Taking Your Home Off The Grid

We are living in uncertain times, with a number of outside factors creating uncertainty around the globe. Load shedding, water scarcity and now coronavirus all remind us that often things are outside of our control.

Thankfully, while much is out of our hands, there are factors we can manage to ensure we are as best prepared to deal with those that we cannot. With the current climate, many homeowners are now looking at ways to safeguard their houses by making them as self-sufficient, sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.

This article aims to look at feasible ways of doing this.

Removing yourself from the grid:

Even though there has been a break in load-shedding during the Covid-19 lockdown, it has still unfortunately become something of a constant in the lives of South Africans, with struggling power utility, Eskom, resorting to rolling blackouts. Never has it been more feasible to manage your home's power intake.

Solar power:

Solar power is the most popular source of sustainable, renewable energy and a viable option in South Africa. According to a report by Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.co.za/this-is-how-much-it-will-cost-to-take-your-home-off-the-grid-and-avoid-load-shedding-forever-2019-3 ), priced a solar system as costing between R150 000 and R350 000, and while this is not a cheap option, it will provide you with a positive ROI in the long run.

It is also recommended that your system have a battery storage unit which will provide power at night, and in poor weather conditions. Bear in mind, however, that battery systems usually need to be replaced every five years, adding to the cost.

A cheaper option would be to invest in a back-up solar system for when the lights go out, as opposed to taking yourself off the grid entirely. A basic system can go for around R30 000.

To DIY or not-to DIY: Most experts recommend going with a professional and we would advise the same. This is your electrical supply and the last thing you want to do is cut corners and end up in permanent darkness as a result.

Gas:

Installing gas into your home is a simple, affordable way to cut your electrical needs. A gas-powered geyser, gas stove, are super helpful when Eskom turns the power off. There are also gas generators on the market now, which result in less noise and no diesel fumes.

Battery power:

According to a Business Insider report, the Western Cape's guideline estimates that the cost of a battery system can range from R15,000 on the low-end to R50,000 for a top-end installation. A low-end system would allow for the running of smaller accessories like a decoder and cell phone charger, while a high-end system would allow for all lighting, television, and bigger appliances.

Going Green

Going Green is a global trend with homeowners, in line with global trends, more frequently moving towards eco-friendly houses. There are, of course, a number of ways to do this and it doesn't start and stop with water.

Roof gardens:

Starting at the top, green roofs not only look great, they also help reduce the influx of heat, and are a great way to add oxygen producing plants to an urban environment. They also help with stormwater management, help with the durability of your roofing membrane and insulate the home against the sun.

Sustainably sourced wood:

Eco-friendly flooring goes a long way in ensuring the sustainability and carbon-footprint of your home and most experts will tell you that bamboo is the way to go. Not only does bamboo not need a lot of pesticides, it also produces a lot of oxygen and grows incredibly fast. As a flooring, it is easy to maintain, slip resistant and doesn't scratch easily. Bamboo floors are also affordable, are an environmentally friendly alternative to hardwood floors.

Water:

Anyone living in the Western Cape over the past few years is well aware of the impact of water on our lives, or rather lack of it. There are a number of ways to save water, from shorter showers to re-using grey water, but in terms of readying your home, give the below some thought.

Choose the right plants:

During times of water crisis and drought, it is more important than ever to plant water-wise plants. Water-wise plants are hardy plants that thrive in dry climates or can thrive being watered with grey-water as opposed to potable water. There are a number of endemic plants you can choose in the province.

Install water efficient devices throughout your home:

Shower heads and taps are not the only fittings that can be water efficient. These days there are also a number of water-wise toilets on the market.

Rainwater Catchment systems:

The recent drought in the Western Cape taught locals all they needed to know about making their homes water-ready and JoJo and ECO Tanks became the norms in terms of rainwater catchment systems. This system works by harvesting the rainwater your gutter collects and funnelling it into a rainwater tank. Once the rain water is collected in the tank it can then either be pumped out to water the garden, used to fill the toilet cistern or if filtered properly with a reverse osmoses filtering system can be used as drinking water. The craze may have started during the drought, but it's a great way to ensure your home is sustainable, taking advantage of good winter rains for dry summer months and beyond...