South Africans searching for green homes as energy, water bills soar

AS ELECTRICITY and water tariffs keep climbing, more South Africans are hunting for homes that cut costs and shrink their carbon footprint.

- NICOLA MAWSON

Due to the demand for energy-efficient, eco-friendly properties, community housing schemes such as sectional title complexes, gated estates, and retirement villages are now offering shared solar power, water-saving systems, and other green features that lower bills for everyone.

This is according to Andrew Schaefer, MD of property management company Trafalgar.

“Steep electricity and water tariff increases, combined with frequent supply challenges, are prompting more and more South African buyers to seek homes that are more self-sufficient. There is rising interest in living sustainably in homes that make more efficient use of natural resources and minimise waste generation,” said Schaefer.

Shared green infrastructure is key, he said.