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Issue 27 R29.00 incl VAT 9 772223 540014 02027

GREYWATER HARVESTING

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ECO PRODUCTS

WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING

TIPS ON GREENING YOUR BATHROOM G R E E N HOME

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ENVIRONMENTAL Rejects heat from sunlight in summer and retains indoor heat in winter

DECORATIVE Provides privacy and can replace curtains or blinds

PROTECTIVE 2

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Provides shatterproof protection against accidental damage or attack

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AUTO ARMOR THE TRUSTED NAME IN WINDOW FILM

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ince 1978, the Auto Armor brand has been widely recognised and respected within South Africa’s automotive industry for the highest quality vehicle protection products and services. Our range of anti-smash and grab safety films have protected many vehicle windows and passenger lives and have been the leading choice for vehicle owners over the last decade.

Let us show you why Auto Armor architectural window film (also referred to as home window tinting) is also becoming the leading choice of home owners throughout the country.

Firstly, let’s explain briefly what window film/tint is and how it works.

Window film/tint is a laminate of strong polyester with various coatings on one side and a mounting adhesive on the other side.

The film is applied to the interior surface of the glass window and it can be clear, coloured, or patterned to blend with various design schemes. Various thicknesses are available for solar, safety, or security applications.

Solar radiation from the sun is divided into 3 components: visible light we can see and infrared and ultraviolet rays that we can only feel. As solar radiation strikes a piece of glass, window film blocks ultraviolet rays through glass and regulates the levels of heat and visible light passing through the glass. The amount of heat and light rejected is all dependant on the type of window film selected.

So, how does all this benefit my home?

Summed up in two words—comfort and efficiency. Windows open your home to natural lighting, warmth and views of the outside world. While natural sunlight offers plenty of positives for your home, there is also a downside to letting the light shine in: increased energy costs, excessive heat, glare, premature fading of interior furnishings, privacy and security. By eliminating or reducing these negative effects, window film transforms the comfort and efficiency of your home.

A large percentage of a home’s utility bills are wasted by loss of heat and heat gain through untreated windows. With a thin, virtually invisible addition to your home’s existing windows, Auto Armor window film can help you save utility costs by blocking heat gain from sunlight through your home windows.

Window films can’t discriminate between winter sun and summer sun. By cutting heat www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

gain during the summer, they might also take away some solar heat you might enjoy in the winter. However, just as the films reflect the sun’s infrared waves back outside, they also reflect inward the infrared heat rays given off by heaters, fireplaces, objects and people inside. They help retain indoor heat by providing additional layers of insulation on window interiors, which all helps to keep interior spaces warmer in winter.

Open your blinds, shades, or draperies and let the sunlight in. In addition to blocking heat, Auto Armor window film also reduces glare, making it easier for you to watch television or work on a computer in the comfort of your home. Because Auto Armor window film is made with ultra-clear, distortion-free materials, you won’t even know it’s there.

Most fabrics, furnishings and artwork can fade simply by allowing daylight to pass through an untreated window. Home window tinting with Auto Armor window films will block up to 99.9% of all UVA and UVB rays, helping to protect your family and preserve the colour of your furnishings, fabrics and carpets.

Glass can be a real hazard in the home when broken from accidents, storms, or break-ins. Safeguard your family and your property with Auto Armor safety films. This transparent but powerful barrier helps hold glass in place should an impact occur, and helps you defend against the unexpected.

While damaged or deteriorating windows simply have to be replaced, home window film provides an affordable alternative to

replacement when your goal is to improve energy efficiency. In fact, the cost for quick, professional installation can be as little as one-tenth the cost of replacement windows!

I n s t a l l i n g w i n d ow f i l m m ay l o o k relatively easy but there are many factors that could lead to an unprofessional installation. It is very easy for the film to become contaminated with dirt, dust or hair, thus ruining the film and creating dissatisfaction. Auto Armor’s professional installers have many years of experience in proper preparation and application techniques to prevent contamination or other problems with the film, and ensure a quality installation.

Auto Armor window films are internationally tried and proven to be of highest technical standard and quality and are warranted against fading, peeling, bubbling or de-lamination from windows.

Our fitment exper tise and ser vice are recognised nationally across the automotive and architectural industries and we can fit window film to any window designs on commercial or domestic buildings.

So, become part of the leading home owner’s choice and bask worry-free in the benefits of your home windows with Auto Armor window films.

CONTACT US TODAY! 021 951 6571 ruan@autoarmor.co.za windowfilmtinting.autoarmor.co.za www.autoarmor.co.za G R E E N HOME

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erma P Edge Give your garden the perfect edge...

1000 mm

Std Length: 1000mm Std Colour: Dark Brown Std Widths: 75 / 100 / 125mm

• The Perfect edging for garden beds.

• Easy to bend so it follows the contours of your beds or pathways.

• Great for soil retention and gravel separation.

• Easy to install with quick interlock system.

• Designed to be mown over.

• Weather resistant, rust resistant & maintenance free.

• Can be moved and re-used.

Finish: 1.6mm thick Galvanised Steel & powder coat painted

Website – www.permaedge.co.za | Email: info@permaedge.co.za Tel - 031-7910162 | Fax - 0866779574 | Cell - 0829085111 62 I www.thegardener.co.za Facebook - www.facebook.com/permaedge | Twitter - @PermaEdge

A WORD FROM THE

EDITOR

Dear Reader, In this edition our two green home features could not be more different. House Aloe is rustic and natural, with green features that are less about measurable performance and more about softer qualities like human comfort, blending with nature, and being self-reliant for water.

The Green Building Council's edge tool article on the other hand all about measuring and monitoring a buildings actual energy and water performance. In this contrast, lies the art of green building design.

A simple way of understanding buildings is to look at the building standards, which are a set of technical specifications intended to be interpreted, and complied with, by the professional team of architects and engineers. And yet the objective of the building standards is to ensure that buildings meet the needs of human health and comfort: not too hot, not too cold, not too bright, not too dark, a sufficient air change to ensure air is keep fresh.

These standards can be achieved in many ways through mechanical devices, like lighting and air-conditioning which use energy, or through passive intelligence.

The artform lies in the often intense design and modelling efforts that take place before the first brick is laid. Factors such as appropriate orientation, correct placement of windows and shading devices, attribute to a succesful passive design.

So yes, by all means measure and monitor your green home performance and revel in its operational efficiency and economic savings, but don’t forget to also savour its simple passive performance by appreciating its effortless comfort and fresh ambiance.

Gordon

Use of Sustainable Paper Alive2green is committed to using sustainable paper and printing products and services, and to this end Alive2green prints with a black woman-owned printer, FA Print. FA Print prints alive2green publications on paper supplied to it by an FSC certified supplier. FA Print is taking steps to become FSC certified at which point this publication will become entitled to carry the FSC logo.

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Cover image: Aloe House Image by: Kr2 Architects

living informed today

Issue 27 R29.00 incl VAT 9 772223 540014 02027

GREYWATER HARVESTING

ECO PRODUCTS

WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING

TIPS ON GREENING YOUR BATHROOM

Green Home magazine is audited by the ABC

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EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR PROJECT MANAGER SALES EXECUTIVES CLIENT LIAISON OFFICERS PRODUCTION COORDINATOR/ DESIGNER PROOFREADER EDITORIAL DIRECTORS ACCOUNTS AND ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE PHYSICAL ADDRESS COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER VAT NUMBER IMAGES AND DIAGRAMS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES PRINTER PUBLISHER

Gordon Brown Shannon Manuel Annie Pieters Jacques Gerber, Zaida Yon, Tanya Duthie, Zaneque Smit, Esther Kabaso Linda Tom Shannon Manuel Shanice Daniels Monique Jacobs, Vania Reynek gordon.brown@alive2green.com Gordon Brown, Lloyd Macfarlane, Andrew Fehrsen Chevonne Ismail www.alive2green.com www.greenhomemagazine.co.za Cape Media House, 28 Main Rd, Rondebosch.

TEL: 021 447 4733 FAX: 086 694 7443 2006/206388/23 4130252432 First Published July 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any way or in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher.

The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editor.

All editorial contributions are accepted on the under­ standing that the contributor either owns or has obtained all necessary copyrights and permissions. Publishers do not endorse claims by advertisers.

Space limitations and source format have affected the size of certain published images and/or diagrams in this publication. For larger PDF versions of these images please contact the Publisher.

Edward MacDonald, distribution@alive2green.com sales@alive2green.com FA Print

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GREEN DESIGN HOUSE FEATURE Aloe House

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GBCSA Edge Certification System

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THAT PERFECT LIGHTING Illuminating energy-saving ways

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CONCRETE FLOORS Is it the environmental choice?

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THE ART OF TILES Delve deeper into their design

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XERISCAPING Creating the perfect water-wie garden

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GREYWATER HARVESTING Getting to know sustainable flooring

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BATHROOMS Tips on greening them in style

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INTERIOR DECOR Products that are not just bold and beautiful

CONTENTS

February 2017

THE AUTUMN ISSUE

MATERIAL THINGS Building products to create your green home

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Aloe House Nature inspires grand design

Photography Garden images by Johan Minnaar House images by Barry Morris

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ituated on the edge of the Baakens River Valley in the heart of Port Elizabeth, the Aloe House is a representaton of the relationship between nature and architecture. The architect, Jan Klingler of Kr2 Architects, was inspired by the varied vegetation of the Eastern Cape where the landscape is often dominated by huge Euphorbias and at least 19 different aloe species, many of them endemic to the Eastern Cape. A number of aloes grow in the valley near to the house.

The architect’s clients, Eric Offerman, a clay brick maker by profession and his wife Gerda Coetzee, the gardener and designer of the indigenous garden had a few, but precise, requests and requirements to the architect. “The house was to be created to be as warm as possible during winter time, as you know, mother-in-law has no resistance against cold,” says Coetzee. “Aloe House is a retirement house for us, so attention had to be given to easy access for e.g. wheelchairs and easy parking near to an entrance of the house. Other request s were that the house had to be as self-sustainable as possible, with spacious garages, a workshop and kitchen, an indoor swimming pool sized 6m x 2 and half metres, heated with solar panels and engines to create a current to swim against, and a warm bathroom—the under floor heating in the bathroom, which faces south, was laid in the shower as well. “Regarding the exterior design of the house, I absolutely did not want to see any garage doors and the boundary wall in front had to say something of the architecture of the house. No other requests were made, we had full confidence in the knowledge and creativeness of our architect and he is acquainted with our lifestyle.”

As a clay brick maker, Eric Offerman also challenged Jan to design a house which will display clay bricks at its best. He hoped that young architects will be inspired to use clay bricks in a different way, breaking away from the stretcher bond way of laying bricks, which dominates most face brick buildings in South Africa. The history of clay bricks goes back to at least 10 000 BC. The ingenuity and imagination of those buildings are still legendary today.

House design The design of the house is based on two Aloe leaves lying on the ground. The cut sections are facing the view over the valley and the sunny north, while the thorny edges form a closed facade to the outside. Between the leaves lies a protected court yard open to the back garden. The form of the leaves has been abstracted into plains and ridges. The walls and roof have been shaped and materialised to the characteristics of the spiked edges of a leaf, thus, the face brick and folds of the metal sheet have a harsh and thorny texture, while the cut side is

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closed in with smooth glass. Each of the leaves accommodates a specific part of the house. One leaf is public, housing the lounge, kitchen and guest room, while the other is private with an indoor pool, bedroom, bathroom and study. A tower comprising of vertical circulation, fireplace, heat pump and solar panel piping, form the centre of the house.

Part of the basement facilitates the garages, workshop and technical spaces related to the pool. This basement allows the cars to be out of view and the garage doors hidden away on the side of the building.

The relationship of the building's various parts with the outside spaces was essential to both the client and the architect. All of the major rooms open up onto a sunny terrace overlooking the garden and valley. The kitchen and circulation zones flow out into the courtyard and into the back garden. This is an accessible outside area for everyday use that includes, among other sections, a carport and vegetable garden. The terrace and courtyard relate to each other across the building, either side of the tower.

As the brief by Offerman was to explore the use of brick and present the product in a fresh way, layering of various kinds of bricks in playful and decorative patterns, including cut bricks exposing the materials internal structure have been created. Additionally, the layering of the brickwork also picks up the topic of the rock layers present in the valley.

Architect Jan Klinger explains that the initial brief requested a green house to the extent of being a prototype. Due to delays and budget restrictions, the challenge became finding a good balance between practical comfort, economy and sustainability—many of these aspects being contradictive. A single dwelling on a large plot is not sustainable from the beginning, but an effort has been made to turn a lawn covered plot back into a natural environment related to the valley. In view of this and to maximise the garden area, garages have been placed out of the way underneath the house.

The house was not without its challenges.

The biggest challenge was given to the brick layers in building the outer walls of the house, one on the Eastern side and the other on the Western side of the house. The outer wall and inner walls measurements are 220mm thick, with in between a 50mm cavity. The reason being that during the day, the clay bricks with their excellent ability to store heat absorb the heat and slowly release it at night time, keeping the house warm in winter. The walls were also built on the outside in a slightly concave shape.

Additionally, the roof brought its own set of problems due to the unique shape of the house.

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the house. Excellent cross ventilation adds a pleasant breeze.

Outstanding aspects of the house iclude its high ceilings and the “transparent” living spaces. The lounge cum dining room with its high ceilings creates a feeling of grandeur but the ambience is one of warmth. Higher ceilings than usual were also installed in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Double glazing sliding doors on the northern aspect of the house overlooking the front garden, which “flows” into views of the Baakens Valley, and a “wall’ of glazing and doors, which open towards the back, allow spectacular views of the back garden. In addition, the meticulous attention to detail in the finishing of the house cannot be missed.

Sustainability Aloe House boasts a range of wonderful environmentally conscious features. A large part of the bricks used for paving and foundation walls are recycled from dismounted kilns and all rock used for landscaping comes from the site. Feature timbers used for decking, stairs and handles are recycled from the owner's brickfields.

Thermal roof and floors are highly insulated to deal with the large temperature differences created by roof sheeting and under floor heating respectively. The massive brick walls function as a heat sink and delay temperature fluctuation from outside to inside. All comfort zones have double-glazing to reduce heat gain/loss and achieve a comfortable surface temperature. The west facing glass front has coated glazing to prevent heat gain.

To preserve water, storm water is collected in a series of tanks at the bottom of the site and used for irrigation. The garden is a rich collection of indigenous plants; many of them rare species salvaged in old brickfields. As an extension of the

“ Brick is at once the simplest and most versatile of materials, the most ubiquitous and least regarded, all too familiar yet strangely neglected.” James W P Campbell author of BRICK – a world history. Published 2003

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captivated me. The first sketches of our house and the wealth of plants which grows in and around the veld of the Eastern Cape determined that an indigenous garden, with as many endemic plants as possible, should form the background for Aloe House.”

The climate and rainfall for gardening with indigenous species are ideal in Port Elizabeth and environment, and both winter and summer rainfall plants thrive here. Coetzee explains that small nurseries and the generosity of fellow gardeners became her hunting ground. Truck loads of soil that was moved from building sites in the Coega development area, that had landed in her husband’s old quarries was where she harvested sometimes damaged plants. She also started making cuttings with great success. In the garden of approximately 1000 square metres grows more than 120 indigenous species, many of them endemic to the Eastern Cape.

“The garden on the edge of the Baakens River Valley was developed on a plot, which was never gardened before. Three alien trees and kweek were removed and I started with a blank slate,” says Coetzee. “Without my husband’s support and his willingness to make sure all the “infrastructure”, the truck loads of fertile soil and tree trunks which I used for terraces and the moving of massive stones etc., was sorted, and without my gardener of seven years Patrick Nxlovu, I would never have coped while creating the wild garden, which has been fermenting in my head for months. Patrick nursed almost a thousand plants in black bags for two years before we could start with the garden.

All of the stones used in the garden come from the site and was dug up when the excavations were done for the garages and store rooms. The first tree that was planted five years ago was an Aloe barberae. It’s a wild garden, it has very little structure, and it’s the first garden I have made in my life and it gives me immense pleasure.”

valley, the garden already boasts the presence of a wide variety of birds, insects and lizards.

Garden One of the most impressive and beautiiful aspects of Aloe House is its diverse garden, boasting a rich collection of indigenous plants that go hand in hand with the theme of environmental preservation of the home. Created by Gerda, the garden is close to her heart and continues to be her passion.

“It was my husband Eric who opened my eyes to the jewels hidden in the Coega veld on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth,” says Coetzee. “One day, he brought me a piece of crassula capitella in full bloom. Maybe it was the descriptive name in Afrikaans, namely “pop-rosie” which hooked me, but I was completely enchanted and wanted to see where it grows. This resulted in hours of walking around in the Coega veld, which surrounded my husband’s factory, photgraphing all plants which www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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RUBBER STAMP YOUR GREEN HOME WITH THE GBCSA W

ith South Africa facing one of the most severe droughts in recent years, ongoing issues with Eskom and the ever increasing costs of these commodities, it’s no surprise that the country is enthusiastically embracing green building. Infact, the World Green Building Trends 2016: Developing Markets Accelerate Global Green Growth SmartMarket Report predicts that South Africa could become a leader in the green building sector in the next three years.

The residential property market is a particular area of focus as, according to UN statistics, there will be a 300% increase in South Africa’s urban population in the next 20 years. In response to this phenomenal projected urban growth, the Green Building Council South of Africa (GBCSA) has recently launched EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

EDGE is an affordable, fast and user-friendly online platform for rating green residential buildings, supported by a network of EDGE Accredited

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Professionals around the country. EDGE aims to reduce the embodied energy of construction materials and shrink energy and water consumption by the home owner. Ultimately, the aim is to create homes that replenish the resources of their own construction, produce their own energy and conserve water efficiently.

At present only new build, multi-unit residential projects (three units or more) are eligible for EDGE certification in South Africa. The GBCSA is working towards introducing a residential rating tool for existing homes and aims to offer certification to individual homeowners in the near future.

To achieve the EDGE standard, minimum savings of 20% across the following categories must be met: • Embodied energy of the materials used to construct the building • Predicted energy consumption • Predicted water usage The EDGE certification system has been designed to be as simple, fast and affordable as possible and, as such, does not address the full spectrum

of green measures and acts, instead, as a first step towards achieving green built environments.

Once a project is completed to the EDGE standard each home is awarded a certificate.

It should be noted that only the predicted energy and water consumption per home is rated by the EDGE tool. Outdoor areas and precinct related green measures do not form part of an EDGE rating. However, the GBCSA’s rating systems can be used collectively or separately to rate residential buildings. One of these is the Green Star SA Multi Use Residential Tool which uses nine green building categories to evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of a project including energy, water, indoor environmental quality, transport and innovation. This tool is highly sought after by mid to high end residential developments that are seeking credible validation of their green building credentials.

The other is the Green Star Communities rating tool, which is currently being piloted in South Africa and is available for communities, precincts and neighbourhoods wanting to achieve certification. The Communities rating tool www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

categories are governance, liveability, economic prosperity, environment and innovation. The liveability category includes a ‘Sustainable Buildings’ credit which acknowledges the contribution that EDGE or Green Star rated buildings can make to the Communities rating.

Building owners, tenants and individual homeowners each have different requirements of their dwellings. Clients and project teams are able to select the most appropriate rating tool, or combination of rating tools, to meet the needs of their project and the market they are targeting, and achieve optimal green buildings for the environment and the people who occupy those buildings as well as the spaces between buildings.

The combination of tools collectively address all sustainability considerations such as: Positioning of the development relative to public transport networks • Site ecosystem services: All of the items listed below can add to the greening of a building and, in many cases, improve thermal comfort and achieve reduced resource consumption: ºº Orientation to the sun (key factor in determining energy performance of a building in terms of lighting, heating/cooling)— particularly GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool ºº Rainfall/water runoff (for district water capture, and impact of runoff )—EDGE (for per unit consumption only) + GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool ºº Prevailing winds (for natural ventilation and cooling)—EDGE + GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool

• District waste separation, waste to energy, composting, materials recovery and collection— GSSA Communities • Green spaces (leisure but also district food gardens?)—GSSA Communities • Road network (pedestrian and cycle friendly)— GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool + Communities • Interventions per house: ºº Resource efficiency (green/natural low impact materials/building systems/décor)—EDGE Materials category directly addresses this ºº Energy efficiency (passive design, insulation, shading, fenestration, lighting, SWH, Solar PV etc) – EDGE Energy category directly addresses this ºº Water efficiency (low flow faucets and WCs, grey water systems, rain water harvesting)—EDGE Water category directly addresses this ºº IEQ (low tox paints, sealants, coverings) —GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool IEQ category directly addresses this ºº Landscaping (low water plants, trees for natural shade, biophilia (outside/inside integration), veggie/herb gardens, etc) – GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool Land Use and Ecology, Water and IEQ categories directly address this ºº Natural/efficient pools—GSSA Multi Use Residential Tool Water category directly addresses this GBCSA’s rating tools are more than a ‘green badge’ and act as an internationally recognised and benchmarked guide for building owners to position their buildings on the spectrum of green buildings. According to the IPD South Africa Annual Green Property Indicator, benefits to owners of green office buildings have been shown to include improved tenant retention rates, reduced operating costs and improved return on investment. A Harvard study has also found that occupants of green offices display a 101% improvement in cognitive thinking than their counterparts in conventional buildings.

GBCSA is confident that the same is true in the residential property market and is working with members, green building owners and universities to establish a database of information, which can be used to conclusively demonstrate the benefits of green homes. In 2016—the first year that EDGE certification has been made available in South Africa—the GBCSA has registered approximately 5000 homes to target EDGE certification, which indicates that early adopters are anticipating the benefits to having EDGE-certified homes.

Visit www.gbcsa.org.za or call us on 086 104 2272 or 011 339 1152

Image courtesy of Nuttakit at FreeDigitalPhotos.net www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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verybody enjoys a well light room as it creates the perfect ambience for any space in your home. When you are about to take that perfect selfie there is nothing more annoying than your lighting let you down whilst trying to capture that perfect moment.

Have you however taken the moment to think about how much energy your light bulb use does, or how much it even lasts you or costs and what effect does it have to the environment. To be able to answer any of those thoughts it is important to get to know what type of light bulbs are they and how they all differ and their benefits.

We have mainly 3 types of light bulbs LED, CFL, and Incandescent each has different features even though they may do the same job they do look and operate differently.

In South Africa Eskom’s Efficient Lighting Programme had achieved the large-scale rollouts replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, with over 47 million CFLS installed in the financial year 2010/2011. Many may wonder why the switch occurred. A further look into CFLs shows that they use 60% less energy than incandescent.

Having energy efficient lighting in households will not only assist with the financials but also the environment. With consumption of electricity being reduced this will result in generation of electricity also decreasing. We will have less gas emissions during the burning of fossil fuels this enabling us to reduce are carbon footprint in the fight against climate change.

lighting

Types of light bulbs Incandescent Incandescent light bulbs or known as screw on light bulbs are the light bulbs many of us grew up around, we could say there were amongst the first to be around. The all come in varies wattages, sizes and voltages.

The incandescent light bulb/ lamp have a wire filament that is heated to such high levels that it glows with a visible light. This may be the more common option of a light bulb however it is not the most energy efficient type of light bulb. It is a more affordable option to buy for many home owners and is easy to install. These light bulbs usually have a short life span thus making them expensive to maintain as you have to often replace it.

They contain no mercury and can be very fragile. According to Energy.gov there are three types’ incandescent lamps that can be used for residential use; 12

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• Standard incandescent or pear-shaped A-19 lamps • Energy-saving or halogen A-19 lamps • Reflector or parabolic reflector (PAR) lamps, sometimes called "flood" or "spot" lamps It is important to note that incandescent lamps are in the process of being of being

completely phased out for a more energy efficient option and one that is not so costly to maintain in South Africa according to South Africa.info the phasing out of incandescent lighting is part of the Initiative by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which is aimed at helping countries combat climate www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

change through the transition to energyefficient lighting.

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) With the phasing out of Incandescent light bulbs a better solution would have to be in place for people to turn this is where CFL comes in this is a more energy efficient option it uses 60% less energy than incandescent.

They are more costly than incandescent are also fragile but have a fairly longer life span as well but are considered to be energy saving.

CFL may contain traces of mercury that is why it is always advised to recycle your light bulb at the end of its cycle.

There are 6 different types of CFL bulbs they each vary in size, shape and style; • Spiral Lamps • Triple Tube Lamps • Standard Lamps • Globe Lamps • Flood Lamps • Candelabra It is true that compact fluorescent light bulbs may cost you a bit in the beginning but don’t be afraid as they will end up saving you more in the long run. There are many benefits to using a CFL bulb you will be saving your pocket and the environment at the same time.

Benefits of using a cfl bulb according to eartheasy.Com • Efficient – they last 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs and are 4 times more efficient.

• Less Expensive - use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescent.

• Reduces Air and Water Pollution - Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.

• High-Quality Light - Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.

• Versatile - can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used.

• • • • • •

LED Tube Lights Flame Tip, Candelabra Base LED Flood Reflector LED Track Lighting Dimmable Globe LED Diffused bulbs

A disadvantage that comes with LED bulbs is that they shine light in one direction and do not give an overall light to a room. The bulbs are not as fragile as CFL and incandescent light bulbs they can withstand shock better.

They also do not contain mercury and has a rather long lifespan.

Using energy efficiently has many benefits some that are good for you personally and some for the environment as well.

Light Sensor lists a few benefits of using energy efficiently; • It makes more energy available to supply the rest of the country • Limits and reduces environmental impacts and hazards to human health • Increases the resilience and efficiency of our economy • Postpones the creation of new power plants, freeing up space for other investments Creating energy efficient home is very impor tant with the climate change, electricity prices rising and the constant worr y of the depletion of our natural resources. It is important to make small changes in your home such as switching from energy - intensive to energy efficient technologies/ products. This will allow you to save in the long run as these products have a longer life span and do not harm the environment. It is important to also educate your family on the importance of living energy efficient and it is good to remember the basic rules of switching off any used or unnecessary lights in the house.

LIGHT EMITTING DIODES (LED) We are constantly looking for better and more improved ways to be more energy efficient and do ones part in taking care of the environment. A more energy efficient lighting option is available even though it may be mowre costly it sure does go the extra mile in being energy efficient. This may be the more energy efficient however they are quite costly to purchase which makes most consumers edgy at first. They last much longer than CFL and incandescent light bulbs. It is a versatile product that can be used both residential and commercial use; LED light bulbs rarely need replacing.

There are about 6 different types of styles that one can find a LED bulb; www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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NATURAL. RAW. UNIQUE. CEMENT-BASED DECORATIVE COATINGS FOR WALLS, FLOORS, POOLS, WATERPROOFING AND MANY MORE

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Is concrete the environmental choice for you? –consider these factors when making your decision

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uilding homes that are green and environmentally friendly has become the mantra for more and more builders and homeowners, as they discover how easy it can be to attain all the benefits of sustainable construction without sacrificing aesthetics or breaking the budget. In fact, going green often saves money, especially over time, while being kinder to our planet Earth.

Decorative concrete flooring is a perfect example of this synergy of beauty, sustainability and economy, giving you a durable, low-maintenance floor that will last the life of your home. Concrete floors, when left exposed, conserve resources by functioning both as a foundation slab and finished floor. This eliminates the need for carpeting and other floor coverings that would eventually require replacement. In addition to conserving materials, concrete flooring offers many other environmental benefits, such as contributing to better energy efficiency and improving indoor air quality, says industry leaders. These factors listed, are the most compelling reasons to go green with decorative concrete floors.

Design Versatility Typically, interior concrete floor slabs have been hidden under other flooring materials such as carpet, hardwood, vinyl or ceramic tile. But why waste resources and money to add another layer of flooring when you can simply leave the concrete exposed?

Decorative techniques such as coloring, staining, stamping, stenciling and polishing give you unlimited design versatility, allowing you to create floors that mimic more traditional materials, such as tile or slate, or custom design a look that's totally unique.

If you're concerned about the toxicity of the products used to color, stain and seal concrete,

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you now have more environmentally friendly options than ever before. Although some concrete sealers and coatings are still solvent-based, many products today are available in low-odor, nontoxic versions that won't affect indoor air quality.

Durability and Resource Conservation When properly installed and sealed (see Sealing Colored Concrete), a decorative concrete floor should last a lifetime and will never need replacement. Few flooring materials can boast this same longevity. Carpet, tile and even wood floors eventually need replacement, which uses up resources and creates waste disposal problems.

If you stick with a neutral color palette for your concrete floor, it will easily accommodate any future changes to your interior dĂŠcor.

Concrete floors also utilize sustainable materials. The predominant raw material for the cement in concrete is limestone, the most abundant mineral on earth. Your ready-mix supplier can also make concrete using waste byproducts, which reduces the consumption of raw materials. Fly ash, slag cement and silica fume, all waste byproducts from power plants, steel mills and other manufacturing facilities, are commonly used as partial cement replacements.

Decorative concrete floors can also incorporate recycled products, such as crushed glass, bits of recycled plastic, marble chips, metal shavings and even seashells.

Finally, in the highly unlikely event that your concrete floor ever needs to be replaced, the concrete itself can also be recycled at the end of its long service life.

Another way concrete floors minimize waste: The fresh concrete that goes into a floor slab is manufactured at a local ready-mix plant in the quantities needed for each project. This also saves on the energy required to transport a factorymade product such as tile or carpet from the plant, to the distributor and eventually to your home.

Energy Efficiency Because of their thermal mass and ability to retain heat, concrete floors are ideal for passive solar home designs. When homes are built to take advantage of solar radiation entering through windows in the winter months, concrete floors will absorb the heat from the direct sunlight and release the stored heat as needed at night to keep rooms warmer. Conversely in the summer and in hot climates, concrete floors shielded from the sun will stay cool longer and can actually help lower air-conditioning costs.

Concrete floors are also ideal for use with energy-efficient radiant in-floor heating systems.

With radiant heating, coils heated by electricity or hot water are embedded in concrete floors, warming the floor itself to deliver clean, even heat. Indutry leaders say that with radiant heating, people can be comfortable at lower temperatures than with forced-air heating, helping to rein in utility bills. Another benefit: When homes are heated with in-floor radiant heating, no air is being blown around, as with forced-air systems, so no dust or dirt gets recirculated into the air.

Economy An exposed concrete floor is often an economical alternative to other finish solutions such as hardwood flooring and tile. For new residential construction or commercial projects with sitecast concrete floor slabs, choosing to leave the concrete floors exposed can save big money over the life of the building. First, you don't have to buy and install an additional floor covering to put on top of the floor slab. In addition, the durability and low maintenance needs of concrete flooring will save you the recurring maintenance and replacement costs associated with less-enduring flooring materials, such as carpet and vinyl tile. In a typical home environment, decorative concrete floors are very low-maintenance, requiring only periodic sweeping or wet mopping.

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NGWENYA GLASS CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SUSTAINABILITY

NGWENYA GLASS ~ SWAZILAND’S HOTTEST TOURIST ATTRACTION! PROUDLY RE-CYCLING SINCE 1987 ‘THE GLASS IS GREENER ON OUR SIDE!’ 16

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or Ngwenya Glass ~ 'green' is a way of life.

All products are made fromm 100% recycled glass, that include a wide range of hand-made tableware, drinking glasses, vases, jugs; ornamental African animals. Most of the glass is from soft drink bottles, gathered from all over Swaziland.

Environmental considerations are integral to our production values: • Old engine oil and KFC oil is purchased, purified, and used to fuel the furnace, • We use only grey water and water from rainwater catchments in our production, • And waste newspaper for packaging.

• 550 solar panels have been installed on the factory roof Giving back Ngwenya Glass has started a tree-planting programme, and environmental clean up days are held in their area, and has for 28 years given

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a percentage of its worldwide sales to Mkhaya Game Reserve.

Ultimately, Ngwenya Glass is about people, creating and growing long-term employment in the area.

Visit us now Ngwenya Glass remains a popular local and tourist attraction located within a complex set in large indigenous gardens. Visit the factory to • view the magical art of glass blowing from an over-head balcony, • explore the craft centre with its selection of shops • or simply relax in the sunny coffee shop overlooking the children's play garde.

Telephone & Fax: +268 – 244 24053 / 244 24142 / 244 24151 / 244 24588 Fax from SA only: 086 5305 452 Email: ngwenya@ngwenyaglass.co.sz Website: www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz

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The art of tiles—delving deeper into their design

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ile flooring is manufactured from a variety of materials such as clay, stone, metal, terrazzo, and quartz. Each type of tile flooring has its own defining characteristics. Generally speaking, the two most commonly used types of tile flooring are ceramic and natural stone.

Ceramic tile can best be characterised as either porcelain or non-porcelain. Traditional ceramic tile is non-porcelain and is made from white, red, and/or brown clay and other minerals.

Porcelain ceramic tile is made from clay and minerals as well, but it also contains 50% of a white dust or sand called feldspar. Feldspar is a type of crystal found in rock that acts as a "flux" during the kiln-drying process, melting into a glass-like material and bonding all of the molded ingredients together. Minor modifications to the ingredients of ceramic tile or the kiln-drying process create enormous variety in the appearance and characteristics of manufactured ceramic tile flooring products.

Porcelain and non-porcelain ceramic tile can be either unglazed or glazed. Glazed tile has a matte, semi-gloss, or high-gloss finish applied to the surface during the manufacturing process.

Non-porcelain, ceramic tile is among the most economical types of tile flooring. Porcelain ceramic flooring is more expensive than nonporcelain and can be harder to work with.

However, it offers greater durability, natural stain resistance, minimal water absorption, and through-bodied colour. Many types of tile are manufactured in a similar fashion to ceramic tile, but they are less common. These include brick, cement, glass, encaustic, saltillo, and terra cotta tile. The varying materials and manufacturing processes create distinctive product characteristics.

Natural Stone Tile Natural stone tile is produced from natural materials that are quarried, slabbed, finished, and cut to size. Common types of stone used as flooring tile include granite, marble, limestone (including travertine), and slate. Among these types of natural stone are thousands of varieties with characteristics that depend on where and when the stone was quarried.

Granite is a type of igneous rock that is very dense and hard. Its distinctive appearance is due to speckled minerals found within the rock, its unique veining, and the thousands of available colours. Granite is nearly impervious and, once it is polished, resists scratching. It is an excellent choice for flooring in kitchens and high-traffic areas. www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

Marble is a type of metamorphic rock that has rich veining and is available in a variety of colours.

Marble is more porous than granite and is not recommended for kitchen flooring unless honed and then sealed on a regular basis.

Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that offers an earthy appearance in both light and dark shades. The surface can be textured or polished smooth. Limestone is less dense than granite and marble. It can be easily stained and is also prone to scratching. It is not recommended for kitchen or high-traffic flooring applications.

Travertine is a type of limestone that offers an unusual crystallised appearance with an earthy tone. Travertine is a soft, porous stone with a natural surface that has pitting or divots. A honed or polished surface can be achieved after filling the surface voids. Travertine is not recommended for kitchen floors, as it can be easily scratched and stained. Special care and surface sealing is required to maintain.

Slate is a type of metamorphic rock that is extremely dense and very durable. Slate is available in darker earthy tones. The surface of slate is naturally textured unless a smooth, honed finish is achieved. Slate is an excellent choice for kitchen and high-traffic area flooring.

Natural Stone Tile Surface Finishes The face of stone tile flooring typically has one of three types of finishes applied: natural, honed, or polished. The finishing process of natural stone begins once the stone is quarried and cut into a rough slab. The rough slab face is polished with abrasive pads. Extremely coarse abrasive pads are used first, then less coarse pads are used until the final buffing. The tiles are then cut to size by a stone fabricator. The surface finish you apply will depend on where you intend to use the stone tile and the desired appearance. Natural surfaces are unfinished and have an earthy, dull appearance.

Texture and pitting are visible characteristics of natural stone tile. Honed surfaces are achieved by terminating the finish process prior to buffing.

The smooth, matte appearance is excellent for high-traffic and wet areas to prevent slipping and wear. Polished surfaces are highly reflective with a mirror-like finish. The process of achieving a polished finish is a benefit to the porosity of stone tile, creating an almost impervious surface.

However, it also creates a more slippery surface.

In addition to these common types of finishes, other types are available that offer distinctive appearances and present their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the type of stone tile you choose and its intended application, you might opt for one of the other surface finish types. It is best to consult with a stone fabricator to determine the best surface finish for your project.

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Xeriscaping

—putting the X-factor in sustainable landscaping Every home owner wants a beautiful green garden throughout all the seasons.

But from an environmental perspective, having a green garden doesn’t refer to the colour of the garden, but rather to one that is designed to provide maximum protection to both the environment and your pocket.

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hile perhaps not the newest tool in water management, xeriscaping is a relatively unknown one. Xeriscape is a complicatedsounding word for a very wise and simple concept. In a nutshell, xeriscaping is waterefficient landscaping that’s appropriate to the natural environment.

Xeriscaping literally means dry landscaping, and is derived from the Greek word ‘xeros’ meaning dry. But the image that may arise from this brief description—parched land and rocks with little biological life, except perhaps a cactus – does serious injustice to both the concept of Xeriscaping and its importance in decreasing water scarcity.

On the contrary, Xeriscaping offers a wide range of horticultural choices that are both beautiful and diverse. While the idea of conserving water is elemental in Xeriscaping, the principles behind it are a good deal more complex and robust than this statement might imply. Xeriscaping is all about selecting from a range of choices of plants, soils and gardening techniques in order to identify those that are best suited for your locale. South Africa is one region that has benefitted enormously from the introduction of drought resistant plants in the local ecosystem. Numerous plants that require little water now survive here.

Because an estimated 50 percent of water consumption in the average single-family home is used outdoors, Xeriscaping offers

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an ideal way to minimise water waste while maintaining beautiful landscapes. Outdoor water use in a xeriscape can save anywhere from 30 to 80 percent in water consumption.

This means comparable savings in water and sewer charges, as well. An established, properly maintained xeriscape needs about one-third the water of a traditional turf-based landscape. Some xeric plants require almost no supplemental watering once they are established. An established xeriscape also requires less maintenance than a traditional landscape.

Xeriscaping is based on seven fundamental principles that serve as guidelines on how to plan, plant, and maintain a garden that takes advantage of natural climate conditions to make efficient use of irrigation. Although you may never convert your entire yard to a xeriscape, incorporating some of these principles may help it look beautiful and be more water efficient.

Seven principles of Xeriscaping Planning and design Any beautiful landscape starts with a good design, and a delightful xeriscape is no different. Before you move a shovelful of dirt or plant a single flower, start with an overall plan for your xeriscape. The physical characteristics of the site should be considered. Also consider your needs and your aesthetic preferences.

Here is just a sampling of the issues you should think about when planning your landscape:

Function— Do you need an active recreation area? If so, for what activities? A small turf area may be what you need. Do you need an “outdoor living room?” If so, consider expanding your patio area with additional shade structures and low-water-use trees and shrubs to provide privacy. Also consider the views you want to protect or screen. It’s important to know the mature size of the plants and trees you select to ensure that you get the views or privacy you desire.

Sun—What portions of your property receive morning sun, what portions receive hot, afternoon sun and where are the shady spots?

The amount and time of sun exposure will affect the types of plants you select.

Time— How much time do you want to spend maintaining your landscape? If you’d rather enjoy your yard than work in it, choose low-maintenance plants Limit and separate turf areas Lawns that stretch from property line to property line just don’t make much sense these days. Besides requiring a lot of fertilisers, herbicides and fungicides—chemicals that often end up in our streams, lakes and bays— large lawns with conventional spray irrigation waste one of our most precious resources: drinking water. Cutting back your grass doesn’t mean giving up your lawn. Instead of thinking of grass as the focal point of your yard, think of it as having a function: a play area, for example, or a visual frame for a larger natural setting. www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

With good soil, the right grass selection, and the right maintenance, you can still have a beautiful lawn area that needs little or no watering once established. And remember that grass is naturally resilient. It protects itself by going dormant in very dry conditions and springing back when normal rainfall returns.

Start by giving up turf areas that don’t get much use, such as those near foundations, along medians, or on steep slopes. Replace these turf areas with groundcover, flower gardens, ornamental shrubs and shade trees that are water-wise and drought-resistant.

Efficient irrigation A xeriscape can be irrigated efficiently by hand or with an automatic sprinkler system. If you're installing a sprinkler system, it's a good idea to plan this at the same time you design the landscape. For grass, low-pressure, low-angle sprinklers irrigate best. Drip, spray or bubbler emitters are most efficient for watering trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcovers. If you water by hand, try to avoid oscillating sprinklers and other sprinklers that throw water high in the air or put out a fine mist. The most effective sprinklers put out big drops and keep them close to the ground. The most efficient method to apply water is through some type of drip system. Many systems are on the market and the best types use controlled flow rates through emitters.

Water deeply and infrequently to develop deep roots. The best time to water is between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to reduce water loss due to evaporation. If you have an automatic sprinkling system, adjust your controller regularly to meet seasonal needs and weather conditions. Moisture sensors—devices that shut down the irrigation system when the ground is wet or on a rainy day—also help reduce water waste. Additionally greywater, if collected correctly, can be used for irrigation. (see article on page 22) Soil improvement You may need to add soil amendments before you plant for better absorption of water and improved water-holding capacity. Soils tend to fall into one of two categories: sand and clay. Clay soil is dense, slow to absorb and release water. If water is applied to clay soil too quickly, either pools on the surface or runs off. Over watering heavy clay soil can actually drown plants. Sandy soil can't hold water. Unless irrigated frequently, plants in sandy soils tend to dry out. For most soils, adding 1 to 2 inches of organic matter such as compost or well-aged manure to your soil can be beneficial, once mixed well into the soil.

Before amending soil, one must decide what the majority of plant species are that will be used. There are many well-adapted xeric plants www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

Water-wise plants There are a number of xeric plants available from any nursery and a few will only be available from specialist indigenous nurseries. With the exception of Aloe species, most plants will require that you water them every week for the first season after planting them. This will allow the plants to establish themselves and develop strong roots so that they can survive with only seasonal rains to support them. When digging the hole for planting, mix in to the soil a good organic fertiliser into the soil to give them a boost and also to help them recover from the transplanting shock. Mulching is well recommended. Not only will it suppress weeds but also help the soil retain its precious moisture for longer. Below are 5 popular shrubs that are waterwise and drought resistant.

Crassula ovata (Pink Joy, Money Plant, Tree of Happiness) This sturdy, branched, compact, rounded, evergreen succulent tree is thought of as a shrub growing from 1 - 3 m tall. It has glossy, dark to grey-green oval leaves on short, stubby branches and a robust stem or trunk. The leaves are often edged with red, more so if the plant is in full sun. The flowers are pink and the flowering time varies according to the climate. It is drought resistant.

Tecoma capensis (Cape Honeysuckle) Fast growing, evergreen shrub that copes well with drought conditions and wind. It can grow up to 2m and responds well to pruning. There are many colours available now from yellow, orange, salmon, pink and red and they flower from spring through summer. It also attracts the sunbirds, bees, butterflies, insect eating birds and is used for nesting Plumbago auriculata (Cape Leadwort) An old faithful favourite amongst gardeners and landscapers. It is dependable, evergreen, drought hardy and fast growing. Plant it in the sun or semi shade and look out for the blue flowers in summer.

These will attract butterflies and birds, which also use the bush as nesting sites. It responds well to pruning and if left to its own devices, it will scamper up to the tree tops.

Strelitzia reginae (Crane Flower) This evergreen shrub is water-wise and is KwaZuluNatal's floral emblem. It will thrive in the sun or semi-shade. The striking orange and blue flowers open on and off all year. They attract birds—insect and nectar eaters—as well as butterflies. It is a statement plant suitable for containers. It is ideal for small gardens and is long lasting in a vase. This plant is one of South Africa's most successful exports.

Cotyledon orbiculata (Pigs Ears) This fast growing succulent has thick leaves that are greyish green. The tall flower spikes produce bunches of pink tubular flowers in winter. These attract bees and nectar feeding birds like the sunbirds.

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that actually prefer not to have soil that’s too rich. For these hardy natives, all you’ll need to do is loosen the soil before you plant, while, on the other hand, there are a number of plants that require the extra support. Performing a soil test will confirm the amount of trace minerals that are available for the plants to utilise. Just remember that grading and soil improvements should be done prior to the installation of irrigation systems.

Mulches Mulched plant beds are an ideal replacement for turf areas and are an essential tool in gardening. Mulch helps keep plants' roots cool, prevents soil from crusting, minimizes evaporation and reduces weed growth.

Mulches also give beds a finished look and increase the visual appeal of your garden.

Organic mulches, such as bark chips, pole peelings or wood grindings, should be applied at least 4 inches deep. Because they decompose over time, they're an excellent choice for new beds. As plants mature and spread, they'll cover the mulched areas.

Another amendment to be careful with is wood mulch. Wood mulch piled up around the base of a species will cause the plant to rot at the base and die. Rock mulch works much better but one must still be careful to not pile it up around the base of the plant or crown rotting may still occur.

Inorganic mulches include rocks and gravel, and should be applied at least 2 inches deep.

They rarely need replacement and are good in windy spots. However, they should not be placed next to the house on the sunny south or west sides, because they tend to retain and radiate heat. If rock mulch is used in this forum, the plant species selections need to be the type that will like the extra heat that this type of exposure will provide.

drought tolerance. Water-conserving plants hold on longer to the water they receive.

Appropriate maintenance Preserve the beauty of your xeriscape with regular maintenance. The first year or two, your new landscape will probably require a fair amount of weeding, but as plants mature ,they will crowd out the weeds, significantly reducing your maintenance time. In addition to weeding, your xeriscape will need proper irrigation, pruning, fertilising and pest control.

Maintenance time for a new garden is similar to a traditional landscape, but it decreases over time. In addition to weeding, proper irrigation, pruning, fertilising and pest control will keep your landscape beautiful and water thrifty.

When your garden is well taken care of, you can sit back and enjoy it.

Xeriscaping also encourages the “zoning of landscapes”, which means clustering your turf, ground cover, shrubs, plants and trees according to their water need—and according to how natural weather conditions affect each area of the landscape. Moisture, sun, shade, air movement, and heat affect these “microclimates”.

For example, reflected light from structures facing the area of most sun creates high temperatures and increases the loss of water from nearby plantings. Shade trees and ground covers strategically planted in these exposures reduce temperatures in the warm, dry season, yet allow sunlight to enter during the months of high rainfall.

Similarly, water-loving plants can be grown in the microclimate zone of the landscape where irrigation and other water run-off is captured in drainage swales—again reducing the need for heavy watering. All of these microclimates utilise the Seven Principles of Xeriscaping.

Alternatives to having large areas of lawn as the centre decorative item of your garden, could include planted birdbaths, small fountains, stone paths or dry riverbeds.

Xeric plants There are many attractive less-thirsty garden species available for use in the tropical xeriscape, including numerous popular flowering trees, shrubs and vines, and turf grasses, which require less watering than others. Ideally, native plants that thrive on natural rainfall do best in a xeriscape. There are two factors that make a plant appropriate for a water-wise landscape: water conserving and www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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50 shades of Greywater Harvesting An introduction to how used household water presents a potentially suitable water resource that can be used for irrigating certain plants such as flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns in home gardens.

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he lesser known cousin of rainwater harvesting, greywater harvesting is a relatively easy method to reuse wastewater and use less of our valuable potable or fresh water and save thousands of litres of drinking water, something which is desperately needed in our country.

South Africa is a semi-arid country that receives an average of 490mm of rain every year. Currently, South Africa is experiencing a water shortage because there is only 1 000 m3 of water available per person per year. This figure will decrease as our population expands, pushing us into a greater water crisis. Municipal water use, which includes domestic water and water used in the garden, makes up an average of 27% of the total water used in the country. A major component of domestic water consumption is gardening, estimated at 31-50% of total household water use.

Greywater harvesting is capable of reducing the impact on natural water resources by reducing water consumption, saving money on water bills all the while ensuring a method of constant water supply for the garden. Before undertaking this method, there are a few things that one has to take into consideration and adhere to for the successful use of greywater.

Greywater quality, composition and characteristics The quality of water needed for irrigation and other non-drinking applications does not have to be of the same quality as required for potable water. In South Africa, though, the common

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practice is to use drinking water for nondrinking applications such as washing paving and vehicles and irrigating gardens. However, this is not sustainable. The quality of water used for agriculture and irrigation is governed by the South African Water Quality Guidelines Volume 4. These guidelines can be used to monitor the quality of greywater use if that greywater is reused for the purposes of irrigation.

Water quality is described by physical, chemical and biological characteristics: • Physical quality includes turbidity (clarity of the water), temperature and the total suspended solids in the water.

• Chemical quality includes pH (acidity or alkalinity of the water), chlorine (found in disinfectants in cleaning products), the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water and chemical oxygen demand (COD—a measure of the amount of organic material in the water.

• Biological quality mainly relates to the presence of bacteria and viruses, and the presence of E. coli, which indicates the presence of faecal contamination and, thus, biological water quality.

Greywater composition and characteristics Greywater is a reflection of the household activities and its characteristics are strongly dependent on living standards, social and cultural habits, number of household members and the use of household chemicals. Greywater from bathtubs, showers and hand washbasins is considered as the least polluted greywater source. The average greywater contribution to the total organic load (BOD5) amounts to

about 40 – 50%. Greywater also contributes to one fourth of the total suspended solids and up to two thirds of the total phosphorous load.

Dishwashing and laundry detergents are the main sources of phosphorous in greywater. In countries where phosphorous-free detergents are used, these loads are minimal. Kitchen greywater is the main source of nitrogen in domestic greywater, while the lowest levels are generally observed in bathroom and laundry greywater.

National legislation does not prohibit the reuse of greywater and, at present, there are no formal standards or guidelines for the reuse of greywater for irrigation in South Africa. The disposal of wastewater is subject to regulations and by-laws of relevant local councils. However, use must not contravene the National Health Act 61 of 2003 and allow greywater to create a nuisance, which is defined as fly/mosquito breeding, objectionable odours, the surface ponding of water and/or the entry of polluted water onto a neighbouring property.

Storage If greywater is stored before it is treated, microorganisms start to degrade the organic matter in the greywater. This increases the growth of microorganisms, which in turn leads to an anaerobic environment that generates unpleasant odours. Greywater storage for longer than 24 hours is, therefore, discouraged.

A filter is essential for any greywater system. It is generally a good idea to catch the lint, hair and other particles that you don’t want in your landscape. The simplest, most cost-effective www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

way to filter your greywater is to use a nylon stocking or a sock on the end of your drainage hose before it enters the garden or a collection chamber. The advantage of this type of filter is that it can be easily discarded and replaced with a new one.

Source

Description

Laundry water

Laundry water contains soaps, detergents, bleaches, water softeners, lint, dirt and small amounts of skin or faecal matter from clothes.

Recently, many detergents have become biodegradable and safe to the environment.

This water is suitable for irrigation use if your detergent is biodegradable.

Kitchen water

Kitchen sink or dishwasher greywater may contain soap, detergents, grease, oils, blood, small traces of pesticides and food scraps.

It should not be used for irrigation unless the water does not contain grease, blood, pesticides or oils.

How to use greywater Plants In general, tough drought-tolerant plants will do best with greywater irrigation or watering.

Greywater is typically alkaline, so avoid using it for extended periods of time on acid-loving plants such as azaleas, begonias, gardenias, hibiscus, camellias and ferns. Greywater should not be used on fynbos and proteas either. All plants will benefit from an occasional flushing of rainwater or tapwater to remove any greywater residue on the plant leaves if you’ve used the “sprayer” system. Pay attention to what your plants are telling you. Dry, wilted or curled leaves can be signs of lack of water, while wilted shoot tips or soft plant tissue can mean overwatering.

Examples of some plants that thrive on greywater irrigation are olives, rosemary, bougainvillea, lavender, Cape honeysuckle, Italian cypress, and petunias.

Soil Don’t overwater the same patch of soil with greywater, and prevent runoff by not watering your soil faster than it can absorb the greywater.

Don’t use greywater on soil with high clay content and low drainage, as pooling of water may be encouraged.

Greywater Systems A greywater system can be very simple. For example, you can use a bucket to carry your bath water outside to water the garden. Or, you can install a state-of-the-art system that does everything for you. The goal is to find a system that makes maximum use of your greywater, while minimising costs for the purchase, installation and maintenance of your system. All greywater systems need a water source and a way to get the water from the source to the point of use. www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

Shower and bath Shower and bath water may contain small amounts of soaps and water shampoo as well as hair, skin, oil, faecal matter and urine, but can also contain residues of cleaning products.This water is suitable for irrigation use Handbasin water

Handbasin water can contain soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair and shaving cream as well as residues of cleaning products.

This water is suitable for irrigation use.

The different greywater systems each have their own system components to collect, transport and irrigate the greywater. There are systems that treat both black and greywater to a standard that is suitable for use in the garden. If your greywater conatains harmful contaminants such as oil or blood, consider a professional treatment system.

Most common methods to collect greywater • Bucket system: Use a bucket to transport the greywater, by hand, from the bathroom to garden. It is the cheapest system but may be slightly inconvenient.

• DIY pipe system: Connect a pipe from the outlet of your bathroom to a hose-pipe. Lay the hose-pipe in the part of your garden that needs watering.

• Commercial greywater system: The greywater system is connected directly to the outlet pipes of the bathroom and the greywater is collected in a closed storage tank. The greywater is filtered to remove hair and lint. From the storage tank, the greywater is pumped to irrigation pipes and distributed to the garden.

GREYWATER REUSE RULES You can use your greywater if: • You use natural cleaning products or environmentally safe products where possible.

• You supplement your irrigation once a month with clean municipal water or rainwater.

• All your greywater originates from your own residence and is not allowed to leave the boundary on which it is generated.

• You apply the greywater in such a way that it is not allowed to form ponds on the surfaces after watering.

• You never use irrigation systems that spray a fine mist.

• Your greywater system has an overflow or diversion directed into the sewage collection system.

• Your greywater system collection tank is covered to restrict access and to eliminate a habitat for mosquitoes or other vectors.

Do not: • Store greywater for longer than 24 hours before it is reused.

• Use water from the kitchen (see Point 2. ‘What is greywater’ for more information).

• Use laundry water —especially if it has been used to wash nappies or other clothing soiled by faeces and/or urine.

• Let children and pets drink or play directly in or around greywater.

• Allow greywater to flow into watercourses, swimming pools or dams.

• Spray or mist with greywater, as this may introduce pathogens into the air, which could be inhaled.

• Use greywater if anyone on the premises is suffering from an infectious disease. Irrigate fruits and vegetables from above with greywater if they are going to be eaten raw.

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THE SMARTER WAY TO ENJOY WATER 010 450 0500 | info@grohedawn.com | www.grohe.co.za

All GROHE EcoJoy™ products are systematically designed to save water and energy so that precious resources are conserved. These products, equipped with water-saving technology, offer the perfect water experience without the need to compromise.

Reducing water and energy consumption goes hand in hand with convenience and attractive design. Less water. Perfect flow.

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7 TIPS ON GREENING YOUR BATHROOM IN STYLE T

ypical households within South Africa, use about 250 litres of water per day, which amounts to 7 500 litres per month, which is already way more than the monthly water allowance each household receives from the municipality.

South Africa has been facing water shortages, for what seems to be a very long time. In order to save water and the environment as well, we definitely need to have a serious look at going green as much as we possibly can, but let's focus on the one place that we tend to use the most in our homes—our bathrooms.

Have you ever heard of the saying, “if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down?”

Well, I can guarantee you that there are better options to consider, in order for us to save water and the environment, than venturing down that www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

dreadful path. Although bathrooms only take up a small section of our homes, this particular place makes use of the most waste, water and cleaning detergents.

To ensure that our bathrooms are safe to use, comfortable and, most importantly, environmentally friendly, there are a few measures we can carry out to move away from bathrooms that do more harm than good; not only to the environment, but to our human bodies as well.

technique to produce a strong or equal flow of water with less water than other less-efficient fixtures”. This, therefore, means that it tends to give the illusion that water is flowing rapidly, when it is, in fact, using less water and saving water at the same time.

1. Low-flow fixtures: What are they? And how do they work?

Challenge for Sustainability’s definition -“Lowflow water fixtures are sink taps, showerheads, and toilets that use less water per minute than older, traditional models. Low-flow water fixtures conserve water by using a high-pressure G R E E N HOME

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We need to understand that it is of utmost importance that we conserve water, as it is one of our most important, yet scarce natural resources. This is due to the fact that we, as human beings, are making use of the planet's freshwater, faster than it can be replenished.

Therefore, if we decide to make use of lowflow fixtures in our bathrooms, it could help us use water wisely and, in the long run, do less damage to the environment.

The following percentages show how much water is used within our households according to Aquarista, which is the leader in greywater garden irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems in South Africa: • Toilets- 29% • Laundry- 13% • Bathing/Showering- 20% • Cooking/Drinking- 3% • Gardening- 35%

night and, in the long run, decreases the costs of high electricity bills.

4. Ventilation: Due to the frequent use of bathrooms day and night, ventilation is vital in conserving energy in an eco-friendly bathroom. One way to ensure quality ventilation is to install a turbine ventilation system, which would extract hot air, allowing cool fresh air to enter the building from outside according to Turbovent, leaders in natural cooling and ventilation in South Africa. The benefits of using this cooling and ventilation system, is that it requires no electricity or maintenance to run. It makes use of natural air, creating a healthy environment.

Toilets flush, on average, 9 litres with every use, and this definitely is a lot of water that is being wasted. When showering and bathing, the water that has been used can easily be reused to water the garden; this will cut down the 35% of water that is used on gardening.

Just by implementing low-flow fixtures in our toilet systems and on our showerheads, more than half the water used on these two aspects can be saved.

2. Install motion sensor taps: To avoid using more water than needed when going through your daily routine like washing your face, brushing your teeth and washing your hands, a motion sensor tap can be installed. The use of the motion sensor tap will ensure that H2O is only used when needed. This can also play a key role as no germs can be contracted, which will create a germ-free environment.

3. Change your lightbulbs: LED lights seem to be the new trend w h e re l i g h t i n g i s c o n c e r n e d.

Compared to old fashioned light bulbs, LED light bulbs is one of the simplest ways one can save on an electricity bill. This is due to the fact that it lasts 25 times longer and consumes 80% less energy than the older light bulbs.

Low-energy bulbs will eventually replace high-energy consuming light bulbs over the next three years according to Diane Pham, a writer for Inhabitat.com Another option could be to install motion sensor lights that would switch on when motion is detected and immediately turn off when the bathroom is not in use. This avoids the lights from burning throughout day and www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

5. No Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Paints: Everyone wants their bathrooms to look inviting and most people do so by opting for attractive paint colours for their bathroom walls. Very often, the chemical make of the paints is not considered to be eco-friendly.

This, however, can be harmful to the human body when inhaled, as it produces volatile organic compounds. According to Tox Town, these organic compounds easily become vapours or gases which consist of elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulphur or nitrogen.

One way of avoiding this is to make use of low or no VOC paints. A good eco-friendly painting company to consider is Selfcoat eco paint which has been in the market for over thirty years in South Africa, in order to help save the planet. Although their prices are said to be competitive and are often cheaper, they still have the ability to offer their customers a wide range of products to choose from, which is both beneficial to their customers' health and bathroom, leaving a carbon footprint for the environment.

6. Bathroom countertops: There are many options available when deciding which countertops to install in your refurbished, eco-friendly bathroom. A good countertop to use would be one that is made from recycled goods, which is now more readily available than ever. These natural surfaces tend to resist scratching and have no off gassing, meaning that it can do no damage to one’s health.

7. Bath products and eco-friendly detergents: All the products in your bathroom, from hand soap to cleaning detergents, can all be ecofriendly. By making use of these certified organic products, one can ensure the safety and health benefits for your body and skin.

Greenstuff is one of many South African based companies that offers a variety of products that promote sustainable hospitality and lifestyles for homeowners. They help to ensure that society makes use of the greener versions of everything they use in their daily routines.

It is clear that there are many methods to choose from when trying to save on energy and water to ensure that we positively contribute to the growth and sustainability of the environment. The world is not what it once was and these have become scarce resources. So, it is, therefore, of the utmost importance that they are maintained and preserved to ensure a healthy and cost-effective lifestyle. What better way to start building an eco-friendly environment, than in your own home by focusing on your bathroom, which is one of the highest contributors to the water wastage, which has an impact on the country as a whole.

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Pioneering the future of sustainable building solutions.

Shaping our industry’s future Dulux Trade – global leader in sustainability – offers products and services that provide comprehensive green solutions for the South African professional.

Long-lasting affordability

More durable

Our Trade Diamond range creates finishes that look better for longer, which extends maintenance cycles and reduces the life cost of the project, leading to less paint and other resources used during the lifetime of a building.

Awarded with a Green Star rating, the Cell C building was painted with our Ecosure range.

Long-lasting affordability Our Trade Diamond range creates finishes that look better for longer, which extends maintenance cycles and reduces the life cost of the project, leading to less paint and other resources used during the lifetime of a building.

Low impact, high quality

Low impact

Made with waterbased solvents and minimal volatile organic compounds, our Trade Ecosure range is ideal for achieving quality results with minimal impact on the environment.

Making a positive difference

Positive impact

Create healthy spaces with the envirowash system that converts water-based paint washings into solid nonhazardous waste, and Sterishield, an environmentally friendly, durable and stain-resistant hygiene coating.

Doing more with less

Beauty Fires – Bioethanol Fireplaces Our exquisitely designed bioethanol fireplaces are completely vent-free. No chimney or additional ventilation required. No hassles of gas or electricity connections. A bioethanol fireplace can be installed in areas where gas and wood fireplaces are not allowed. A bioethanol fireplace allows its user design flexibility with no clean ups, maintenance or stocking of wood - just instant heat and pure organic flames. A bioethanol fireplace is safe and burns completely clean. Whether a built-in fireplace, suspended fireplace, wall-mounted fireplace, freestanding fireplace, mobile fireplace or burner: bioethanol fireplaces cater for all solutions. Its great for you and the environment.

http://beautyfires.com/product-category/bioethanol-fireplaces/

Ironwood creations - Recycled aluminium homeware At Ironwood creation we convert scrap aluminium into functional art so that you can add hand-made, rustic fixtures to your decor projects. Our Rust resistant items are creatively designed and re-manufactured using ingots from a foundry that smelts scrap aluminium into the pure ingots. The scrap comes from old car engine parts and old machinery that is no longer used.

From the inside out—Eco-interior products to help green your home Eco Furniture Design Eco Furniture Design is a sustainable wooden furniture store and supplier based in South Africa that specialises in lifestyle furniture and décor incorporating three critical elements in their designs to create stylish, high quality solid wooden furniture that is both functional and affordable. Items are all locally made using sustainable raw materials and eco friendly paints and finishes. We can accommodate both individual requests as well as large and bulk orders. From the inception of a simple idea, every sought-after piece we’ve produced has had to meet all three requirements: Client’s specific needs, sustainable raw materials, and design functionality.

Dried painted seedpods with glass beads on a beaded metal frame with a metal base. D-20cm H-30 cm

eHeater Energy Saving Wall Panel Heater Jacaranda Seed Chandeliers - The African Queen Studio The African Queen’s Studio’s unique products are completely handmade and original. Jacaranda seedpods are collected by local residents, then cleaned and processed in our workshop in Mc Gregor, before being strung into exciting chandeliers. This labour intensive process creates more employment opportunities, desparately needed in our small rural community. The work is simple and requires minimal skills training. Absolutely no power or machinery is required in these production processes, and the carbon footprint is practically nil.

www.africanqueen.org.za www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

Econo-Heat wall panel heaters offer out-of-the-way wall mounting and are an economic way of providing efficient room heating at a low cost. Using natural convection technology, heat is mainly generated behind the heater in the space between the panel and the wall, which leads to an efficient up draught of heated air circulated into the room (the heated air rises at a speed of 0.7m per second!)

Energy saving – low electricity consumption, only 400 watts Quick and easy to install with the patented Econo-Kit Can be painted to match interior décor Natural convection technology – heated air rises at 0.7m/s Safer for children and pets – no exposed elements of fans Ultra slim and compact design – out-of-the-way wall mounting G R E E N HOME

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Wispeco Aluminium - Aluminium Extrusions Aluminium extrusions made with recycled content and available in a variety of finishes.

Wispeco extruded aluminium profiles are available in mill, powder coating, or anodised finishes.

Both aluminium virgin billet and billet produced from recycled aluminium are utilised in the extrusion process whereby the heated mixed aluminium billet is pushed through a die under high pressure and temperature to form simple or very complex profile shapes.

Wispeco uses 69% post-consumer recycled aluminium and process scrap which is sourced locally. but Tthe virgin aluminium ingots are also sourced locally, but virgin aluminium billet to meet the raw material demand is imported, since billet is not produced locally.

AgiliaTM Self Compacting Concrete AgiliaTM is a self-placing concrete. Because its high fluidity, it requires no vibration during the construction. This imporves on-site conditions for workers, and worksite quality, and reduces worksite noise. AgiliaTM is suitable for a great variety of applications: e.g. architectural projects, foundations, facades.

From the ground up- Ecobuilding products to help you create your home

TOP 3 Benefits: • Health & Ecotoxicity •No Vibration necessary during construction • Reduces Worksite Noise

Arch Wood Protection - Tanalised™ E Pressure Treated Wood Tanalised® E Pressure Treated Wood is treated with Tanalith® E wood preservative, which contains Copper and Azole Biocides, which takes into account the ultimate disposal of the treated timber with minimal environmental impact.

Tanalised® E Pressure Treated Wood is treated with Tanalith® E wood preservative, which contains Copper and Azole Biocides, which takes into account the ultimate disposal of the treated timber with minimal environmental impact. This wood preservative provides protection against fungal decay, soft rots, insect borers and termites both in and out of ground contact. The wood preservative is applied under pressure in a wood treatment vessel in a controlled environment, and can be used on both sawn timber and wooden poles. The treated timber is suitable for close human contact applications.

Belgotex Floors – SDX Tufted Bitumen Backed Carpet Belgotex Floors is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, and monitors its energy and water use and its waste flows and carbon emissions, with the aim of continuous improvement. They also generate about 5% of their total annual energy requirement themselves, using onsite solar PV panels.

Saint-Gobain – Gyproc Plasterboard Gyproc Plasterboard is a range of products consisting of an aerated or foamed gypsum core encased in paper liner. Gyproc Plasterboards can be adapted to the requirements of different sites, by using performance boards to achieve the required thermal, acoustic or fire ratings. Suitable for use in commercial and residential projects.

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Tel: (012) 329 0488 Fax: (012) 329 0543 E-mail : sales@ceramicwholesaler.co.za

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Kitchen and Bathroom Decor Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Mosaic Roof Tiles NEW! We got you covered, from Roof to Floor, and anything that in between. www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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Electric Bikes by

www.bhsouthafrica.co.za BH Easy Motion e-Bikes • Powered by Bosch electric motors and Panasonic batteries • Pedal-assisted electric power • Maximum speeds of up to 45 km/h with a range of up to 125 km • Battery lifespan of 30 000 km or 500 charges (20% max deterioration) • Choose between dual suspension or hard tail CONTACT 34

Email: sales@bhsouthafrica.co.za Tel: 021 715 7182

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