With Eskom warning SA earlier in November of rolling blackouts due to one of their coal silos collapsing, it would be wise for sectional title schemes to consider installing power saving devices within their schemes and units, and possibly prepaid electricity meters, so that the residents can monitor and control their power usage more efficiently.
It would be wise for sectional title schemes to consider installing power saving devices within their schemes and units.This is according to Mandi Hanekom, operations manager of the levy finance company Propell, who says installing energy-saving equipment can all help in keeping the electricity consumption in a sectional title scheme under control, as well as increase the property values in the scheme. The equipment can include solar panels or heat pumps to heat water in units, solar powered outdoor lighting, LED or movement activated lighting in the common areas, and other energy saving devices such as solar power to the electric gate and intercom.
Solar panels and heat pumps will save around 40 percent on the overall electricity bills, and apart from these helping to save money, they reduce the impact the development has on the environment. These energy saving systems usually pay for themselves within two to five years, after which the residents will continue to enjoy the reduction in their electricity bills each month.
This type of installation is usually listed as a special project and trustees or managing agents might have been putting off carrying out this exercise because of a lack of funds or the reluctance to raise a special levy to cover the costs. However, Hanekom says there are companies like Propell that offer project finance, particularly for large projects such as this.
Everyone is feeling the need to save energy and money, but if you live in a sectional title scheme it relies on getting everyone to agree to it, and the management of the scheme implementing the project.
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