Skip to main content
Isover logo
  • About Us
  • Solutions
    • Residential Insulation
    • Non-Residential Insulation
    • Solutions
      • Reference Projects
      • Insulation Properties
        • Thermals
        • Acoustic
        • Fire
    • Technical Insulation
  • Products
    • Product Range
      • Glasswool
      • Ultimate
      • EPS
    • Calculation Tools
  • Home Owner
    • About Insulation
      • Insulating your home
      • How insulation works
    • Aerolite Ceiling Insulation
    • Geyser Insulation
    • Aerolite Approved Installers
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Energy Efficiency Legislation
      • Energy Efficiency in New Buildings
      • Voluntary standard for new buildings
    • Sustainable construction
      • Life cycle analysis & Environmental Product Declarations
    • Climate change and environmental protection
  • Documents
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • SA Covid-19
  1. Home
  2. Energy Efficiency
  3. Energy Efficiency Legislation
  4. Energy Efficiency in New Buildings

Energy Efficiency in New Buildings

The energy efficiency legislation for new buildings SANS 10400-XA has been published by the regulator (NRCS).
 

All new buildings will have to comply with the performance parameters, which means that insulation will have to be installed to achieve the stipulated R-values.

 

Compliance is achieved by meeting deemed to satisfy performance criteria, rational design, compliance tables or comparison with a theoretical reference building.

Climatic zones

 
South Africa has been divided into six climatic zones according to their humidity and temperature variations. Each climatic zone has different R-value requirements for certain walls and ceilings. The appropriate thickness and R-value of insulation for your climatic zone, correctly installed, will protect your home against the cold, heat and save electricity providing a comfortable, healthy, safe and quiet space for you and your family. 
 

Building Envelope requirements


All new buildings will have to comply with the performance parameters laid out which means that insulation will have to be installed to achieve the stipulated R-values.
 
  • Orientation 
  • Shading
  • Floors
  • Fenestration
  • External Walls
  • Roof and Ceiling
 

Roof and Ceiling system requirements


The roof system must achieve the R value specified in the table below dependent on the climatic zone in which you are situated.
 
Table

 


Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning

 
  • Air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems (or both) installed in buildings shall comply with the relevant national legislation
 

Hot water supply requirements, Geysers


A minimum of 50% of the annual average heating requirement for hot water must be provided by means other than electric resistance heating (Geyser) or fossil fuels
 
  • 50% of heating requirement must be from a source other than electrical
  • All hot water pipes must be insulated with a minimum R value of 1

All material has an R-value which is the ability of a product to resist the transfer of heat. Thermal insulation provides a high resistance to the flow of heat from the warm surface to the cold surface in your home, helping you maintain a comfortable living environment, keeping your house cool in summer and warm in winter.

Climatic zones of South Africa

map side bar 1
map side bar 1

Thermal image of an insulated ceiling

thermo side bar 2
thermo side bar 2

Geyser and Pipe Insulation

Geyser and Pipe Insulation
Geyser and Pipe Insulation
Energy Efficiency Booklet
Download
  • © 2021
  • Sitemap
  • Saint-Gobain
  • Isover
  • Legals
  • Contact
Saint Gobain Logo
Back to Top