Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Green upgrades where you benefit too
ECO-FRIENDLY habits are being adopted in all spheres of life and your home can also be a space that does more good than bad for our environment.
Not only will such enhancements to your home contribute positively to the world around you but could also increase your property’s value.
Upgrading what you have
Nest Seekers International’s chief economist Erin Sykes says examples of upgrades that will add value to your home include solar panels; reclaimed hardwood accents; impact-resistant and dual-pane windows and smart thermostats and lights.
“Taxpayers who upgrade to renewable energy systems for their homes, such as solar panels or geothermal heat pumps, may be eligible for a non-refundable tax credit,” she says.
While reclaimed and repurposed wood gives a unique sense of history and texture to a space, Sykes adds that smart thermostats and lights are just as eco-friendly – and also energy efficient.
“Being able to adjust thermostats and lights remotely is a big win for busy folks or those who travel often.”
If you install impact-resistant or dualpane windows, these will not only lower your insurance premiums in high-wind areas but have a “substantial impact” on lowering your energy bill.
“The gas between the two panes serves as insulation, thus trapping warmer air in the winter and cooled air in the summer, lowering your heating and cooling expenses.”
Making your property more sustainable can go a long way towards attracting buyers who value these features, agrees Adrian Goslett, regional director and chief executive of Re/Max of Southern Africa.
“Whether buying new, or improving your current environment, you can make your house more sustainable with some quick changes and some thoughtful investments to save on energy, water and maintenance costs.”
In addition to some of the measures listed by Sykes, he says homeowners should upgrade their water-efficiency.
“Those with solar power will be able to heat their water sustainably without relying on the grid. However, there are many other ways to optimise the way that your property uses this precious resource. For example, you could install a rainwater tank to reduce pressure on your local water supply systems and invest in water-wise shower heads in your bathrooms.
“It can also be as simple as adding a bucket to your shower to capture excess water for your garden, but if you invest in a proper grey-water system to maintain your garden during times of drought, this could double as a way to invest in the resale value of the property,” Goslett says.
Homeowners can also look into their municipality’s recycling guidelines or find out where they can drop off recycling in their area.
“If you feel your neighbourhood is under-served, consider spearheading communications to suggest that recycling be collected from the households in your community for even more convenience,” he says.
People with the garden space should also create a composting system to reduce the amount of waste the household produces.
“Investing in plants is also wonderful for naturally purifying the air and helping to dampen street noise. They can also provide shade to cool the home in summer which in turn will lessen your property’s reliance on non-natural and expensive cooling systems.
“Planting your own fruit, vegetables and herbs will also reduce your reliance on the local grocery store which will reduce the amount of packaging waste your household produces.”
Goslett says green features are becoming increasingly popular among buyers in South Africa, especially given the ongoing load shedding and the prevalence of droughts in the country.
Building green
While most businesses and households are doing a “fair bit” to curb the effects of a rapidly heating planet, Hermann Haupt, vice-president of CHEP Sub-Saharan Africa, says it is evident “we need to do more in order to slow down the effects of environmental change”.
“Behavioural change now goes even further than the noble act of recycling waste and turning off power sources not in use. We need to scrutinise every business activity and consult with the relevant industry specialists to find ways to implement these in a smarter, environmentally sound way thus saving our planet for the generations to come.”
He says the use of raw materials is often overlooked.
“Wood is renowned for being one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable materials available.
“It enjoys its hierarchical spot in the sustainability chart given its ability to absorb carbon dioxide while growing.
“However, choose wisely when it comes to using wood. You want to look out for a brand which doesn’t only prioritise quality but, also prioritises the environment and its commitment to sustainability.”
Glass is infinitely recyclable.
“Made from all-natural sources, such as sand, soda ash and limestone, it never loses its purity, regardless of how many times it enters the recycling chain.”
In terms of metals, Haupt says: “It has been reported that the roof on the Chrysler Building in New York is nearly 100 years old and has been cleaned only once. It is expected to perform well for at least another century.
“Zinc roofs in Paris have held up since the Napoleonic era.”
He explains that almost all metals are recyclable and the process does not have an impact on the material’s properties.
“This means that the use of metals proves sound as far as eco-friendliness is concerned. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, steel is the most recycled material on the planet.
“Other highly recyclable metals include aluminium, copper, silver and brass, which makes this raw material ideal for consideration,” he says.
Yael Geffen, chief executive of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, believes that the way in which houses are designed and constructed must be adapted to meet new demands and priorities.
While concrete has long been considered the most stable and reliable building material, buyers have become more environmentally conscious and the demand for eco-friendly buildings has increased dramatically.
“There are now a multitude of sustainable building materials available, from bamboo to composite plastic, and these are likely to be increasingly popular features when it comes to selling down the line.”
She says the pandemic has turned the spotlight on holistic wellness and so there is a growing focus on how homes can affect people’s health.
“Buyers are already starting to look for features like low-low volatile organic compounds paint and more efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and insulation materials that can help improve indoor air quality,” Geffen says.