NewsletterMarch 2019

CENTURIONEstates and Lifestyle

Easyupgrades to

save water inthe bathroom.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Contact our sales team

Tel: 072 386 3514

E-mail: nadine@lifestylemedia-

group.co.za

Disclaimer: This eMagazine is produced especially for residents of Residential Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced by Lifestyle Media Group. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, Lifestyle Media Group, Residential Estate HOA’s and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.

This magazine is designed & published by :

ContentsThe Estate Portal

Download The Estate App

Home Maintenance Line

Load-Shedding Tips

Tired Of Loadshedding Tips

Easy Upgrades To Save Water In The

Bathroom

How To Create The Ultimate Home Theatre

8 Amazing Benifits Of Indoor Plants

Dear Mom’s

5

6

7

9

10

16

21

26

29

A WORD FROM THE EDITORIn true South African fashion, the weather is all anyone is talking about. As a person who prefers the hotter weather, I can’t say I’m overly excited about the onslaught of winter. I much prefer the in between seasons of spring and autumn, but I won’t be Scroogeabout it…

I’m a bit of an eco-warrior! I’v become across some really nifty “of the grid”things to help you “green” your home without losing the creature-comforts of modern living.

As a working mom, my home duties certainly do not “lessen” just because I’m not at home all day. I still have to full-time-mom, full-time-wife and full-time-work. It’s exhausting but as I’ve matured (like a fine red wine, I believe) I’ve realised the importance of just stopping, taking a breath and being present in the moment. Next month we celebrate Mother’s day so turn to page 29 and win yourself a fine red wine.

I wish all residents a happy Easter. May you be blessed with an abundance of family time and chocolate.

Best wishes

Nadine3

Not only is the portal an essential tool for you and for the Estate Management to keep contact details up to date but it is also a great communication tool.

The tool is both private and public in that you will be able to continually update your contact details. Moreover, we will be able to communicate generally using the portal rather than e-mail and this letter can be sent out to all the right people not just a select few!

Please visit the portal regularly. 5

The Estate Portal

We give you an upmarket app for the upmarket individual. The GLOPortal Residential app is an all-in-one app to help you stay current with your community, during your busy lifestyle. Stay up-to-date on all the news in your Estate or maintain your property 24/7 with the Home Maintenance Line, anywhere in the world. This app will be your guide, to your home away from home.

Here is some features you can find in the Mobile App:• Viewing and updating of own information• Viewing of important estate numbers and information• Viewing of estate helpdesk• Viewing and posting of classifieds• Access to helpdesk• Access and viewing to estate documents• Viewing of upcoming events

Why you should download the EstatesResidential Mobile App

How it works1. Go to the home maintenance icon on the Community Portal or Mobile App and register your request. Alternatively contact 010 593 0599.2. OnCallSA will contact you to confirm the request and get a better understanding of your needs and urgency thereof before dispatching one of their qualified teams. OnCallSA provide a free on-site quote for most services.3. OnCallSA will confirm appointment time and details of the team member dispatched.4. On acceptance of the quote, OnCallSA will attend to your project or problem. All payments are made directly to OnCallSA.5. On completion, OnCallSA will contact you to ensure you are satisfied before invoicing. Final payment is due only when you are satisfied with the job. They offer a unique workmanship guarantee and full recourse.

HOME MAINTENANCE LINEAs a free value-added service to our residents, Home Maintenance Line provides a hassle-free maintenance and installation solution. The service is managed by OnCallSA and available in most estates in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Coastal KZN.

Communication: Ensure that your cell phone, laptop, tablet and radio are always fully charged when power is available. This will allow you to be able to communicate with friends and family during load-shedding.

Transport: Make sure that your vehicle always has fuel in the tank as most petrol stations are unable to pump fuel during power outages.

Cash: Keep some cash on you as ATMs cannot operate without electricity

Security and safety: Backup batteries for electrically operated gates, garage doors and security systems should be kept in a good working condition and be able to

last through periods of load-shedding. Store temporary lighting such as battery-powered torches, gas lamps and candles in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.

Eating: If you do not have a gas stove, prepare meals before the power is scheduled to be switched off. Boil water in your kettle and keep it in thermos flasks for hot drinks. You can also use an insulating cover on teapots, pots and pans to keep drinks and meals warm.

Most medication requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling but you should check with your doctor or pharmacist if in doubt.

LOADSHEDDING

TIPS

Switch off and unplug all electronics and appliances when the power is due to go off as it may come back with a spike in the voltage, which can damage electronic devices such as computers, television sets, DVD players, etc.

Reference Article

SNYMAN DE JAGER - 0916.indd 1 2016/09/26 12:12:37 PM

TIREDOF LOAD

SHEDDING?WAYS TO TAKE YOUR HOME ‘OFF THE GRID’

The recent recommencement of load shedding brings home just how dependent

we all are on a continued supply of power in order to go about our daily business and private lives. Apart from this, going off the grid makes pure economic sense as electricity and other utility costs continue to rise inexorably.

Anthony Stroebel, GM for real estate services at Pam

Golding Properties and a director of the Green Building

Council of South Africa (GBCSA), points out that having

your home off the a grid is becoming an increasing

imperative, apart from being both a lifestyle and

property investment. And there is no shortage when it

comes to options.

“Since we began using solar panels to heat up our

geysers, the available technology and options to

reduce our load on the country’s dwindling resources

have exploded and are rapidly becoming. nearer one’s

reach. Apart from which, we increasingly find that

green features in a home not only enhance appeal and,

potential value, they also add saleability.”

Apart from looking into the future of the planet, the

question on everyone’s mind is around cost and the

time it takes to amortise an off-the-grid investment.

As a trend that is only growing in influence, pressure

is beginning to build for banks to come up with more

creative lending solutions that offer pre-packaged end-

user financing options.

“Our homeowner awareness campaign identifies three main options towards greening a home.”

C o n t i n u e . . .

1. NO COST

• Lower the thermostat on your electric geyser to 55 or 60 degrees and

remember to switch it off when you go away for longer periods.

• Pool pumps use a lot of electricity. Reduce the time your pool pump runs

to four to six hours in summer and two to three hours per day in winter.

• Ironing also uses a lot of electricity. Separate laundry into essential

ironing and items that can be folded and packed away.

• Set the washing machine to use cold water (30 degrees) for all clothing

colours.

• Avoid using the tumble dryer and instead dry your clothes on the wash

line.

• Geysers are typically the biggest electricity guzzlers in a home. Take

shorter showers - ideally no more than two minutes.

“This is an interesting one that could also be called ‘no excuse’, and simply suggests that we change our behaviour in order to reduce our consumption,” says Cruickshanks. Here are a few of their favourites:

• Install a geyser timer that switches off during the middle

of the day.

• Target your heat. Use electric blankets and hot water

bottles instead of heating an entire room.

• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Light

Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

• Install a low-flow shower head, designed to reduce the

water flow while still giving you a great shower.

• Install tap aerators - which again reduce the water flow

- to reduce the quantity of water you use.

• Opt for motion sensor lights for outdoor security,

instead of lights running all night.

2. LOW COSTIf you are ready to invest, but not break the bank, the good news is that you have plenty of options:

• Install a geyser timer that switches off during the middle

of the day.

• Target your heat. Use electric blankets and hot water

bottles instead of heating an entire room.

• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Light

Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

• Install a low-flow shower head, designed to reduce the

water flow while still giving you a great shower.

• Install tap aerators - which again reduce the water flow

- to reduce the quantity of water you use.

• Opt for motion sensor lights for outdoor security,

instead of lights running all night.

3. INVEST TO SAVEIf you are ready to invest, but not break the bank, the good news is that you have plenty of options:

“The break-even period for different green interventions varies according to a range of factors. Remember that two household showers a day, as opposed to six, using the same solar water heating system will have different outcomes,” says Cruickshanks.Similarly, the cost of installing a solar PV system designed to supply full household needs will differ from

a blended energy supply which includes municipal as well as on-site renewable energy.

“It is unlikely that the cost of a completely off-grid home will be recovered in under 10 years due to the

high capital investment required. In the future, however, rapidly increasing utility costs and changes in

legislation which will allow for electricity to be returned to the grid will reduce the payback period,”

It seems like the greatest change should still be a mindset change. Cruickshank uses a water example to

offer further advice.

“Ideally, water should be harvested from rainfall and recycled from the household, rather than extracted from aquifers using boreholes as this is a finite resource.”

WHEN WILL YOU BREAK EVEN?

“In order to get the best performance and payback period it is important to ensure that a solar system for energy or water, as an example, is correctly sized, specified and installed. Unless the homeowner is familiar with these criteria, it is best to seek out professional advice from an experienced professional or installer,” says Cruickshanks.Not only will the value that you add to your home make it increasingly attractive, says Lanice Steward,

head of training for of Pam Golding Properties, but when your potential sale is in competition with other

properties, these features could be the deal clincher. Also, don’t forget that beautiful gardens do help sell

homes, so being able to keep your garden alive with well point or borehole water - and being able to enjoy

it at the same time, is an added benefit, she says.

Whichever way you look at it, investing in taking your home off the grid is certainly worth a look. Maybe in the future, South African households will even be generating income by selling their own power back to the grid.

WHAT ABOUT DIY INTERVENTIONS?

Easy upgrades to save water in the bathroom When you realise that around half of any

household’s water consumption occurs in the bathroom, it is easy to understand that making a few water-friendly changes will reduce your overall water usage.

Around half of any household’s water consumption occurs in the bathroom, so it’s easy to understand that making a few water-friendly changes will reduce your overall water usageSo says Raymond Oliver of leading sanitaryware and tile manufacturer, Roca, who adds that just upgrading to a more water-efficient toilet can save an average South African family up to 41 500 litres of water per year.

However, he says going green in the bathroom is not nearly as costly as many people think.

“Up-fitting your faucets, fixtures and toilets to more efficient and eco-friendly options can be one of the most frugal updates you can make to your home, but one with serious financial up sides with regards to savings on utility bills, as well as increasing the resale of your home.”

He gives an overview of some of the most

cost-effective remedies to the biggest

water guzzlers in the bathroom: Reference Article

Taps and fixtures

One of the easiest things to do to make your bathroom a greener space is to replace your taps and fixtures with low-flow options. Aerators are a must-have for any low-flow faucet – it is a screw-on tip of a faucet, and it determines the maximum flow rate.

“To reduce your water usage without changing the tap, you can easily add a Roca flow limiter to any of our basin taps, showerheads or shower hoses. Flow controls reduce the maximum flow delivered by the tap to a specified economical flow rate,” says Raymond.

He notes that if you don’t have Roca faucets, you should unscrew the aerator from your existing tap and take it to the store with you so you can ensure you purchase one that fits your existing faucets properly. Alternatively, you can, replace the entire tap with a new one that has an eco low-flow aerator built-in.

Another water-friendly feature to look for when selecting your taps, are eco disc cartridges, “The eco disc cartridge from Roca for example, gives you the choice between two water flows. As you raise the lever handle, you reach a level of resistance, giving you 50% of the flow. By lifting beyond this point, you achieve full water flow. ”

With regards to showerheads, low-flow options can cut water usage by as much as 25% to 65%, depending on the unit you select, and they are easy to install. There are two types of showerheads you can choose from – aerator or laminar-flow showerheads. An aerating showerhead incorporates air into the water to form a misty-type spray. Or you can choose a laminar-flow showerhead, which produces streams of water – these are better for those living in more humid climates as they cut down the amount of steam and moisture produced while showering.

Collect, conserve and catch-all

“Turning off the water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving is a great way to save water. As is turning the shower off while you are soaping up, shaving or washing your hair in the shower. You can also place a bucket under any faucet or showerhead, to collect water that runs while it heats up – you can use this to fill the toilet cistern, for drinking or cooking. You can also catch your soapy grey water, and use this for watering plants or for cleaning purposes.”

Also, he advises that you should save baths for very special occasions, rather opting to shower. “The average bath uses around 130 to 190 litres to fill, whereas a 10-minute shower with a Roca low-flow showerhead will use as little as 50 litres.”

However, that if you really love bathing and just can’t go without a relaxing soak every now and again, then you should install a reduced capacity bath. “Roca for

example, offers a range of reduced capacity baths, which boast a much lower capacity when compared to standard baths, due to their reduced height, lowered overflow and internal shaping. They allow you the luxury of a bath, without the guilt of wasting so much water.”

And lastly, but most importantly, Raymond says that every responsible citizen should fix any leaky taps or toilets in their homes. “A single leaky toilet can waste as much as 400 litres of water per day – the equivalent of four full baths. While one leaking tap can waste as much as 120 litres of water per day.”

Regarding toilets, Raymond says that if you can hear water flowing when the toilet has not been flushed, or if you can see a constant trickle at the back of the toilet pan, then you most probably have a leaky toilet that needs to be repaired.

Frugal flushing

It is estimated that around a quarter of the water we use in the home is used to flush the toilet, so investing in a dual-flush toilet is a must.

It is estimated that around a quarter of the water we use in the home is used to flush the toilet. How much water you use per flush largely depends on the size of the toilet’s cistern. Raymond advises that if you are really looking to reduce your water consumption, investing in a dual-flush toilet is a must.

“All Roca cisterns are dual flush, allowing you to choose the amount of water that is required. It offers 6-litre/3-litre; 5-litre/3-litre; and 4.5-litre/3-litre options. All its cisterns also feature delayed fill valves as standard, so fresh water does not start to enter the cistern until the flush valve closes after the cistern has completely emptied.”

If you do not have the budget to replace your old water-guzzling toilet with a new dual-flush model, then Raymond says that you can displace space in your existing toilet’s cistern, so that it uses less water to fill up.

“When you have less water in your tank, you have less to refill every time you flush. You can reduce the capacity of your cistern by simply placing a solid item in it. When selecting the item, be sure to choose one that won’t float, degrade or corrode – for example, a brick or a plastic bottle filled with water or sand.”

Other ways to cut down on wasted water in your toilet include only flushing when necessary, and never flushing things down the toilet to dispose of them, such as wet wipes, paper towels, serviettes, cat litter and pencil sharpening. Not only can these items block your pipes, but they will also require a lot of water to flush them away.

YOU ENJOY

ALL THE

FOLLOWING

FOR ONLY

R74-R129

PER MONTH

We help you to...� register for UIF� take care of arrears payments� have a contract of employment� keep a time sheet for time worked� prepare a payslip� maintain leave records� offer optional benefits such as - funeral fund

- primary health care- accident and disability cover

Subscribers enjoy LEGAL COVER* covering your costs for:� disciplinary enquiries� CCMA referrals, including conciliations and arbitrations. *Terms and conditions apply as per website

Visit us at www.edomestix.co.za

Let us call you today!SMS YOUR NAME + DOMESTIC HELP to 071 147 1213

Are you legally compliantregarding your domestic worker?

Enjoy a professional domestic worker support service,while your domestic worker receives job security, affordableemployee benefits and self-improvement opportunities.

HOW TO CREATETHE ULTIMATEHOME THEATRE

It’s time to stock up on your microwave popcorn, because movie night season is about to begin. Now is the perfect time to get around to that home theatre conversion before the cold and wet days set in.

HOME

It’s time to stock up on your microwave popcorn, because movie night season is about to begin. Now is the perfect time to get around to that home theatre conversion before the

cold and wet days set in.

Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says home theatres are a great value-add on any property, especially if you are in the luxury housing band. He says buyers in this market are usually very tech-savvy and want a home that reflects their high-end lifestyle.

The recipe for creating a home cinema includes just five ingredients: sound, screen, seating, shading and snacks. Get the mix of these ingredients correct and you are well on your

way to cinematic bliss.

Goslett shares some tips…

1. SOUND

The difference between a living room and a home cinema is this: surround sound. There are various ways one can achieve a surround sound

effect.

A sound bar requires three walls in order to create that immersive sound experience, but will not create the same effect in an open plan room. Wall-mounted speakers work well for these types of rooms. The placement of the sub-

woofer is also important.

Most people falsely believe that these should face them to best project the sound. In reality, the sound reverberates better off a solid brick wall than if it were directed into an open space.

1. SOUND

The biggest mistake people make is choosing a screen based on size. While projectors certainly give the room that cinematic look and feel, the image quality usually cannot compare to high-definition

televisions.

The deep contrast of Plasma televisions creates the best image quality in dark rooms, whereas the brightness of LED LCD screens is best suited for

day-time series binging.

1. SCREEN

Recreating that dark cinema atmosphere is one of those final touches one needs to make in creating an ultimate home theatre. This can be tricky to achieve if you have chosen an open-plan space for your theatre, but block-out blinds can be helpful in this

regard.

1. SEATING

4. SNACKS

Snacks are the final touch that complete the sensory experience of the cinema. For that cinematic smell, add a popcorn machine. Homeowners can install a bar-fridge in the room so that they don’t need to walk too far for refreshments mid-way through a movie.

Creating a home theatre can be an expensive exercise, but the result could end up increasing the value of your home. If you have the space and the finances to make it happen, then there really is

no reason why you shouldn’t.Reference Article

8 Amazing Benefits Of

Indoor PlantsIndoor PlantsFreshening up your interior décor and air supply needn’t cost a fortune. Indoor plants come in a range of sizes, styles and prices, and what’s more, they’re full of surprising benefits too.

GARDEN

Reference Article

1. The Ultimate Air FreshenersWith all the chemical-based detergents, cleaners and fragrances we use, the indoor air quality in our homes is often less than ideal.

According to studies by NASA, certain houseplants act as effective air filters, sifting out as much as 87% of indoor pollutants within just 24 hours.

3. Mood Enhancers

They simply add a freshness and tranquillity to our inner space that inanimate objects just can’t rival – no matter how beautiful they may be.

Adding an austerity to any room, the variegated snake plant should be situated in partial shade.

In fact, studies have shown that patients who face a garden view in their hospital

rooms often recover quicker than those facing a wall.

3. Green Is The New BlackWhen it comes to savvy décor, almost any interior designer will tell you that plants can drastically change the overall feeling of the room. They’re also amazing at hiding awkward corners and bare walls.

4. Health BoostersIndoor plants have been shown to reduce cold-related illnesses by more than 30%. This is due to their ability to increase humidity levels and decrease dust.

5. Natural Humidifiers

Instead of buying a humidifier machine to soften the air,

simply bring in a plant or two.

6. Sleep AidesHaving a plant such as jasmine in your bedroom can actually

increase your quality of sleep. This plant was specifically studied by a Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, at Wheeling Jesuit University where he and his colleagues studied the results of 20 people’s sleeping patterns when exposed to jasmine and lavender, and then when they were exposed to no plants at all.

To flourish, cornstalk dracaena requires partial shade and weekly watering to keep it happy.

After three nights of observation, they were able to conclude that those who were exposed to jasmine slept more deeply and effectively.

7. Fuels Your FocusStudies from the Royal College of Agriculture in Cirencester, have shown that students who study in a room with plants tend to be more focused, with improved memory compared to those who have no plants.

8. Economic AlliesYou don’t need a large amount of plants to benefit from their purifying qualities either. One large plant or several smaller ones can be used for a spacious living area, while a small potted plant in the bedrooms and bathrooms will do the trick too.

Next month we celebrate Mother’s Day What has Motherhood taught you? Send us your answer and we could be sending you fine red wine. email info@lifestylemediagroup.co.za

Dear Mom’s

This Newsletter Is Published And Read By Residents And Members In The Following Estates:

If you have something interesting to share with readers then send your stories and pictures to info@lifestylemediagroup.co.za

Candlewoods Country EstateCerise Estate

Cornwall Hill EstateEldoglen Estate

Grootfontein EstateIrene Farm Villages

Irene Glen EstateRaslouw Manor Estate

Rietvlei View EstateSummerfields EstateSouthdowns Estate

Wierda Glen

Take Your Lifestyle Products and Services to Exclusive Residential Estates,

Complexes and Golf Clubs.

Advertise in the next publication.Contact Nadine

072 386 3514 / nadine@lifestylemediagroup.co.za