4 ways to do your bit for the planet

RE/MAX of Southern Africa suggests homeowners consider four essential pillars for home sustainability: electricity, water, waste and self-sustainability.

Invest in Solar Power

Homeowners should arrange a consultation on whether the property can adapt to solar power panels. This will depend on your type of roof and its exposure to the sun. In the long run, running your property on solar power will shave thousands off your electricity bill and reduce the impact of relying on non-renewable energy.

Upgrade your water-efficiency

Those with solar power will be able to heat water sustainably, without reliance on the grid. However, there are many other ways to optimise the way in which your property uses this precious resource. For example, you could install a rainwater tank to reduce pressure on your water supply systems and invest in water-wise shower heads in the bathrooms. It can also be as simple as adding a bucket to your shower to capture excess water for your garden. 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.

Use your garden to be more self-sustainable

Those with the yard space should invest in creating a composting system to reduce the amount of waste the household creates. Investing in plants is also wonderful for naturally purifying the air, helping dampen street noise and providing 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 curb your reliance on the local grocer, thereby reducing the amount of packaging waste your household produces.

Find out about recycling

Look into your municipality’s recycling guidelines and speak to your estate agent to find out where you’re able to drop off recycling in your area. If you feel your neighbourhood is underserved, consider spearheading communications to introduce a recycling method that allows the material to be conveniently collected from the households in your community.