Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa November 2014 | Page 41

GREEN

BY TONY CLARKE

en’
re
‘G
Computer Controlled
SA switching faster
than anticipated

Homes

G

rowing awareness of the earth’s limited
resources, South Africa’s electricity costs will
continue to rise exponentially. It can be less
expensive and more comfortable to live independently
of the state municipal power supplies and services, are
pushing the ‘green’ revolution in South African homes
ahead far faster than many predicted.
A small body of entrepreneurs are advancing the
green home computer-controlled revolution in South
Africa at a very rapid pace. The ‘smart’ homes of the
next two decades will be equipped with at least some of
the systems listed in the table.

‘SMART’ HOME SYSTEMS
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Solar panels that generate electricity.
Solar water heaters which warm up circulating water
through heat absorbent materials, cutting the home’s hot
water bills by some 60%.
The almost standard use of low energy bulbs.
Air source heat pumps which extract heat from the
atmosphere and circulate it within the home – a process
said to be four times as efficient as traditional systems.
Double-glazed windows and doors which reduce heat and
cold penetration by 60 to 70%.
Heat sensitive glazing which darkens automatically if
temperatures rise higher but reverts to clear glass when
temperatures are normal.
Heat absorbent blinds and suntrap areas which give off
warmth later in the day when the sun has moved around or
disappeared.
Hand-cranked laundry machines which use less water (and
no power at a