How to protect the appliances that power your life
If you ever wonder how you would get through life without the appliances in your house, you will know how important it is to protect them.
The most expensive fridge in South Africa costs a whopping R1 million, while a top-of-the-range TV could set you back even more. However, for most of us, the total value of every single household appliance we own does not even come close to this figure.
ALSO READ: Power surges and insurance: How to deal with the other load shedding monsters
But this does not mean that we can do without them and should not take every precaution when it comes to protecting them, Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance, says.
'Protecting our fridges, TVs and other appliances from power surges and the effects of wear and tear will help to ensure that they continue to work for years to come.'
Van Vuuren warns that power surges can damage sensitive electronic components like circuit boards and processors, causing appliances to stop working altogether. Power surges are sudden spikes in electrical voltage when the power supply to your home is suddenly interrupted or switched back on, or if lightning strikes.
Best way to protect your appliances against power surges
The best way to help prevent power surge damage is to install a surge protection device on your home's electrical distribution board (DB), he says.
'Using one device to protect everything that has a plug makes much more sense than buying separate adapters for each plug point. Because it covers all the phases and is always on, DB surge protection removes 'user error' from the equation and will likely also work out to be more cost-effective.'
Van Vuuren says when choosing power surge protection for your DB, look for a SABS-approved device and have it fitted by a qualified electrician who can provide you with a certificate of compliance.
ALSO READ: Load shedding can destroy your appliances – here's how to avoid it
If you want to buy a new appliance, it is important to balance quality with affordability, he says. 'Some of the less expensive brands only offer guarantees or warranties for short periods of time and there may be no technical support if some of the parts fail.
He points out that there are things you can do to prevent damage from wear and tear and extend the lifespan of the appliances you already have. 'Washing machines and dishwashers will benefit from being serviced regularly and keeping their filters and water connections clean.
Why maintenance of your appliances is also important
'Most of the claims for household appliances that King Price sees are for fridges and while these cannot be serviced, keeping them clean, topping up the gas and defrosting them when necessary and dusting behind them regularly will help to keep them working efficiently for longer.'
Van Vuuren notes that insurers generally do not cover damage due to wear and tear and therefore regular maintenance is critical. Insurers also do not cover damage that is the result of grid interruption, making protection at the DB board a very wise move.
'Ask your insurer if it has the option of adding cover for power surge damage due to loadshedding. Most home contents policies cover lightning damage. We advise all consumers to check their policy schedules to confirm whether they have this cover and also to check their policy documents to understand the difference between 'grid interruption' and 'loadshedding'.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Apple and pear exports lost R1 billion in 2024 due to Cape Town port inefficiencies
It is not only US tariffs that keep farmers and export agents up at night. The state of the Cape Town port also has them counting apples. South Africa's apple and pear export industry is calling for Transnet to act due to the mounting losses caused by inefficiencies at the port of Cape Town, estimating that delays and logistical bottlenecks have cost the sector around R1 billion in 2024 alone. The Western Cape department of mobility met with Two-a-Day, an apple and pear packing and marketing cooperative, and its logistics partner, Link Supply Chain Management, on Monday for a strategic discussion and site visit to tackle the logistic challenges affecting the fruit export industry. At the meeting, industry role players warned that without urgent intervention, including the fast-tracking of the port's privatisation, the country risks losing hard-won market share in key global markets. 'We work in a complex, time-sensitive value chain. If a vessel to Europe, the United Kingdom, or the Far East is missed, the sale is gone. You do not get a second chance to deliver on time in a programme-driven market. Logistics is the single biggest risk for us right now. 'If we cannot get our product out, everything else, from on-farm innovation to market development, is compromised,' Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, says. ALSO READ: Cape Town port ranked the worst in the world Delays at Cape Town port force diversions to Port Elizabeth, costing money Chris Petzer, operations director at Two-a-Day, explains that port delays often force the business to divert containers to Port Elizabeth at significant cost, simply to keep the supply chain moving and avoid halting harvest and packing operations. 'It is not sustainable, but sometimes it is the only option to prevent greater losses.' Although the Cape Town port's efficiency is slightly improving, according to Chris Knoetze, managing director of Link Supply Chain Management, a fourth-party logistics provider owned by several of the Western Cape's leading fruit exporting companies, including Two-a-Day and Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, it is still throttling exports. A more effective port with higher productivity will attract more vessels and services, expand capacity and give more reliable shipping options to various export markets. 'Given several interventions, like Transnet's appointment and changes at senior management level, the repair and maintenance of equipment, solving personnel matters, focusing on operational improvement and capital investment in new rubber tyre gantry cranes (RTGs) in Cape Town Container Terminal, we should expect to see a step change in productivity to at least twenty gross crane movements per hour (GCH) or more in the coming months. 'However, the process is still too slow and far removed from the 33 GCH reported by Transnet in November 2012. When port operations are disrupted, it affects product quality, increases costs and damages our credibility with overseas buyers.' ALSO READ: Where are the private sector plans for Cape Town port? Inefficiencies cost apple and pear industry R1 billion in 2024 Knoetze emphasises that inefficiencies have cost the apple and pear industry in the Western Cape an estimated R1 billion in 2024 due to additional storage, trucking and plug-in costs, as well as missed market opportunities when vessels bypass Cape Town. 'We urgently need to fast-track the privatisation of the Cape Town terminal to restore competitiveness.' The Department of Mobility confirmed that it is actively pursuing measures to tackle these constraints. Corrine Gallant, deputy director-general of the Western Cape's mobility department, outlined existing initiatives, including the port of Cape Town's Logistics Development Project Management Unit and plans to revitalise rail infrastructure. 'We are working on the landside and waterside inefficiencies. This includes improving road freight safety and capacity, restoring rail services like the Overberg line and ensuring that the Western Cape's needs are heard at a national level. 'We cannot afford more costs down the chain. Our focus is on solutions that remove bottlenecks and protect jobs.' ALSO READ: US tariffs: SA sends new proposal but no changes to laws Global shipping bypasses port due to inefficiencies Industry representatives stressed that time is critical and warned that delays in decision-making could see global shipping lines bypass Cape Town in favour of more efficient ports, delaying fruit by one to two weeks and undermining the Western Cape's competitiveness. 'The farmers, pack-houses and exporters are investing in efficiency every day. Now we need the same urgency and commitment at the port, as without it, the entire value chain is at risk,' Gerhard van Heerden, director at Link Supply Chain Management, warns. Isaac Sileku, Western Cape minister of mobility, echoed this and emphasised the need for urgency and structured collaboration with Transnet. 'We cannot afford to be reactive. We must have formal agreements and mechanisms in place so that when bottlenecks arise, we know exactly which button to press. Speed of execution is critical — our farmers and exporters cannot wait years for solutions.' The session concluded with agreement on the need for: Faster execution of port and rail improvement projects. Formal industry-government forums with direct access to decision-makers. Targeted short-, medium- and long-term actions to resolve 'low-hanging fruit' issues and systemic challenges. The Western Cape apple and pear industry contributes significantly to local employment and the provincial economy and stakeholders agreed that improving Cape Town's port efficiency is essential not only for sustaining the sector but also for enhancing South Africa's competitiveness in global fruit markets.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
GPAA summoned by Parliament to explain controversial rental agreement
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Jan de Villiers, said the committee will require full disclosure of all documentation and decision-making processes that led to the conclusion of the lease agreement by Government Pension Administrators Agency. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Parliament is set to call on the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) to answer pressing questions regarding the refurbishment of a building for a multimillion-rand office rental agreement. The committee's planned action takes place as ActionSA has formally written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, expressing serious concern over the refurbishment of the building and the office lease agreement entered into by PGAA. The GPAA, which administers funds and schemes for the Government Employees Pension Fund, reportedly paid R270 million to contractors for refurbishing a building linked to a 10-year office lease agreement estimated at R1 billion. Jan de Villiers, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, said they were concerned over reports alleging several irregularities in an agreement of the GPAA to lease a building for its headquarters for the next 10 years. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ De Villiers said that the contract showed a potential abuse of public funds. He stated that the committee would summon the GPAA to appear before it and provide details regarding the circumstances surrounding the contract. 'The committee will require full disclosure of all documentation and decision-making processes that led to the conclusion of the agreement,' said De Villiers. The committee welcomed Godongwana's decision to launch an investigation into the contract and that they will closely monitor its progress. De Villiers said every effort to ensure complete transparency and accountability should be welcomed. 'The allegations are extremely serious. It points to potential financial misconduct and a possible breach of fiduciary duties to pensioners and the public. As a committee, we must ensure accountability and prevent any recurrence.' De Villiers said should any fraud or criminal conduct be uncovered, appropriate remedial action, including referrals to law enforcement bodies, should be taken. ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said the contracts raised serious questions about governance, accountability, and oversight within the body entrusted with safeguarding the pension savings of thousands of public servants. 'Government employees deserve confidence that their retirement savings are managed with the utmost integrity and prudence. Allegations of irregular and unauthorised spending erode this trust and cannot be ignored,' he said. Trollip also said ActionSA has given Godongwana seven calendar days to provide a full and transparent explanation on the matter. 'Failure to do so will leave us no choice but to escalate this matter in Parliament and to appropriate oversight bodies,' he said. Meanwhile, the GPAA said the report on which the media report was based came when the matter was a subject of an audit process that was under way. 'We reiterate that our process to procure the services mentioned was fair, transparent, and competitive.'
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
DA declares war on B-BBEE system
The DA vows to scrap B-BBEE in favor of merit-based policies aimed at job creation and economic growth. With a six-point economic plan in its arsenal, the DA is planning an all-out assault on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) and employment equity, says party leader John Steenhuisen. Quoting the R1 trillion empowerment spoils enjoyed by about 100 politically connected people – as pointed out by William Gumede, associate professor at the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand earlier this year – Steenhuisen said they were proposing policies which will be merit-based. 'It's the story of millions of South Africans: locked out by a system that rewards the connected and punishes the rest. DA vows to scrap B-BBEE 'B-BBEE has done nothing for ordinary South Africans.' At a media conference yesterday, he called B-BBEE laws one of the country's greatest dead-ends to economic progress. 'B-BBEE, in practice, has become a hurdle rather than a help. Business are forced to comply with onerous and costly criteria if they are to have full access to opportunities. ALSO READ: DA reveals plan to 'turbocharge' SA economy with Eskom shake-up and scrapping BBBEE 'In many cases, achieving all criteria are beyond the available cash of SMEs, making it hard for them to prosper, while large, connected organisations continue to rake in the rewards. 'The only empowerment South Africa needs is more jobs.' Steenhuisen said the DA's plan would turbocharge economic development. Six-point plan 'We don't need another talk shop to discuss what needs to be done,' he said, again dismissing the ANC's plans to run a National Dialogue about the economy, as well as its cost of R700 million. The party withdrew from it earlier this year. The plan proposes replacing existing empowerment and equity laws with policies that create opportunity based on need and merit, removing red tape for small businesses and reforming labour laws to make it easier to employ citizens and expand. The party also wants Eskom's monopoly broken, with the electricity sector opened to competition in both generation and distribution, and municipal electricity revenue ring-fenced for investment in infrastructure. ALSO READ: The DA also called for urgent modernisation of rail, ports and digital networks, including the concession of freight rail and port terminals to private operators and ending Transnet's monopoly. Steenhuisen said SA's poor port rankings were holding back exports and economic growth. Public spending reform, particularly around flaccid stateowned enterprises (SOEs) is another priority. Public spending reform a priority 'Bailouts to SOEs have cost R310 billion. Enough is enough. Government needs to stabilise debt, cut waste and root out ghost employees,' said Steenhuisen. 'Public money must build infrastructure and provide services, not bankroll incompetence.' The plan also touches on local government failures and stabilising coalition administrations. ALSO READ: 'Military veterans' born in the 90s banked R3.5 million in business support 'Coalition chaos, corruption and collapsed service delivery cannot continue,' he said. Minimum representation thresholds for councils must be implemented to protect service revenue such as profits from the sale of electricity, so it is reinvested in infrastructure. The party also wants greater private sector involvement in municipalities that are unable to deliver basic services. 'Restoring the rule of law' On restoring the rule of law, he said: 'SA is in need of a professional, well-equipped police service that can effectively fight crime and make South Africans feel safe in their homes again.' This includes establishing a new anticorruption commission, 'a Scorpions 2.0'. The DA also called for lifestyle audits on senior police officials, strengthening rural safety measures and improving police capacity to combat crime. Steenhuisen said these reforms were simple and could 'build a superhighway to prosperity' and create an economy where participation is not determined by race or political connections. ALSO READ: Malema's EFF calls for 'removal' of McKenzie over K-word slurs The DA intends to table the plan in Cabinet and parliament. 'The ANC can no longer just steamroller whatever they want into law,' Steenhuisen said. 'This must become a fight: a fight for growth, a fight for jobs. 'If you want clean water in your taps, electricity you can rely on and jobs for your children, this is your plan.'
