Three residences currently under construction at Rhodes University will be the first to go green. The new houses will have an alternative water system installed in an initiative undertaken by the university to become more environmentally friendly.
Three residences currently under construction at Rhodes University will be the first to go green. The new houses will have an alternative water system installed in an initiative undertaken by the university to become more environmentally friendly.
“Instead of the boilers which current residences are using, these new ones will have heat pumps,” said the director of the Residential Operations Division, Dr Iain L’Ange.
Drawing from the technology of air conditioners, the heat pumps use hot air to heat water. “In the long run
this would result in a saving of up to 80% for the university,” said L’Ange.
The heat pumps were the second option in the plan to go green. “We also looked at solar paneling, but with further analysis we found that the heat pumps would deliver a better result.
The topography of the land was not suitable for solar panelling.” The costs of the air conditioning technology had to be considered as well. “Green technology costs are very expensive.
The Green Fund was established to deal with projects such as this one.” This organisation was proposed by the environmental science student projects to support initiatives that could contribute to Rhodes University reducing its carbon emissions and becoming a more environment-friendly institution.
Although it is still new, the Green Fund is a fundraising initiative which will help implement green initiatives across campus.
In addition to the heat pumps, 5 000 litre rainwater tanks will become standard at all residences as a watersaving tactic. There will also be a change in the landscaping.
“The plan is to make the vegetation far more indigenous so that we stay away from water-hungry plants; just to keep a lawn green means an enormous amount of water is consumed.” Existing residences will also become more environmentally friendly according to L’Ange.
“As the boilers of the old houses age, we will replace them with the heat pumps. We are still experimenting with these new residences.” “Going green is a must,” said L’Ange.
“We need to be more aware of our landscaping, it’s beautiful to have these plants, but we need to save water, especially in light of the water crisis in Grahamstown.” Construction is expected to be complete by December this year.
