Household coal use in an urban township in South Africa

Abstract

Coal is used as a domestic source of energy by low-income households in South Africa. Coal is an affordable fuel source and provides a dual utility – it warms the house and allows cooking to take place in the same appliance utilising only one fuel. Despite affordability and accessibility of the fuel, the use of coal results in extremely high levels of air pol-lution and concomitant respiratory diseases – an estimated $160 million per annum in South Africa. Access to electricity does not result in households switching away from coal since electricity and elec-trical appliances are regarded as unaffordable. This paper presents information collected during a base-line energy survey in an electrified urban township in South Africa, and outlines the way in which coal is used and purchased by poor households. An alternative fire lighting method, proven to reduce smoke and air pollution form coal fires has been demonstrated to households with promising results. An integrated approach, addressing energy efficient housing design, the supply of clean and efficient energy appliances together with the use of the alter-native fire lighting method, is recommended to address pollution from household coal use.