Energy efficiency begins with good, green, sustainable design, but it is meted out in our lifestyles. Vexiflex employs sustainable design philosophy and practice green building in our construction. However, it’s up to the owners and those living in our houses to choose a lifestyle that is responsible and environmentally sustainable.
We do our best to source and use materials that are locally made and have minimal impact on the environment, not only in their manufacture but also in their transport and longevity, which is known as embodied energy. Once we’ve done our part, it’s up to our clients to take the philosophies and practices forward.
We do our best to source and use materials that are locally made and have minimal impact on the environment, not only in their manufacture but also in their transport and longevity, which is known as embodied energy. Once we’ve done our part, it’s up to our clients to take the philosophies and practices forward.
- Solar geysers are a standard on most new housing designs, but if you don’t have one yet, you can start saving today by reducing the temperature of your geyser to around 55 degrees Celsius. You can also switch it off if you plan on being out the house for prolonged periods.
- Any dry food that needs to be cooked (beans, samp) can be soaked overnight in cold water. This saves time, money and hours behind the stove (an idea for bachelors then!)
- Unless you have had a red wine accident or have been mountain biking in mud, you can skip the washing machine's pre-wash cycle and use up to 20 percent less power. Washing clothes in cold water is also more energy efficient.
- Never leave appliances on stand-by mode. Each appliance may only draw a minute amount of power but collectively these appliances may account for up to ten percent of a households consumption. This includes items like your DVD player, laptop, cellphone charger and television.
- Use gas where possible as it is more efficient for heating and cooking.
- Choose Energy Star rated appliances where possible as they use up to 40 percent less electricity.
Energy Star is an American based initiative that encourages people to use green appliances, but it has spread into the building industry too, which is what we are now starting to see in South Africa. The next step, after building green and reducing energy consumption, is recycling and waste reduction!
There is always something more that we can do to improve the world around us – Vexiflex: your premium green builder!
