Comparative Study of Energy Conservation Guidelines for Residential Sector with Particular Focus on Affordable Housing

The residential building sector is one of the largest consumers of electricity in India. Continuous urbanisation and the growth of population have resulted in increasing power consumption in buildings. While experts express the huge potential for energy conservation in this sector, the belief still predominates among stakeholders that energy-efficient buildings are more expensive than conventional buildings, which adversely affects the “greening” of the building sector. Therefore, the study was to address the energy and environment concerns for our cities with the applications of present green building practices.

The implementation of energy conservation measures in the residential sector could help to reduce energy consumption and thus develop a sustainable economy. The aim of research study was to explore possibilities to combine the ongoing programme with the concept of affordable housing; evaluation and adjustment of the maximum energy efficiency target.

The Govt. of India has initiated several programs focusing on energy conservation in buildings such as:

The Energy Conservation Act (2001)

Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2007

The rating systems/ tools, in practise in India are-

• GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment)

• IGBC (Indian Green Building Council)/ LEED

• BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) star rating for building

• EDGE tool by the World Bank

Some of other popular international rating systems are:

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

• BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) by UK

It has been found that the rating systems in India are applicable to individual and multi-dwelling residential units but require an initial investment which is difficult for EWS/LIG sections of the society. The criterion related to the term ‘affordability’ doesn’t fit with the present rating systems in case of green residential units.

There is need to focus more on alternative materials, passive design part and innovation in construction technology in the context of the affordability with sustainable solutions.

Therefore, it is essential to develop specific guidelines for energy efficiency and sustainable features that fit within the budget of affordable housing, could lower the energy cost burden along with health improvement, and incorporate them in the relevant national codes.