“A homeowner can start
by making small changes
such as installing energyefficient lighting.”
evacuator tubing system. This is laid out on the roof
of the house and warms water from the heat of the
sun. Some people do prefer heat pumps but the
problem with these is that the heat pump does not
work during power outages as opposed to the solar
geyser which is independent.
You can also install photovoltaic panels to charge
batteries. These batteries can then power lights and
smaller appliances in the home. These systems can
range from R7 000 to R50 000, depending on the
size needed and number of batteries.
If money is spent improving a home, the increase
in market value is higher than the actual cash spend.
While it will cost slightly more to build a home
with all the necessary green equipment, the return
on investment over the medium to long term is
definitely worth the money spent.
RESOURCES
RE/MAX, Knight Frank Residential,
Green Your Home