An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in Terms of Real-World Savings

Abstract

In South Africa, the EDGE certification for green residential buildings, managed by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), is still developing. The study set out to examine the impact of EDGE-certification on electricity savings of residential buildings and how these savings can be converted into financial benefits. Quantitative research was the overarching research methodology, where a single case study approach was conducted using descriptive statistics. The single case study is situated in Gauteng, South Africa, and consisted of 503 EDGE-certified residential units. The research concluded that EDGE-certified residential units in Gauteng generate electricity savings, which when converted into monetary values can be transformed into real-world savings using different investment vehicles. In this study, real-world savings is defined as the tangible and measurable financial benefits realised from efficiencies associated with green buildings. The study found that such investments, including the use of the hypothetical EDGE Alternative Investment Fund (EAI Fund), result in real-world savings, demonstrating the financial benefits of EDGE certification for owner occupiers in the South African property market.