Steadfast Greening has been appointed by GBCSA to do the project co-ordination for My Green Home, which is a very exciting project focusing on a normal family “going green”.

Starting this week, South Africans can learn and save along with the Ngewena family to challenge their habits, save energy and install energy efficient equipment in their house. Zwelethu the Father explains: “Our goal is to cut our electricity consumption by 15%  with ‘no cost’ changes and with equipment take this to 40% percent in just three months”. They also aim to reduce their water conservation by 20% and to recycle 75% of their waste. Do you want to join the challenge to take action in your home?

The project started at the beginning of the year when the Ngewana family was selected as the focus family.  During February various meters were installed into their home, while March they were asked to do “business as usual” to establish a baseline.  Early April the family received training around climate change, energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction.  They were tasked to reduce their consumption through behaviour change with no additional cost implications.  At the start of May the retrofit (home make over) will happen with various sponsored products as outlined below.

You can follow the family’s journey online at www.mygreenhome.org.za and on Twitter (@MyGreenHomeSA or #MyGreenHome).  The website has useful advice and resources to get started, based on cost criteria. Regular competitions will reward people who participate, with a range of green prizes.

My Green Home is led by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), with main co-funding from the German government through the South African-German Energy Programme (SAGEN) as part of the bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Germany. SAGEN is implemented by GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit an international organisation which supports the German government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. The project is also supported by the 49M campaign and SANEDI.nd a grand prize of another ‘green home makeover’.