The life cycle analysis (LCA) of any activity in the modern economy is what measures its environmental and energy efficiency. LCA refers to a “ birth to grave” analysis of all materials, processes, products and disposal of the products at the end of its use.

The following form part of an LCA:

- Efficient materials
- Efficient processes
- Efficient buildings

Efficient materials have to be sourced in efficent and environmentally friendly ways – and offer similar qualities in their function in a completed structure. Materials that offer insulating qualities, are made from recycled or proven/certified environmentally friendly materials fall in this category.

Efficient processes refer to those activities that involve the intended use of the materials mentioned above. This involves transportation, mechanised construction methods, or lack thereof, period of construction, recycling waste during this process, etc. However, it also involves installation of energy saving devices such as solar and wind power devises.

Efficient buildings. If both efficient materials and construction processes are involved, it provides the stepping stone for an efficient building – ensured by efficient maintenance and running.

Energy efficient and environmentally friendly materials are available in South Africa to planners, designers and developers. The list below include alternative construction systems, solar and wind power. The list also includes industry associations that represent and promote technologies, for example, EPSASA, the Expanded Polystyrene Association of South Africa, who promote the use of EPS in, amongst other, construction as an internationally recognised material for the promotion of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly homes.

 

The benefits of EPS: Expanded polystyrene (EPS), produced by dissolving pentane into a polystyrene base material which is then heated to form EPS beads, is a product used extensively as insulation in the building industry. Whether moulded into blocks, boards or customised shapes, EPS offers a significant ability to sustain a better environment at all stages of its life cycle, from manufacture to disposal.

A growing concern for the environment and, particularly, the increased demand for sustainable building and development, have necessitated the need for accurate and reliable information about the environmental impact of individual building and construction products.
One scientific approach to uncovering this is that of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). This approach investigates the processes involved
in the manufacture, use and disposal of a product or system – from cradle to grave.

According to the National Environment Management Act: “Every person who causes, has caused or may cause significant pollution or
degradation of the environment must take reasonable measures to prevent such pollution or degradation from occurring.” Acting on this, The Expanded Polystyrene Association of Southern Africa (EPSASA) has committed itself to ensuring that the South African building industry has accurate information available in order to make wise specification decisions.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of EPS
(This study was carried out for EUMEPS in 1998 by PRC-Bouwcentrum, Netherlands in accordance with ISO 14040. INTRON B. V. The Quality Assessment Institute for the building industry carried out the external critical expert review. The following environmental impacts and aspects were disregarded in the study: biological depletion potential, terristic ecotoxicity, noise, radiation and heat to water.)

Solar energy. Solar water heaters are an alternative to electric geysers and can reduce water heating costs, which accounted for more than a one-third of the average household’s electricity bill. Depending on the system installed and how it was used, a solar water heater could produce between 50% and 90% of an average household’s heated water requirements and save up to 70% of its water heating electricity costs. Eskom's visionary rebate system offers cash back on the purchase of solar water heaters. Homeowners can get an Eskom rebate of R4 917 on a 300-litre Solahart solar water heater. Link Eskom incentive site: http://www.eskomdsm.co.za/?q=Solar_water_heating_Read_more

Compact Fluorescent Lamps. Traditional incandescent globes (light bulbs) should be replaced by compact fluorescent lights lamps (CFL). These use substantially less electricity and have much longer lives. CFL's only consume 20% of the electricity that an incandescent globe would use. In addition, they also last between 6 and 12 times longer than traditional globes. http://www.eskomdsm.co.za/CFL_Exchange_Background_information