Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC)
|
||||||||||||||||||
The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), launched on 28 June 2007, is a document that specifies the energy performance requirements for all commercial buildings that are to be constructed in India. The code is mandatory for commercial buildings or building complexes that have a connected load of 500 kW or greater or a contract demand of 600 KVA or greater. The code is also applicable to all buildings with a conditioned floor area of 1,000 m2 (10,000 ft2) or greater. The ECBC has been developed by India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and is mandated by the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, passed by the Indian Parliament in September 2001. ECBC is a set minimum energy efficiency standards for design and construction. ECBC encourage energy efficient design or retrofit of buildings so that it does not constrain the building function, comfort, health, or the productivity of the occupants and also have appropriate regard for economic considerations (life cycle costs i.e. construction + energy costs are minimized). BEE would take suitable steps to prescribe guidelines for energy conservation building codes. Central Government can prescribe energy conservation building codes, and direct owners/occupiers to comply with them. State Government can modify the code in response to local climate conditions. ECBC provides a platform for the Broad stakeholders such as Building Industry, manufactures, professionals, Government Agencies etc to participate. ECBC addresses local design conditions and construction practices. It also emphasis on maximizing building envelope benefits – to encourage better designs. ECBC defines the norms of energy requirement per sq. metre of area and takes into consideration the climatic region of the country, where the building is located. Norms have been developed to cater to 5 different climatic zones in India such as composite, hot and dry, warm and humid, moderate and cold. The ECBC provides design norms for:
The code provides three options for compliance:
Simulation exercises indicate that ECBC-compliant buildings use 40 to 60% less energy than similar baseline buildings. ECBC development Process
ECBC Scope
ECBC Compliance Approaches
2. System-based (trade-off)
3. Whole building design analysis (performance)
Building Envelope Design
Impact of Energy Codes 1. Market Development for EE products
2. Improved Design Practices
3. Lower Energy Use and Reduced Electricity Bills |
||||||||||||||||||
Read Comments (1)
Post Comments ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||

Glass Academy Board Member
& Facade Specialist, BES Consultants

Senior Counsellor – CII GBC

Chairman – Glazing Society of India

IGBC accredited Professional & GRIHA Trainer

Founder – Director, EN3 LEED Professional

Principle Counsellor - IGBC LEED accredited Professional
Become a Member of India's Leading Glass Portal - Join Now!
Newsletter Sign-up
Subscribe to get updates on glass, architecture,green movement, design trends in glass, events for students