Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2013 | Page 37

RESIDENTIAL
easy to know which ones are legit. Gawne offers the following tips on what to look for.

Understanding energy-efficient ratings
South Africa doesn’t have its own energy label, so your best bet would be to look out for the European Union (EU) energy label. This label is found on a selection of white goods and other products, and they are designed to help consumers understand how energy efficient an appliance is. Says Gawne: “The EU energy- efficiency label clearly displays the energy-efficiency of the appliance and rates it in terms of a set of energy-efficiency classes – from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient, and G the least efficient. The labels also provide other handy information that consumers can use to make comparisons between various makes and models.” He explains that in an attempt to keep up with advances in energy efficiency, A+, A++ and A+++ grades have been introduced for various products.

then be sure to opt for the hobs with a ceramic surface, as they do a better job of transferring the heat to your food. • Gas hobs are considerably more energy eff icient – they boast a much better heattransfer ration, and the heat generation is instantaneous. Gas hobs are also considerably less expensive to run when compared to electrical hobs. However, if you opt for a gas hob, it is imperative that you choose an efficient extractor, which will be needed to remove the combustive by-products that the gas will introduce into your home. • Induction hobs are the hobs of the future – if green is what you are after, then induction is the answer. In an induction hob, heat is transferred directly to the pan through high-tech magnetic fields, leading to very little heat wastage. Heat is generated incredibly quickly, and it is quick and easy to adjust. Also, since the heat needs a metallic surface for conduction, when the pot is removed, then the surface immediately becomes cool to the touch – making it safer as well. The only drawback to induction hobs is the fact that they are comparatively new to the market, and therefore only high-end models are available. They also require the use of specific cookware made from stainless steel, cast iron or enamelled iron – so you will most probably require a whole new set of pots and pans as well.

calculates the energy efficiency of a dishwasher according to the number of place settings it can hold. Miele’s Edition 3D Eco model boasts an incredible A+++ energy rating, and an impressive water consumption of only seven litres per cycle. There are a number of other features present in many modern dishwashers that further add to the energy efficiency of the model in question. Quick-rinse cycles are also useful, especially if you are on metered water use.

Energy-efficient washing machines
Energy-efficient washing machines use the least amount of electricity possibl