A standard low-income home – based on the design of the CSIR’s low-income demonstration unit – was built on the CSIR Built Environment Innovation Site by BASF using an Agrément*-certified building technology. The technology uses insulated panels made from Neopor, a high-tech material for efficient thermal insulation, and covered with a high-strength cement plaster. The building was further enhanced by the installation of insulation under the roof sheets and under the concrete floor slab, as well as the installation of double-glazed windows.

“The BASF project is of particular interest to us because it represents one of the most highly-insulated houses that one could reasonably build in South Africa,” comments CSIR project leader Llewellyn van Wyk. “The results of this research will demonstrate what thermal performance the extent of insulation delivers in our local conditions and provide a best-case scenario for energy efficiency in the residential sector. It will thereby enable validated figures to be used, for example, in any future updating of SANS 10400 Part XA: Energy Efficiency in Buildings,” Van Wyk explains.

The Neopor passive insulation helps to lower heating and cooling loads. “This technology is an example of functionality and energy efficiency complementing each other,” says Dr Dieter Kovar, MD of BASF Holdings SA. “The project will demonstrate how to accomplish greater energy efficiency and how to reduce energy costs, thus promoting climate mitigation,” Kovar notes.

“The CSIR is taking real-life measurements inside the house, with each room having a number of sensors that are connected to data loggers. Readings are taken every 30 minutes and we’ll continue to do so for a year,” says Van Wyk. The full range of external measurements, including rain, temperature and humidity, is also taken from a mini, localised ‘weather station’ that has been placed in an appropriate spot at the CSIR.

“These constant measurements are also logged to create an actual weather file that we’ll use in the software simulation. A life-cycle analysis will be performed on the house, and an energy simulation run, which will enable us to determine the benefits of the technologies and associated costs,” he explains.

The current CSIR and BASF MoU specifies cooperation in technical or other innovations within the broader construction, construction materials, building and infrastructure, power and related industries. A main focus is also green building technologies within the South African construction sector. BASF is a world-leading chemical company that has been operating in South Africa for more than 45 years, acting as a regional hub to sub-Saharan Africa.

* Agrément, which is managed by CSIR Built Environment, is the national technical assessment agency that certifies innovative and non-standard construction products and processes.