Additionally, the burgeoning demand for homes in secure estates during the last decade has precipitated a move from rampant development to sustainable, environmentally conscious building in this sector and we have begun to see the establishment of eco-estates and more sustainable building practices.
And, with resources increasingly strained across the board, it’s both environmentally and financially prudent to be as eco-friendly as possible. And these upgrades will only reward homeowners with a significant return on investment in the short term, they’ll also add value to their properties in the long term.
Obviously, the best results are achieved when implementing energy-efficient measures at the construction stage rather than installing them in an existing house, however, there are many ways to make an existing home more eco-friendly and energy efficient.
However, homeowners need to do their homework and weigh up systems they install against what will boost the resale value of their properties.
Savvy home options
Solar-powered water geysers: These are usually first on the list when it comes to installing energy-saving devices, because geysers account for around 50% of a household’s electricity usage. Priced between R4000 and R25 000, you need to consider factors like the size of your home as well as it’s value when deciding which to buy.
Depending on which you buy, the cost can be recouped in savings over approximately five years. Eskom also offers a rebate for SANS-approved systems.
Solar water heaters are also the energy-saving devices that prospective buyers and tenants generally get most excited about, especially those comprising larger families.
Solar energy: South Africa has the perfect climate for this feature and making it even more financially attractive is the fact that the government, through the South African Revenue Service, offers a tax benefit for the installation of photovoltaic solar energy generation equipment.
Insulation: A considerable amount of energy is used heating and cooling our homes so ceiling insulation and double- or triple-glazed windows will not only save in energy costs, they definitely add buyer-appeal. They also reduce heat loss by up to 50%.
Grey water irrigation system: These are especially handy in homes with gardens where over 45% of usage often goes to irrigation. The system you choose is largely dependent on the size of your garden and the number of people in your household. Not only will you save on water and costs, a gorgeous garden certainly enhances resale value.
Rain water harvesting: Starting at around R2200 for a 1000 litre unit, water tanks pay for themselves very quickly and can significantly cut your water costs. Rain water is also relatively pure with none of the added chemicals found in tap water.
Flooring: Brick or concrete are best for maintaining comfortable temperatures as they are good at absorbing heat during the day and releasing this slowly at night.
Passive solar design options: These include: installing window shutters, awnings or screens to cool rooms, adding a skylight in the roof to allow natural light into the house and eliminate the need for artificial lighting and installing energy efficient light bulbs (CFLs) throughout the house.
If you have any doubts about achieving a return on these investments down the line when you decide to sell, remember that Millennials (consumers under the age of 35) not only account for almost 30% of the population, they are now also the largest home-buying group.
They are also far more concerned about environmental issues than any previous generation and will therefore generally find homes with eco-friendly and energy-efficient features more appealing – now and in the future.
Commercial sector
‘Green’ building is still a matter of choice in South Africa, but revised building regulations promulgated in 2011 stipulate that all new buildings must be constructed in accordance with a list of energy-efficient specifications that cover aspects such as insulation, water, roofing, lighting and water heating.
According to the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Guide to Costs and Trends Report, energy-efficient buildings now have an average cost premium of only around 5% compared to conventional construction.
This means that the additional outlay is quickly recovered, after which investors have substantial savings on running costs to look forward to in the years to come.
And considering that energy-efficient buildings consume about a third less electricity and half the amount of water than un-retrofitted older builds, it makes sense to green build from the get-go as it not only significantly reduces monthly utility costs but also impacts long-term financial returns.
With energy costs rising steeply and water an increasingly scarce commodity, landlords of older buildings are beginning to realise that it is well worth the capital outlay to refit them with key elements like eco-insulation, energy-efficient lighting and water-saving devices.
An additional incentive for those still in two minds about implementing the changes, is the results of recent research which revealed that energy-efficient buildings enjoy higher occupancy levels and higher net incomes and income growth than their older, less energy-efficient counterparts.
Consumer push
Developers who produce homes that are not only eco-friendly, but also offer higher quality and better value than other builders, they always have a competitive edge because with South Africa’s rising energy costs, buyers will certainly be keener to buy properties that are less expensive to run in the long term.
Properties offering energy-efficient solutions and technologies that enable homeowners to reduce electricity consumption and save money will soon be some of the most desirable properties around.
And buyers that are deciding between two similar properties they love equally with the difference being that one has no energy-efficient modifications and one has all the bells and whistles, the choice is likely to be a no-brainer.
One last word of advice – make sure you do your homework and research available options and also compare prices and once you have a clear idea of what you want to do, consult the South African National Standards (SANS) regulations and guidelines to ensure building compliance, which is essential when selling a home down the line.
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