Uttar Pradesh Energy Conservation Building code (UPECBC) was drafted by the combined effort of Uttar Pradesh State Designated Agency (UPSDA) and Energy Conservation Building code (ECBC) cell. This code will sets minimum energy efficiency levels for commercial buildings and thus will help in energy saving to a great extent.

These Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) are designed to support building developers and practitioners (energy auditors) understand the newly developed ECBC for Uttar Pradesh.

Q.1. What is ECBC?

A. The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) was launched in May 2007 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power. Its main objective is to establish minimum requirements for energy efficient design and construction of buildings. Recognizing the energy and cost savings of efficient buildings and to help address growing energy needs, the state of Uttar Pradesh is the process to notify ECBC code.

Q.2. Why is ECBC important?

A. India’s two thirds of the total building stock that will exist in 2030 are yet to be built. New buildings possess a great challenge to meeting its increasing energy demand. ECBC sets minimum energy efficiency levels for commercial buildings, locking in energy savings for years to come, retaining occupant comfort, while combating climate change.

Q.3. Is UTTAR PRADESH ECBC applicable to all type of buildings?

A. The ECBC is applicable to all buildings or building complexes that have a connected load of 100 kW or greater, or a contract demand of 120 kVA or greater, used for commercial purposes. It is applicable for both Government and private buildings. The code is not applicable to Equipment and portions of building systems that use energy primarily for manufacturing processes.

Q.4. Who is required to fill the ECBC online application?

A. If the building is eligible for ECBC, the user submitting the application for construction permission needs to fill in the ECBC online form. The building architect, developer, third- Party assessor, or owner can submit the online form.

Q.5. What are the code mandatory requirements? Should mandatory requirements need to be met if I opt for "Whole Building Performance" method to comply with the code?

A. Irrespective of whether one opts for Whole Building Performance (WBP) method or Prescriptive method, the code compliance requires the building to fulfill a set of mandatory provisions. The mandatory requirements are described in UPECBC under sections 3.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2 and 7.2of the UPECBC code.

Q.6. Is there any inspection during construction to ensure measure for UPECBC?

A. The urban local body may conduct random unscheduled progress inspections throughout the construction phase of a building for any new building, addition or alteration project, to ensure that the building complies with the UPECBC.

Q.7. Does water conservation come under the scope of ECBC?

A. No, ECBC addresses only energy efficiency of buildings. Water and other aspects are generally covered in green building rating systems.

Q.8. What is U-value?

A. A U value is a measure of heat loss. It is expressed in W/m2k, and shows the amount of heat lost in watts (W) per square meter of material (for example wall, roof, floor etc.) when the temperature (k) outside is at least one degree lower. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation provided by the material.

Q.9.Is it sufficient to install chiller of less efficiency than what is prescribed by UPECBC if my proposed building energy consumption is less than standard case and I am pursuing the WBP method for compliance?

A.No, any chiller that will be installed in the building must meet minimum efficiency requirements as prescribed. For minimum chiller efficiencies, please refer Table 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 of Uttar Pradesh ECBC.

Q.10. Is it mandatory to put double glazed or triple glazed glass in the building?

A. No, it is not mandatory. While complying through the prescriptive path, use of permanent shading devices such as overhangs and fins can help to achieve required SHGC. Table 4.9 provides SHGC M-factor adjustment calculation. If you are using whole building performance method then there is no restriction on the SHGC of windows of the proposed building.

Q.11. Can there be partial compliance of UPECBC?

A. There is no partial compliance for Uttar Pradesh ECBC.

Q.12. If the building is naturally ventilated, does it still need to follow the UPECBC?

A. Yes, naturally ventilated buildings are also covered in UPECBC if they meet the requirement under section 2.

Q.13. Is it mandatory to install LED lights for interiors?

A. No, user can install any type of light fixture. If you are following prescriptive path for compliance you need to meet Lighting Power Density (W/m2) requirements based on Building area method or Space by space method. If WBP method is followed, your proposed design annual energy consumption must be lesser than the standard case annual energy consumption.

Q.14. Is it essential to install solar water heater system to meet hot water requirement of buildings?

A. As per section 5.2.10 of Uttar Pradesh ECBC, commercial establishments such as hotels, hospitals, guest houses with a centralized system shall have either solar water heating or waste heat recovery system upto the criteria given in the above section.

Q.15. Is it necessary to put roof insulation over deck or under deck?

A. The user can put either over deck or under deck. For prescriptive path roof U-value needs to be met. In the composite climates, it is preferable to put insulation over deck as stopping heat at source is more effective.

Q.16. Is cool roof mandatory?

A. If user follows Prescriptive or Trade-off path providing cool roof is mandatory. In WBP method it is not mandatory.

Q.17. Is it necessary to install glass with higher SHGC, if windows are shaded with trees?

A. No, user cannot take benefit of shading by trees. Permanent shading devices such as overhangs and fins can be considered. Automated moveable shading system can also be installed.

Q.18. Can user take benefit of manual shading controlling WBP method?

A. No, the user can take benefit only if it is automatic shading.

Q.19. Where can I find construction material properties?

A. The user can find construction material properties from supplier's test certificates. If they are not available with manufacture/vendor/supplier you can refer appendix A of the ECBC for default values.

Q.20. Can user take benefit of shading from surrounding buildings in WBP method?

A.No, the user cannot take benefit of shading from surrounding buildings.

Q.21. What software are available for WBP simulations? Are there any open-source or freely available?

A. There are many software/tools available such as eQUEST, OpenStudio, DesignBuilder, IES-VE, Simergy, EnergyPlus etc.eQUEST and EnergyPlus are free tools.

Q.22. Where can user find weather data for my city for energy simulation?

A. The Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) provide weather data for Indian locations for simulations. Weather files can be downloaded from EnergyPlus website for Indian cities given on the link below. https://energyplus.net/weather-region/asia_wmo_region_2/IND%20%20

Q.23. Does user have to take into account emergency lighting load in LPD calculations?

A. No, emergency lighting that is automatically off during normal building operation and is powered by battery, generator, or another alternate power source are exempted.