carbonfootprint – Zimbali Guesthouse

CARBON FOOTPRINT

Prior to the launch of our Zimbali Guest House (affectionately called uBukwa) the reduction of carbon emissions was a priority. This was fuelled by the ever so often load shedding from where the idea was borne.

Being an Exclusive, 5 Star Tourism SA Graded, Luxury Holiday home offering premium service, our aim was to ensure that our clients have uninterrupted power and water, together with this supporting our environment and further reducing the strain on the countries energy resources.

Solar Power

Use the Power of the Sun to Charge ALL your FUN!!!

uBukwa is the only Holiday Rental Home in Zimbali Coastal Resort that offers FULL seamless solar power on all Plugs and Lights, powering up the 22 living spaces/rooms in our home. We were true to our commitment by investing in excess of 3/4 million rands for backup power alone. The home is powered by a Victron Energy Management System controlling 18 Solar Panels together with a 20KVA battery backup system.

Solar Power is our Soul Power!

Water Tanks

To ensure a consistent supply of water and to prevent any inconvenience to our guests we have onsite water tanks for usage. This allows us to operate independent of municipal water supply restrictions or outages, hence 'off-grid' water supply available.

Solar Geysers

The home is Solar Powered by two by 200liters Solar Gysers delivering hot water to all taps via a reticulation pump system, similar to hotels.

Underground Water Tank

The home has a 20,000 liter storm water tank , allowing for the re-using of the water for gray water use.

Energy Saver LED Bulbs

LEDs are more efficient than most other light sources. All bulbs in the guest house are LED bulbs.

We have day-night timer switch that controls all outside lights.

Low LE Glass

Our home has low LE Glass installed. Windows can be responsible for 25% of a home's wintertime heat loss. In addition to reducing heat loss during winter months, low-e glass also reduces heat gain during the air-conditioning season. Less UV damage

Dual Flush Toilet

Combined with the savings from using only half-flushes for liquid waste, the dual flush toilet design can save up to 68 percent more water than a conventional low flow toilet.

Gas Cooking

Gas stoves are less expensive than electric stoves to operate, anywhere between 10 and 30 percent less on average. The pre-heat time on gas is on average 40% less.

Individual Air-conditioning

Each Room has individual airconditioning which means that energy is only consumed for actively used rooms.

Signature Flora and Fauna

The harmony of the flora and funa within Zimbali Coastal Resort is unique. Many resorts and estates alike try to emulate this signature ecosystem.

No alien invasive plants are used.

Only Indigenous plants are used thus ensuring the harmonious coexistence of both the flora and funa within our Resort.

Water Flow Reducers

All shower heads & taps have water flo reducers.

Waste Recycling Program

We support the recycling program in our resort. Our house garbage is sorted to separate recyclable materials for our Wednesday recycling program.

Insulation Roof Blanket

Our roof of our holiday home is insulated with a premium quality roof blanket which creates a barrier to heat gain and loss in ceilings, roofs, floors, and walls. It is practical way to keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Cavity Brick Walls

All the external walls throughout our home are built as cavity walls. Cavity walls give better thermal insulation than solid walls. It is because of the space provided between the two leaves of cavity walls it is full of air and it reduces heat transmission into the building from outside.