Page 9 - Energy Future - Green Buildings and Sustainable Habitats
P. 9
among other greening architectural to bring in climate-friendly growth. IN INDIA, TRADITIONALLY,
elements. Let us take the example of For achieving this, action will be set in WOODEN WINDOWS WERE
the most common energy consumer the different sectors of construction USED WIDELY. WOOD
in urban buildings—air conditioners. industry. WAS THEN AVAILABLE IN
According to experts from the Centre VARIOUS SHAPES AND
for Science and Environment (CSE), For bringing in energy-efficiency in SIZES. HOWEVER, TODAY
currently the air conditioning area green buildings, various components, WITH ENVIRONMENTAL
constitutes just 3 per cent of the built such as windows, doors, and use of DEGRADATION AND
up area in New Delhi. However, if this materials have to be given serious RAPID DEFORESTATION,
mechanical cooling keeps increasing consideration.These can save high PROPONENTS OF ENERGY-
in an uncontrolled manner, it will be energy costs. For this to happen, the EFFICIENT WINDOWS
threatening the energy security right kind of architecture is needed. BELIEVE THAT WOODEN
in future. WINDOWS SHOULD
Green Windows NOW BE REPLACED
In a growing economy like India, the WITH UNPLASTICIZED
demand for commercial, residential, and In India, traditionally, wooden windows POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
institutional space has increased rapidly, were used widely. Wood was then (UPVC) WINDOWS.
and this in turn, has led to building available in various shapes and sizes. THOUGH ALUMINIUM
high comfort level structures that are However, today with environmental WINDOWS COULD
resource-intensive. Further, demand degradation and rapid deforestation, HAVE BEEN ANOTHER
for residential and commercial space proponents of energy-efficient windows ALTERNATIVE, IT IS NOT
will push carbon emissions to a higher believe that wooden windows should CONSIDERED ENERGY-
level.The construction industry, which now be replaced with unplasticized EFFICIENT.
is growing at 10 per cent of the gross polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) windows.
domestic product (GDP) in the last Though aluminium windows could
decade, is above the world average of have been another alternative, it is not
5.5 per cent per annum. considered energy-efficient.
This economic expenditure will
definitely have environmental UPVC windows are widely used
impacts, in terms of energy, water, and globally, from the deserts of Arizona
other resources.Though there are to the cold Scandinavia/Russia, from
environmental, social, and economic
benefits associated with green buildings,
the major barrier to construction of
such buildings is lack of awareness.
The higher compliance standards and
its appropriate implementation can
be found in developed countries like
Germany. We need such measures
in India as energy is one of the most
critical issues in the building sector
and for governments, consumers, and
environmentalists today.
A typical building in India has the
energy intensity of 250 kWh/m2/year of
energy.The official energy conservation
building code for buildings expects
to cut this to 140–170 kWh/m2/year.
It is believed that high performance
buildings can achieve a target of even
75 kWh/m2/year. India aims to reduce
the emissions intensity of its GDP by
33–35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels
for strengthening energy security, and
energy future 15 july–september 2016
elements. Let us take the example of For achieving this, action will be set in WOODEN WINDOWS WERE
the most common energy consumer the different sectors of construction USED WIDELY. WOOD
in urban buildings—air conditioners. industry. WAS THEN AVAILABLE IN
According to experts from the Centre VARIOUS SHAPES AND
for Science and Environment (CSE), For bringing in energy-efficiency in SIZES. HOWEVER, TODAY
currently the air conditioning area green buildings, various components, WITH ENVIRONMENTAL
constitutes just 3 per cent of the built such as windows, doors, and use of DEGRADATION AND
up area in New Delhi. However, if this materials have to be given serious RAPID DEFORESTATION,
mechanical cooling keeps increasing consideration.These can save high PROPONENTS OF ENERGY-
in an uncontrolled manner, it will be energy costs. For this to happen, the EFFICIENT WINDOWS
threatening the energy security right kind of architecture is needed. BELIEVE THAT WOODEN
in future. WINDOWS SHOULD
Green Windows NOW BE REPLACED
In a growing economy like India, the WITH UNPLASTICIZED
demand for commercial, residential, and In India, traditionally, wooden windows POLYVINYL CHLORIDE
institutional space has increased rapidly, were used widely. Wood was then (UPVC) WINDOWS.
and this in turn, has led to building available in various shapes and sizes. THOUGH ALUMINIUM
high comfort level structures that are However, today with environmental WINDOWS COULD
resource-intensive. Further, demand degradation and rapid deforestation, HAVE BEEN ANOTHER
for residential and commercial space proponents of energy-efficient windows ALTERNATIVE, IT IS NOT
will push carbon emissions to a higher believe that wooden windows should CONSIDERED ENERGY-
level.The construction industry, which now be replaced with unplasticized EFFICIENT.
is growing at 10 per cent of the gross polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) windows.
domestic product (GDP) in the last Though aluminium windows could
decade, is above the world average of have been another alternative, it is not
5.5 per cent per annum. considered energy-efficient.
This economic expenditure will
definitely have environmental UPVC windows are widely used
impacts, in terms of energy, water, and globally, from the deserts of Arizona
other resources.Though there are to the cold Scandinavia/Russia, from
environmental, social, and economic
benefits associated with green buildings,
the major barrier to construction of
such buildings is lack of awareness.
The higher compliance standards and
its appropriate implementation can
be found in developed countries like
Germany. We need such measures
in India as energy is one of the most
critical issues in the building sector
and for governments, consumers, and
environmentalists today.
A typical building in India has the
energy intensity of 250 kWh/m2/year of
energy.The official energy conservation
building code for buildings expects
to cut this to 140–170 kWh/m2/year.
It is believed that high performance
buildings can achieve a target of even
75 kWh/m2/year. India aims to reduce
the emissions intensity of its GDP by
33–35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels
for strengthening energy security, and
energy future 15 july–september 2016
