Pretoria

The fundamental objective of this thesis is to determine whether the requirements for thermal comfort in housing in South Atiica will provide for the necessary levels of energy efficiency. The effectiveness of various thermal design measures in achieving improvements in energy efficiency is evaluated. These measures are developed into a proposed energy efficiency standard. An estimate is made of the reduction in greenhouse gases which might result from the implementation of such a standard. This may constitute a project which might be accredited and traded in terms of United Nations protocols. Electrical energy consumption in South Africa continues to grow at a rate which may necessitate that new generating capacity is on stream by 2007. It is shown that improvements in the energy efficiency of upper income houses will reduce the demand for electricity during peak hours. It is proposed that the progression of shack dwelling families to energy efficient formal housing, in conjunction with an appliance switch to more fuel efficient energy sources, will generate reductions in non-renewable coal and wood based fuel burning. As a result less localized air pollution will probably occur