Recently South African property news features focused on COP 17 and what the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) was planning to do. An example of the GBCSA’s initiative was the first “green street” retrofit, a legacy project which aimed to restore 30 low income homes in a street at the Cato Manor, Kwa Zulu Natal.

Green houses offer a lot of benefits and pretty soon they will be such a norm that they won’t be reported on in South African property news outlets.

Here are a few benefits that a green-house has to offer:

• Lowers electricity bill

With proper insulation and sealing the house will keep heating and cooling at low costs, appliances, lights and windows will also save you money thus decrease the amount on the electricity bill.

• The house requires fewer repairs

Green homes are built with high quality material which makes them durable.

• Increased value in the future

Green houses are becoming a trend in the property field meaning if you were to sell your green home today you would probably get a bit more money than the conventional house on sale next door.

• Health benefits

Green homes make use of natural ventilation, use very little natural resources and are built with toxin-free building materials.

With a green home you know that you use up less energy because you use alternative energy sources. So in your own right you are saving the world with your environmentally friendly home.