INSULATION
Missing the true value of
Des Schnetler
Despite rising electricity costs, persistent load shedding, and increasingly extreme weather conditions, many South Africans continue to underestimate the importance of proper building insulation. Even more concerning is the widespread failure to comply with national energy-efficiency regulations, which are intended to reduce energy demand, protect consumers, and improve building performance.
For many homeowners and developers, insulation is still viewed as an optional add-on rather than a fundamental part of a building. This mindset has resulted in countless homes and commercial buildings that are uncomfortable to occupy and expensive to operate. In winter, heat escapes rapidly; in summer, indoor spaces overheat. The result is an increased reliance on heaters, air conditioners, and fans. This places unnecessary strain on both household budgets and the national electricity grid.
The reality gap
South Africa does not lack regulation. Energy-efficiency requirements, including those related to insulation, are clearly set out in national building regulations and standards. These provisions aim to ensure that new buildings and major alterations meet minimum thermal performance criteria. However, compliance and enforcement remain inconsistent. Insulation is often incorrectly specified, poorly installed, or omitted entirely, while documentation suggests compliance on paper.
This gap between regulation and reality has consequences. Poorly insulated buildings lock in higher energy consumption for decades, undermining national energyefficiency targets and increasing pressure on an already constrained power system. At a time when energy security is a national priority, failing to prioritise insulation represents a missed opportunity.
The benefits of insulation extend beyond energy savings. Proper insulation improves indoor comfort, reduces noise, helps manage moisture, and can enhance fire performance when compliant products are used. It also offers one of the most cost-effective returns on investment in the built environment, delivering immediate and ongoing savings throughout a building ' s life.
The real motivator
Addressing this issue requires a shift in mindset. Insulation should be seen not as a regulatory burden, but as a basic requirement for safe, comfortable, and affordable buildings. Greater awareness, better enforcement, and accountability across the construction value chain are essential.
South Africa can no longer afford to overlook the value of insulation. In a country facing energy challenges and rising living costs, building efficiently is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
Des Schnetler is Executive Director at the Thermal Insulation Products & Systems Association of South Africa( TIPSASA)
Contact the writer at TIPSASA T: 0861 000 334 / 012 663 1480 or W: www. tipsasa. co. za
New buildings and major alterations must meet minimum thermal performance criteria.
68 autumn 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za