Embracing renewable energy makes sense Living in Africa we are blessed with an abundance of natural resources and utilising these will benefit you, our future generation and the environment. There has been an increased consciousness about water scarcity and the drive for green or eco-friendly homes has been much more visible over the past couple of years ad is set to grow. Putting in place some energy and water saving systems will help to future-proof your household or business against shortages too. Here are five simple “going green” steps to make your home more sustainable: 1. Optimize the use of renewable energy and sunlight. Installing a basic solar power set up at a cost of around R60 000 should keep you powered during load shedding and blackouts, depending on your property size and needs. A grid-tied solar system is best to reduce your municipal power use and save you money on your power bill. Once SA households are allowed to feed any excess solar power they produce back into the grid it may even earn you some municipal credits. 2. Improve insulation and ensure that your home is draft free with the appropriate seals in place. This will keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. 3. Think of your garden as an ecosystem that is supporting life and try as far as possible to accommodate the endemic fauna and flora. You will automatically be waterwise if you do and be rewarded with abundant birdlife in your garden. 4. Install rainwater harvesting systems and water storage tanks. Storage tanks besot between R2 500 and R3 000 for a 2400 litre tank and enable you to “harvest” the rainwater runoff from your home’s roof and store it. The tanks are easy to install, nearly effortless to maintain and will save you money. 5. Install a greywater system and recycle the water from your bathroom sinks, showers and bath for further use in the garden or vegetable patch. More than 50% of domestic wastewater produce is greywater, which means that any recycling system you use has an enormous impact on household water consumption. If you have not yet considered introducing green features into your home, now is the time to start. They add real value and undoubtedly make your home more appealing to buyers. If you have no plans to sell, they will improve your lifestyle. Pg24
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