LOCAL NEWS

How property
owners can retrofit
their homes
With even small modifications, homeowners
can decrease their energy output, expand on the
use of environmentally sustainable products,
increase thermal comfort (making the house
cooler in summer and warmer in winter)
and improve indoor air quality by removing
toxins such as formaldehyde. Kerry Henning
from Saint-Gobain explains the benefits of
a retrofit.
WHY SHOULD BUYERS CONSIDER
RETROFITTING THEIR PROPERTY?

It is possible to save between 60%-90% of

energy usage if the whole building is
refurbished to meet legislative guidelines.
A consistent temperature means a decrease in
the consumption of power and hence a decrease
in the cost of heating or cooling the house,
along with creating a more comfortable living
space. Efficient power usage saves you money
and the environment by reducing greenhouse
gas output.
WHICH PARTS OF A BUILDING ARE
LESS GREEN?

When planning a retrofit, understand

where heat loss and gain typically occur in
a building: the roof and ceiling, walls, floors and

foundations, and windows and doors. Good roof

insulation, for instance, ensures comfortable
thermal and acoustic benefits, and offers the best
cost-to-benefit ratio: higher energy efficiency
can be achieved with minimal expenditure.
An insulated ceiling is often considered
a luxury, but it costs less than 1% of the total
per square metre building outlay. This will save
you money for the lifespan of your home.
Product example: consider Saint-Gobains Isover
Think Pink Aerolite for thermal and acoustic
ceiling insulation.

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HOW DOES A RETROFIT AFFECT

PROPERTY VALUES?

A home that uses less energy to run will be

more valuable as energy supply costs continue
to rise. According to findings from a McGrawHill Construction study on green building
trends, upfront investment in green building
makes properties more valuable, with an average
expected increase of 4%. By virtue of lowered
maintenance and energy costs, the return
on investment from green building is rapid:
a green retrofit project is generally expected
to pay for itself in just seven years.
gbcsa.org.za/about/about-green-building
upgrademyhome.co.za

JULY/AUGUST 2016

07