ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) is a document that specifies the energy performance requirements for all commercial buildings that are going to be constructed in India and is mandated by EC Act, 2001. ECBC was launched by Ministry of Power, Government of India in May 2007 developed by an Expert Committee, set up by India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), as a first step towards promoting energy efficiency in the building sector.
The Objective of ECBC is to provide minimum requirements for Energy Efficient Design and Construction of Buildings and their systems. ECBC sets minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings having a connected load of 100kW or contract demand of 120 KVA and above or recommended for all buildings with conditioned area greater than 500m2 and above (it may be changed in every state according to the state’s requirement). The applicability of ECBC applies to Building Envelope, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning) Systems, SHWP (Service Hot Water & Pumping), Lighting systems and Electrical Power.
As buildings are increasing day by day; majorly commercial buildings as malls, hospitals, hotels, institutions which contribute to more energy consumption where the focus and attention needs to be provided. The major contribution to the buildings in different areas of energy consumption where HVAC contributes around 40%, Building Envelope contributes around 15%, Lighting contributes around 26%, Service Hot Water and Pumping contributes around 5%, Electrical power contributes around 14%, where attention needs to be provided. As per ECO3, approx. 3 million sq. ft. commercial space building every day (i.e. ~ 1 billion sq. ft. per year). Estimates based on simulation models indicate ECBC compliant buildings can use 40 – 60% less energy than conventional buildings. It has been estimated that the implementation of ECBC for commercial buildings with connected load above 100kW, will lead to energy savings to the tune 65 Million units which can supply electricity to 40,000 rural families for a year at current rate of commercial growth in cities.
The major focus is to make climate responsive buildings, energy efficient buildings which consume very less energy as compared to conventional buildings which should be ECBC Compliant Buildings. The significance of ECBC is to regulate better building thermal performance, contribute to serious environmental and economic problems because of excessive consumption of energy and other natural resources and energy use according to climate change, encourages use of daylighting, shading, natural ventilation, solar energy etc., and it majorly focuses on energy performance of buildings rather than green building design. The impact of ECBC Compliance will bring energy efficiency in building sector, market development for EE products, improved design practices, improved building performance, lesser addition of power generation capacity, lower HVAC loads, reduced energy consumption and costs.
In this regard, Govt. of India and various state governments took effective steps in favor to make Energy Efficient buildings in India. For now, 10 states have been notified the ECBC as mandatory requirement in designing and construction of buildings which brings energy efficiency in the commercial sector. In most of states, ECBC Cells (consists Engineers & Architects) have been established for proper implementation of ECBC in the states. ECBC Cells coordinate with various stakeholder departments to make aware of ECBC, use of ECBC and impart knowledge and sensitize for effective implementation of ECBC in the state. ECBC Cell helps stakeholder departments to modify their bye-laws as per provisions of ECBC, inclusion of energy efficient building materials/products in Common Schedule of Rates (CSR), modification in approval of building plans sanctioning with the provisions of ECBC, supports to prepare brief documentation for their reference, and conducting regular Interactive sessions and Capacity Building Programmes for providing detailed overview on the Implementation of ECBC in their states.
Author: Money Khanna, Manager in Design2Occupancy Services LLP