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Designing homes that rely less on the grid
Load shedding has changed the conversation about new homes in South Africa. Many clients now ask for a house that stays comfortable and functional when the power is off. The best place to start is passive design: good orientation, insulation, cross-ventilation and shading. A home that needs less heating and cooling needs a smaller, cheaper backup system.
We then plan for solar panels, inverters and batteries even if you install them later. That means a roof with the right pitch and orientation, space for equipment in a ventilated area and wiring routes planned in advance. Gas hobs and solar or heat pump water heating are also worth considering at the design stage.
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