FEATURE ARTICLE
FEATURE ARTICLE
It starts at home The sky-rocketing cost of electricity and the deepening water crisis in parts of the country have also forced South African consumers to become more conscious of their personal consumption levels and look at ways to reduce costs at home . Energy-efficient features are therefore increasingly common priorities on prospective buyers ’ wish lists .
This is according to JP Van der Bergh , founder of Propscan , South Africa ’ s next-generation property search engine app , who says that these features are becoming compelling marketing points and , in some cases , can swing a deal .
“ It ’ s becoming clear that these features not only reward home owners with significant short-term returns , but will also add value to their investments in the long term . If buyers are weighing up two properties they love equally – one with no energyefficient modifications and one that ’ s got all the bells and whistles – the choice is a no-brainer .”
Compared to many First World countries , in South Africa it may still be “ early days ”, but there is no doubt that the green movement ’ s forceful advancement is set to continue .
Founded in 2007 , the Green Building Council South Africa certified only one green building project during its entire first year of operation , but just a decade later their website lists 248 certifications . The Council also works in conjunction with The IPD South Africa Annual Green Property Indicator that was launched in 2014 to release an annual report tracking the significant benefits of energy-efficient ( water and power usage ) buildings for investors .
Now in its third year , the Indicator clearly demonstrates a fast-growing understanding that sustainability parameters are a vital consideration for long-term financial performance .
It ’ s never too late Although the best and most cost-effective results are achieved if energy-efficient elements are part of the initial construction rather than modifications to an existing house , Van der Bergh says there are many steps home owners can take to make their homes more energy efficient and less costly to maintain in the medium to long term . These include :
• Installing window shutters , awnings or screens to cool rooms during summer ;
• Adding skylights to allow natural light into the house on sunny days , thereby eliminating the need for artificial lighting ;
• Using natural materials such as stone , timber , thatch and clay ( often obtained locally ) which are excellent at regulating temperature ;
• If you have a tin roof , insulate it and paint it white to retain heat in winter and ensure your home is cool in summer ;
• Install a solar water heater to save substantially on your electricity bill as geysers can amount to 50 % of a home ’ s electricity usage ;
• Install solar ( photovoltaic ) panels on the roof to provide electricity to run low consumption appliances such as the TV , radio , lights and fridge ;
• Landscape with drought-resistant or indigenous plants that retain moisture and require less frequent watering ;
• Add motion sensor lights to save electricity ;
• Plug air leaks , which are the equivalent of leaving a window open all year ; and
• Install double-glazed windows with lowemission glass to allow maximum light and efficiently regulate temperature .
SOURCES
GBCSA , Propscan , Lew Geffen Sotheby ’ s , HAS , MSCI
14 AUGUST 2017 SA Real Estate Investor www . reimag . co . za