All new buildings and all extensions to existing buildings in South Africa must conform to the new regulations on energy conservation as from 9 Nov.
Hands says in terms of water heating sources, the minimum requirements in future will be that 50 percent (by volume) of hot water in a building must be heated from a source other than electrical resistance heating (geysers) and alternatives including, without limitation, solar heating, heat pumps, appliances burning renewable combustible fuel, or heat recovery from other sources.
Whether the promulgation of the new energy conservation measures for new and altered buildings was timed to coincide with the impending COP 17 conference on climate change in Durban is open to debate, says Michael Hands, a consultant in the commercial department at Garlicke & Bousfield Inc.
He explains that with effect from November 9, all new buildings and all extensions to existing buildings must conform to the new regulations recently published, especially the new regulation XA.
“The provisions of this regulation are far-reaching and will change the face of the architectural and engineering industries and cause major adjustments to conventional construction norms.”
All new building work will need to be designed in such as way that they use energy efficiently. They also need to fulfil the needs of the occupants in relation to lifts, escalators, thermal comfort, lighting and hot water.
Alternatively, such buildings must have a building envelope and services which will facilitate the efficient use of energy appropriate to their function and use, internal environment and geographical(sic) location, he says.
Hands says in terms of water heating sources, the minimum requirements in future will be that 50 percent (by volume) of hot water in a building must be heated from a source other than electrical resistance heating (geysers) and alternatives including, without limitation, solar heating, heat pumps, appliances burning renewable combustible fuel, or heat recovery from other sources.
These requirements will be deemed to be satisfied if a building complies with SANS 10400 Part XA in relation to its orientation, shading, services and building envelope or is consistent with a national design which produces equivalent or superior performance in comparison with SANS 10400.
Certified thermal calculation software will be used to perform the relevant calculations.
He says many buildings in South Africa comply with some of these requirements.
However, in future we shall probably see an increasing number of buildings oriented with their longer axis running east/west and with the major habitable rooms and offices facing north to
maximise the benefits of solar heat during winter months, while bathrooms and kitchens are likely to be south-facing.
“While this may reduce electricity consumption during the cold months, it will also lead to an increase in demand for air-conditioning in the summer months.”
It remains to be seen whether the savings in electricity bills will offset the capital costs of the new installations or whether in our quest for a cleaner, healthier planet, the cost of living will be forced upwards, he adds.
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