In South Africa, load shedding is a regular occurrence that disrupts daily life. But, with the help of modern technology, South Africans are now tackling loadshedding the smart way.

It has become increasingly common for people to turn to smart devices to make their lives easier, especially in the home. Load shedding no longer has to be a major inconvenience for households. They are changing the way households deal with load shedding in South Africa, making it easier to manage and live through. Smart lights, batteries, appliances, security systems, and thermostats provide homeowners with reliable sources of power during outages.

Neil Munsamy, who is the sales director from BNETA International (Pty) Ltd added that one of the most important aspects to think about when it comes to load shedding is security.  “Of course when your entire network is down you need to have coverage for your security and safety especially at your home or business and that is why we push these battery cameras because they cover your security without any power needed. Just ensure that there is a wifi connection and that’s what makes these devices smart.”

They also help to reduce reliance on the national grid and save money on electricity bills. As technology continues to evolve, it’s exciting to imagine what new smart devices will be available in the future and how they’ll make our lives even easier during difficult times. With appliances being connected to apps on smart devices, one click of a button and you’ve saved a massive amount of electricity while being so far away.

Devices such as smart batteries, like those used in solar-powered systems, can be used to store energy during times when there is electricity and then used to power homes during outages. These batteries are often equipped with monitoring and management systems that allow homeowners to keep track of their energy usage and optimize their storage capacity.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the ways that smart devices are making life easier in the home during load shedding in South Africa.

Tech company BNETA gives us three products that can help ease load shedding in South Africa:

EZVIZ eLife (BC1C) Wire-Free Battery Camera:

The EZVIZ eLife Wire-Free Battery Camera is an all-in-one security camera, making it easier to monitor your property even in the dark.

Some pros and cons of the EZVIZ eLife Wire-Free Battery Camera include:

Pros:

• Rechargeable lithium battery that lasts up to 210 days on one full charge
• All-in-one security camera with FullHD 1080p video, alarm system, two-way audio, and PIR motion detection
• Full-colour night vision with built-in two LED spotlights
• Real-time notifications when it detects motion of human shapes
• Remote-activated alarm system includes a loud siren and LED flash
• Audio recording with built-in noise-canceling microphone
• Weatherproof IP65 housing
• Built-in 32GB eMMC storage
• Works with Alexa and Google Home

Cons:

• More expensive than some other security camera options
• Requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to work properly

BNETA IoT Smart Pet Feeder:

The BNETA IoT Smart Pet Feeder is a remote-controlled pet feeder. It boasts a dual power source, with support for both battery and power adaptor dispensing during a power cut.

Some of the pros and cons of the BNETA IoT Smart Pet Feeder are:

Pros:

• App remote operation
• Fish-eye 1.2M HD camera for remote monitoring
• Real-time sharing
• Voice interaction with two-way audio
• Dual power support for dispensing food during power cuts

Cons:

• More expensive than traditional pet feeders
• Requires a strong Wi-Fi connection to work properly

BNETA IoT Smart WiFi Plug – with Power Meter:

The BNETA IoT Smart WiFi Plug is a Wi-Fi-enabled plug that allows you to remotely control your devices through a smartphone app. It has a power meter that monitors power usage, and it can be used to set timers and on/off schedules.

These are the pros and cons of the BNETA IoT Smart WiFi Plug include:

Pros:

• Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
• Remote control via a free smartphone app
• No hub required and supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks
• Setting timer and on/off scheduling
• Monitoring power usage
• Group controlling BNETA IoT products (Bulbs and power plugs)
• Sharing access

Cons:

• Only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks
• Cannot be used with high wattage devices

All the little kinks to keep you going in the dark. All the convenience and control during power outages. While there are some pros and cons, they offer unique features that make them a worthwhile investment for those who want to be prepared for load shedding.