This year’s summer holiday essentials shouldn’t only include sunscreen but technology that keeps your accommodation as comfortable and hygienic as your home – no matter where you’re staying and what level of loadshedding you’re dealing with.
Trevor Brewer, Director of lifestyle and air treatment technology specialist Solenco, says that smart holidaymakers are packing portable air treatment devices to help deal with extreme heat; high humidity; arid, windy conditions; and dust and pollen. “Whether you’re headed to the beach, bush or berg, innovative technology can cool you down, keep you drier where it’s humid or less parched where it’s dry, and help you to breathe more easily in dusty or pollen-rich areas.”
Depending on where in South Africa you travel to, here are Brewer’s top energy-wise and compact holiday-tech recommendations:
Drying out damp
The KZN coast is sublime in December, but the humidity can cause clothing and furniture to smell musty, and can cause damp and mould – especially if the house isn’t aired regularly. To combat this, the Solenco 5L Low Energy Dehumidifier can extract five litres of moisture per day at 30-degree heat and 80% relative humidity. It’s the most compact (and easy to pack) compressor-type dehumidifier in South Africa, and it runs quietly, so you’ll still hear the waves.
Adding moisture to dry air
The Western Cape and Karoo don’t get summer rainfall and can be uncomfortably dry in December. If you’re heading there, the Solenco Top Filling Ultrasonic Humidifier will help to alleviate dehydrated skin, sore throats, itchy eyes and sinus discomfort. It has an aroma diffuser, three mist levels, sterilises the air before misting it – helping to reduce allergies and infections – and will continue operating post-loadshedding.
Dealing with dust and sand
As much as seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitat is a privilege, the dusty bushveld air can bring on a host of uncomfortable reactions. This is where the Solenco Air Purification Pal’s four-stage purification system comes into play. It kills bacteria and viruses and traps up to 99.97% of particles, allergens, pollen, dust, smoke, mould spores and pet dander. Breathing cleaner air has any number of immediate benefits, including improved sleep quality, making the Air Purification Pal a must-have for families.
For those driving to the beach, the recently launched HOBOT Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, The LEGEE D8 and its 4-in-1 Cleaning Station the LEGEE-Lulu, is a hands-and hassle-free cleaning companion to take to holiday homes, because no-one wants to be sweeping up on holiday.
Keeping the heat at bay
To beat the summer heat, the Meaco 260c Cordless Air Circulator should be at the top of your packing list. It’s small, lightweight, portable and cordless, so you can move it from the patio to the kitchen to your yoga mat on the beach. With a USB charger, it powers up pretty much anywhere and, fully-charged, it runs for up to 14 hours. It will also keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay.
And finally, says Brewer, don’t forget to pack an inverter. “All of these products are inverter-friendly, and there is an abundance of affordable, travel-friendly inverter options out there. With technology on your side – and in your suitcase – you can enjoy a comfortable breakaway anywhere in sunny South Africa.”
