Energy Conservation Building Code (Part 2)

Dr. Sonal Desai

29th Dec 2021

_{As discussed in the blog posted on 2nd December 2021 on Ergo E-Learning Platform, The Government of India brought ECBC in 2007 to make new buildings and expand the existing buildings under ECA 2001. The motive of ECBC is to make the Indian Domestic and commercial buildings energy efficient. Implementation of ECBC can reduce 40 to 60 % of energy, which is approximately 1.7 Billion kWh, from residential and commercial buildings. Eco- Niwas Samhita is part of this initiative.} 

_{ECBC revisions targets to achieve the following major goals.}

1. To establish long term vision and goal in Indian Building Sectors

^{2. To make sure that all existing buildings are under the purview of this act}

^{3. Develop and promote energy-efficient building design for all climatic zones}

^{4. Identify and implement baseline energy consumption and certify the buildings which meet this requirement through building Energy Audit}

^{5. Establish easy-to-adopt compliance standards.}

_{Close collaboration between architects and engineers.}

Building designers need to restructure their working methodology to understand ECBC requirements and work with an integrated approach between architects and engineers.

Missing Motivation

Need to create awareness among g architects, consultants, and developers to familiarize with ECBC requirements for acceptance and implementation of ECBC in real practice.

Understanding of Building Physics, orientation and Energy Simulation

_{Initiatives are required at the grassroots level at both educational and professional level to enhance the understanding of Building Physics, orientation and Energy Simulation}

_{National and state-level recognition to reward exemplary work}

_{At the moment, ECBC compliance is on voluntary basis, there is no specific motivation for the building owners, building designers, building developers to follow ECBC requirements in the projects. Recognition and awards can help to increase awareness.}

_{Lack of specialized courses and examination bodies}

_{Multi-directional efforts are required to eradicate this constraint. Academic and industrial capacity-building programs are a must to enhance ECBC compliance propagation.}

_{Product testing laboratories}

_{Single source laboratories are required to set up to test all the building materials like construction materials, insulation, glazing, window frames, HVAC equipment, lighting systems. A Centre of excellence may also be set up to meet the requirement.}

_{Equipment and material showcasing}

_{To create awareness among the end-users, exhibitions or national level programs can be helpful.}

_{Continue reading more on the third part.}