FEATURES 15
SA is moving quickly towards heat pumps
By
Rory Macnamara with technical input by Kwikot, Power4Less and Stiebel Eltron
Recently I attended the Installer Show in Birmingham UK, where heat pumps now dominate the UK market – without a doubt, heat pumps will soon do so in South Africa as well.
Kwikot, Stiebel Eltron and Power4Less agreed that South Africans are under tremendous pressure to save energy, be more efficient, and be environmentally conscious. They can contribute to reducing a high percentage of electricity – from 60 %– 80 % depending on the application.
For plumbers, it is critical to focus on the compulsory specification SANS 1352:2023, ' The installation, maintenance, replacement and repair of domestic air source water heating pump systems ', which is under the National Building Regulations SANS 10400. In SANS 1352, it is critical to refer to the normative references – which are indispensable – as it shows the importance of where heat pumps fit and affect.
Power4Less emphasises the electricity saving and adds,“ This approach aligns with the national efforts for energy efficiency and carbon reduction, making heat pumps relevant for residential, commercial and industrial use.”
Every professional and plumber can obtain copies of these standards at https:// store. sabs. co. za /.
Supplied by IHP
For plumbers, it is critical to install heat pumps compliantly and safely based on the mandatory installation standard SANS 1352:2023: ' The installation, maintenance, replacement and repair of domestic air source water heating pump systems ' including all other normative standards mentioned in this standard.
The big beast standard SANS 10400-XA: Energy usage in buildings requires alternative energy for new buildings or portion of addition or alteration( or both) to an existing building( excluding garage, storage, and other defined areas) of occupancy classified in terms of Regulation A20 as A1, A2. A3, A4, C1, C2, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, F2, F3, G1, H1, H2, H3, H4 AND H5. This will account for some of the surge of these the heat pumps. As Murray Crow of Kwikot so simply puts,“ it’ s a mix of necessity, regulation and a growing awareness of sustainability that makes heat pumps one of the fastest growing solutions in our market.”
XA2: At least 50 %( volume fraction) of the annual average hot water heating requirement shall be provided by means other than electrical-resistance heating, including but not limited to solar heating, heat pumps, heat recovery from other systems or processes, and renewable combustible fuel.
Failure to be qualified simply means that one cannot install heat pumps – and attempting to do so is an illegal act.
November 2025 Volume 31 I Number 09 www. plumbingafrica. co. za