Members of the public and interested parties have been invited to comment on new energy efficiency building regulations, published in the Government Gazette last week.
The regulations are applicable to all new "residential and commercial buildings, places of learning and worship, certain medical clinics and other categories of buildings", the department of trade and industry said in a statement on Monday.
"[The regulations] will make it compulsory for all new buildings to be designed and constructed to a standard that will make it possible for the user to minimise the energy required to meet the functional requirements," it said.
The department said different elements of the building "envelope", such as roofs and ceilings, walls and windows, would have to meet minimum requirements for preventing heat loss in winter, or heat gain in summer, to meet energy efficient targets.
"All buildings will also have to be fitted with renewable energy water heating systems, such as solar water heating systems. Solar water heating systems will also have to comply with South African National Standards.
"The regulations require that buildings, heaters, air-conditions and mechanical ventilation systems will have to be energy efficient," it said.
The department said comments should be submitted by August 11.
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