Firzt Realty
Property Search
Search: for sale for rental
Send us your realty questions, click here to submit your question.

31 Jan 2008
Q. Dear Denese, What technology and energy-saving methods can I use to make life bearable at home during all these black-outs? Regards, Frank

A. Dear Frank

We have all experienced the stress of living with the recent energy crisis and load- shedding in South Africa. Try and make your home as energy-efficient as possible, thereby improving your quality of life as well as increasing the value of the property.

Solar heating is an attractive option for South Africans and it is gaining in popularity. For an additional R8 000 per geyser, purchase a solar-powered geyser. The initial outlay may seem expensive, but these geysers save approximately 40 percent on your electricity bill every month.

Another option to consider is tankless water heaters. Powered either electrically or by gas, they are becoming more readily available for domestic use. The advantage of these heaters is that they supply hot water only on demand and take up far less space. Conventional geysers constantly draw power to keep water in the tank hot – whether that hot water is being used or not.

Do your homework before installing a tankless water heater as the size of your home and number of people requiring hot water, will determine the size of heater to be installed.

If you are in the process of building, install solar-powered water underfloor heating. Solar panels are used to heat water that runs through pipes laid in the floor of your home. The initial outlay is expensive but you will constantly be saving on running costs. Lagging any hot water pipes also saves energy.

A generator costing R20 000 will run a couple of plugs in your home – your fridge and freezer for example. A R85 000 generator would service a medium-sized home, whilst one costing R140 000 would definitely provide all the electricity required in a large home.

Install an energy-efficient fireplace - there are units that burn wood, charcoal or gas or all three. Consider using gas in your home for heating and cooking purposes. Decrease your consumption by utilising energy efficient globes. Make use of time switches on your geysers. If you have a swimming pool, check the length of time your filter runs.

Look at this crisis as an opportunity to make your home more eco-friendly and energy-efficient. You will be less dependent on an external energy supplier (Eskom) and less stressed-out during blackouts. You will also be increasing the value of your home. I would call that a win-win situation!

For more information about these options, please email me at askdenese@firzt.co.za.

Hope you find this "enlightening"

Denese Zaslansky 


   22 Apr 2010
Dear Denese, Please advise if the following is standard practice ? We recen...

4 May 2009
Do you believe the market will improve as a result of the interest rate cut? ...

19 Mar 2009
Dear Denese, I have always been of the opinion that if I wanted to purchase a...

9 Sep 2008
Hello Denese I purchased a property off plan in October 2006 that is still ...

26 Aug 2008
Dear Denese It was always drummed into me that I should put my money into pr...

11 Apr 2008
Dear Denese, With 2010 just around the corner, I am thinking of starting up a...

31 Mar 2008
Dear Denese, When it comes to holiday homes, what is the difference between ...

14 Mar 2008
Dear Denese, My family and I would love to get away from Johannesburg once or...

21 Feb 2008
Dear Denese, I have heard the term property syndication. What does it mean ...

15 Feb 2008
Dear Denese, I have heard that you are the eternal optimist despite the chall...

8 Feb 2008
Dear Denese, Since buying my home, I have become an avid and amateur economis...

31 Jan 2008
Dear Denese, What technology and energy-saving methods can I use to make life...

28 Jan 2008
Dear Denese, I am a first-time buyer. If I take out a bond and purchase a p...

18 Jan 2008
Dear Denese, I would like to expand my investment portfolio, please tell me ...

7 Dec 2007
Dear Denese... I am thinking of selling my home. Do you have any suggestions ...

30 Nov 2007
Dear Denese, I have been in the industry for 15 years and find that every No...

23 Nov 2007
Dear Denese, As a property investor I am not sure whether to retain or sell so...

8 Nov 2007
Dear Denese, Your brand has certainly made an impact. How did you select the n...

5 Nov 2007
Dear Denese, My fiancé and I would like to jointly purchase a property – I am ...

25 Oct 2007
Dear Denese, I would like to buy a property overseas and have one million Euro...

19 Oct 2007
Dear Denese, Are you of the opinion that house prices will drop as a result of...

12 Oct 2007
Dear Denese, What are your thoughts about how we, as Estate Agents, can protec...

4 Oct 2007
Dear Denese, I have recently taken occupation of an apartment in a new develo...

26 Sep 2007
Dear Denese, I have just decided to sell my property. Why must I disclose any ...

7 Sep 2007
Lighting a fire.......

1 Aug 2007
I am currently considering purchasing two properties for my children, aged 17 ...

23 Jul 2007
I am house hunting and would really like to buy a property, Is now the right ...

12 Jul 2007
Having recently celebrated Woman’s day I was wondering if you have ever felt d...

5 Jul 2007
I have been investing in property for a number of years and own several apartm...

30 Jun 2007
I own a very large old house on 2000sqm of land and would either like to devel...

27 Jun 2007
I have been in the Real Estate Industry for over 5 years and although I have d...

19 Jun 2007
I purchased a home some six months ago and duly received the necessary Electri...

13 Jun 2007
I recently purchased a property and was told by the estate agent that it was t...

4 Jun 2007
I would like to purchase an investment property for investment purposes. Could...

26 May 2007
I purchased my property, in my own name, for R450 000 in June 1999 and never o...

16 May 2007
I have been told to watch out for defects when purchasing a property. What typ...

16 Mar 2007
What are a purchaser’s rights in the instance of squatters? I recently bought ...

18 Feb 2007
How do I calculate Capital Gains Tax? I purchased my property, in my own name,...

12 Feb 2007
I recently bought a property with an old house on it with the intention of eit...

4 Feb 2007
What happens if I pay more into my bond? I have just purchased a wonderful pro...