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Make your building smarter

<div class="ExternalClassB229E578EE5744DFA3F1A94E6ACC9032"><p>Driving energy, water and waste efficiency at home and in the office not only makes long-term financial sense, but also helps the City manage our limited resources, such as water, energy and space at landfill sites. </p><p>Below you will find helpful energy-saving tips that you can use at home and at the office or workplace. Make sure you check out our handy <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Greener-business/Saving-water-in-the-workplace">water</a> and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Greener-business/Commercial-recycling">waste</a> saving tips too. <br></p></div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">About<br></h2><p>The operation of residential and commercial buildings in Cape Town accounts for a significant portion of the overall energy consumption and related carbon emissions across the city. Driving <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/greener-business/saving-electricity-in-the-workplace/energy-usage-regulations-for-buildings">energy efficiency in buildings</a> is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to reduce emissions, with enhanced energy efficiency resulting in reduced utility bills. </p><p> Cape Town is a signatory to <a href="https://www.c40.org/" target="_blank">C40<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, a global network of large cities that are committed to developing and implementing policies to address <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/why-go-green/lets-act-against-climate-change">climate change</a>. </p><p>The City has committed to three significant targets related to energy use in buildings across Cape Town. These are reflected in our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/CCT_Climate_Change_Action_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">Climate Action Plan</a> and <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/Energy_Strategy.pdf" target="_blank">Energy Strategy</a>.<br></p><h4>By 2030:</h4><ul><li>All new buildings city-wide are net zero carbon in operation by 2030 </li><li>All municipal buildings are net zero carbon in operation by 2030</li></ul><h4>By 2050:</h4><ul><li>All existing buildings to be net zero carbon in operation by 2050.</li></ul><p>Achieving this ambitious goal will require a fundamental shift in how buildings are designed, constructed, managed and operated. </p><p>Find out more about the City’s commitments in the Creating Net Zero Carbon Buildings video. <br></p><div class="responsive-media"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9N9AdSpT-Mw" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div> <br> <p>These commitments have also significantly driven the uptake of renewable energy projects and initiatives, resulting in:</p><ul><li>several municipal assets with rooftop solar; </li><li>the development of City-owned renewable power plants; and </li><li>the potential procurement of renewable energy from <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/greener-business/cape-towns-green-future/independent-power-producers">independent power producers</a>. </li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>did you know?<br></h4><p> In addition to the City’s net zero commitments, we have a strong and long history of <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/environmental-resource-management/energy-efficiency-in-city-buildings-project">driving energy efficiency in our own buildings and operations</a>. <br></p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Net zero carbon buildings<br></h2><h4>What is a net zero carbon building? </h4><p>A net zero carbon building refers to a building where the amount of carbon emissions associated with the building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative. It is highly energy efficient and powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources, with any remaining carbon balance offset.</p><h4>Pathway to net zero carbon buildings </h4><p>To reduce a building’s carbon emissions intensity to net zero, you need to:</p><ul><li> <strong>Reduce</strong> building energy demand for <strong>heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting </strong>through passive heating, ventilation, cooling design and improved building envelope and daylighting performance techniques; </li><li> <strong>Reduce</strong> total building energy demand and operational building use energy demand through the <strong>installation of high efficiency mechanical, lighting and power systems</strong>, and energy efficient appliances; and </li><li> <strong>Supply</strong> remaining building energy needs from an on-site <strong>renewable energy source, </strong>to the extent possible and then off-site where necessary. </li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p> Visit our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/solarpv">Going Solar page</a> to find out more about renewable energy options. <br></p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Energy efficiency regulations for building and development</h2><p>All new buildings, and extensions to existing buildings, need to comply with the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/greener-business/saving-electricity-in-the-workplace/energy-usage-regulations-for-buildings">national energy efficiency regulations</a>, as set out in the South African National Standard (SANS) 10400-XA 2021 (Ed.2). </p><p>Our Energy Efficiency at Home Booklet is a non-technical guide to the SANS 10400-XA requirements for homeowners and built environment professionals. This document simplifies and explains SANS 10400–XA on energy usage in buildings, and forms part of our efforts to support energy efficiency across the city.</p> <span> <div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg"> <figure><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Energy%20Efficient%20Buildings%20-%202.png" alt="placeholder" class="responsive" /></figure><figcaption> <p> <span class="infoGraphicSpan"> <strong>ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT HOME BOOKLET</strong></span><br><br>Download the booklet for detailed guidelines to help you understand the requirements set out in SANS 10400-XA. </p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/XA_Energy_in_Buildings.pdf" title="title" class="btn dark-blue" target="_blank"> <i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a> </figcaption> </div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Resource efficiency in the workplace<br></h2><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/greener-business/saving-electricity-in-the-workplace/make-your-office-smarter">Make your office smarter </a>with our practical tips and resources. </p><h4>Display your energy performance certificate </h4><p> An energy performance certificate indicates the amount of energy used in a building and is used to show the energy efficiency rating of a building based on its operational use, size and energy zone. Buildings of a certain size and occupancy class are required by national regulations to publically display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at the building entrance. </p><p> For more information on EPCs and the implications of the regulations, visit <a href="https://epc.sanedi.org.za/home" target="_blank">SANEDI’s webpage<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Resource efficiency at home<br></h2><p>You can take steps to reduce the amount of energy, water and waste that you use and save money in your household. </p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>My Clean Green Home Virtual Experience<br></h4><p>Explore net zero carbon living with the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Files/mcgh/index.aspx" target="_blank">My Clean Green Home Virtual Experience<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. The virtual tour offers interactive tips on how to incorporate resource efficiency into your own home, an energy calculator to help you assess how energy efficient your household is, and other resources to help you on the journey to becoming net zero carbon. <br></p></div></div></span> <h4>Understand how your home performs </h4><p>To help you assess how efficient and sustainable your home is, the City in partnership with the Western Cape Government and GreenCape, developed the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/CCT_Smart_Home_Disclosure_Checklist.pdf" target="_blank">Smart Home Disclosure Checklist</a>. </p><p>The checklist aims to encourage homeowners to invest in sustainable home improvements that lower energy and water needs and reduce carbon emissions while improving thermal comfort, safety and health for the occupants. It also empowers prospective buyers to make informed decisions about their home regarding the ongoing operational costs, liveability and comfort levels, as well as the impact the home has on the environment. <br></p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Building Centre Exhibition</h4><p> Are you thinking of renovating your home? Visit our Smart Living exhibit at the <a href="https://www.thebuildingcentre.co.za/" target="_blank">Building Centre Exhibition<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> for ideas to help you make your home more resource efficient. <br></p></div></div></span> <h4>Develop smart energy habits and save</h4><p>By developing smart energy habits in your household, you can save on your electricity bill, help safeguard the environment and ensure energy security for the future. With rising energy costs and electricity shortages, it is important to ensure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible. </p><p>Use our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Smart_Living_Audit_Guide_for_Your_Home.pdf" target="_blank">Smart Living Audit Guide</a> to find out where most of the energy in your home is being used. The guide comes with some questions for you to answer, which will help you compile an action plan for the changes and savings that you can make.</p><p>For more information on other energy-saving practices, refer to the useful links below: <br></p><ul><li>Visit our <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/SavingElectricity">Saving electricity</a> page for tips on how to save energy in your home. </li> <li>Our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/why-go-green/smart-living">Smart Living</a> resources will help you make smarter choices for a safer, more affordable home, while also reducing the impact your home has on the environment.<br></li></ul>

The benefits of greening our new buildings, plus top tips for making our new buildings more energy efficient.