- Building owners in South Africa have until 7 December 2025 to comply with new building energy performance regulations, which require a formal assessment of their building energy consumption.
- On 8 December 2020, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) gazetted ‘Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings’.
- As an agency of the Department, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has been tasked with developing, hosting and maintaining a national Building Energy Performance Certificate Register in terms of these regulations.
Certain classes of buildings need to have their energy performance assessed by a South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) accredited inspection body, who will then issue an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), rating the building from A – G for energy efficiency.
To be compliant, the EPC must be displayed at the building entrance, and a D-rating would typically indicate basic compliance with the Energy Efficiency component of the national building regulations. This first assessment will form the benchmark for the building and give the owner an idea of what needs to be done to improve the rating in the future. An ‘A’ rating is the one to strive for.
EPCs need to be renewed every five years, giving building owners the opportunity to improve their energy performance.
Related news: Building energy performance reporting is now mandatory in South Africa
The current regulations apply to four different classes of buildings defined in the national Building Standard namely; entertainment and public assembly facilities, theatrical and indoor sports facilities, places of instruction and offices with a net floor area of at least 2000 m2 in the private sector, and 1000 m2 for buildings owned, operated or occupied by an organ of the state. These building must be compliant by 7 December 2025.
If you need an Energy Performance Certificate for your building contact:
Songo Didiza at the Green Building Design Group – mobile 0791377931 or email: songo@greenbdg.co.za
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
