Energy efficient design and sustainable buildings

The use of energy in buildings and infrastructure has increased many folds suggesting that alternate means must be devised to conserve energy and operate the buildings with sustainable means. For the buildings, energy efficiency can be achieved using the insulation materials, improved architectural technique, and modified construction methodology. Energy demand to operate buildings must be reduced to develop energy efficient and sustainable buildings for the future, without compromising the living comfort, performance, and services. The architecture, design, and orientation of building are altered to introduce energy efficient and sustainable design in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings. Observations and experiments were carried out on four existing buildings and a model was studied and compared based on orientation, construction materials used, type of construction, and architectural techniques. The results show that, using Alpolic Cladding and double layered windows at outer face of buildings gives 8% more thermal efficiency than the ordinary construction. The cavity wall construction enhances the energy conservation of the building by 6% as compared to traditional construction of block masonry. The model studies show that using cavity wall and Structural Concrete Insulated Panel (SCIP) as cladding/infill walls in frame structures can reduce the energy demand of the building upto 3%. Building orientation, architecture, use of latest energy efficient materials, and enhanced construction techniques contribute significantly towards energy efficient performance of buildings.