by warning, as he did in the water shortage crisis, that there is always a danger of over-reacting. Since load shedding was introduced, he says, some people have "gone overboard' in investing in alternative systems such as solar power, stand-by generators and even complete off-grid  systems - just as some did with boreholes and major storage facilities at the time of the water shortages last year.  Many of these new installations are, in fact, now illegal i.e. contrary to Municipal regulations and\or  subject to  irksome controls, in the same way as borehole users are now regulated and supposed to keep records of all water usage. In the case of off-grid electrical systems, said Alexander, the City Council has already put in place regulations to prevent home owners going off-grid without the Council's permission. Anyone wishing to go this route at Cape Town will have comply with new SSEG (small scale embedded generation) systems regulations  and register their installations with the Council for authorisation before the 31^st May - and the Council now has the right to disconnect any illegal electricity supply at the home owner's cost, and to fine him up to R10 000 if the Courts confirm the conviction.

"The money spent on many alternative arrangements could turn out to be wasted if  the State or the municipalities start cracking down on irregularities and unauthorised installations. My message, therefore, is:  do not over-react. The predicament we  face is seriously  disruptive, especially for industries reliant on electric power but householders  who plan for it daily and weekly will be able to cope without massive extra expenditure."

For further information, contact Rowan Alexander on 082 581 3116 or by email on  rowan@asproperty.co.za.