Happy New Year! We hope this edition of Hot Water News finds you well rested and in good health. It's hard to believe that 2009 is in full swing already. We hope you are as excited about the year as we are. We will continue to keep you posted on the latest environmental and energy news and alternative energy solutions in each edition of Hot Water News. We would love to hear from you. Send your comments and suggestions to Kristia van Heerden . Image of the week This week's environmental image of the week comes from http://gauravmoghe.files.wordpress.com/ Eskom rate increases loom An ongoing energy shortage could empty your pockets faster than you can say load shedding. Few sayings ring as true as, "out of sight, out of mind". Eskom's troubles are a prime example. We had our first taste of load shedding a year ago. Many households found alternative energy solutions during this period to avoid cold showers and darkness. Electricity prices became a hot topic, but as soon as load shedding stopped, so did everyone's concern for South Africa's energy crisis. Unfortunately the electricity crisis didn't go away when every one got bored with the topic. According to reports Eskom will soon be submitting their tariff adjustment application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).		Eskom spokesperson Fani Zulu told Engineering News Online the long-term impacts on demand need to betaken into consideration when discussing the tariff hikes. The increased electricity prices should come into effect from April 2009. To find out how Solahart helps you save energy, click here . Cape Town leans towards the sun The Mother City pushes visionary bylaw. Cape Town is fast becoming the African trendsetter for electricity savings and environmental consciousness. The city aims to pass a bylaw that makes solar water heaters mandatory for all new buildings. The mandatory installation of solar geysers will aid in Cape Town's target to have solar geysers on 10% of residential buildings by 2010. The Journal of Facilities Management reports the bylaw could go into public participation soon. We'll keep you posted. A special Christmas tale Understanding the electricity crisis just became a whole lot easier. Understanding the politics and difficulties around electricity supply is a nightmare for us mere mortals. We discovered an article that helped us understand it a little better. Hopefully it'll do the same for you. Click here to read A Christmas Visitation by Jacob Marley. Coaching your footprint Make sure you take your first environmentally friendly step in 2009. Many rehabilitation programmes are based on the premise that you can only fix something once you admit there is a problem. Many people still haven't faced the fact that carbon emissions are destroying the environment at an alarming rate. It's the beginning of the year and many people already have their mental resolution list drawn up. Be sure to add greater environmental consciousness under losing weight and painting the bathroom. A good place to start on your way to becoming an environmentally responsible citizen is The Carbon Coach . This website is dedicated to helping individuals reduce their carbon footprint. The website explains exactly what the consequences of carbon emissions are and how you can help by making small changes to your lifestyle. If you have any ideas on reducing carbon emissions, feel free to share them with us . We'll include your ideas in the next edition of Hot Water News. National Geographic's Green Guide is also worth a look. This guide encourages consumers to pay attention to the products they purchase. The site offers tips and product catalogues for environmentally friendly and safer products, ranging from household items to cosmetics. Until 22 January, Keep in the sunlight!