What are the five climatic zones defined by the code?

Hot-Dry, Warm-Humid, Composite, Temperate, and Cold (Table 1).

Does this code apply to existing buildings?

The code is primarily intended for new buildings, but its principles can be applied for retrofitting existing buildings to improve energy performance.

IS 16352

: 2015

Energy Conservation in Buildings - Guidelines for

CurrentFrequently UsedGuidelinesBIMArchitectural · Green Building and Sustainability

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This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for energy conservation in the design and construction of new buildings. It covers passive design strategies for the building envelope, efficient HVAC and lighting systems, and the integration of renewable energy, with specific recommendations tailored to India's five diverse climatic zones.

Provides comprehensive guidelines for energy conservation measures in various aspects of building design, construction, and operation.

Quick Reference Values

Maximum U-value for roofs in Composite climate0.261 W/m²K

Maximum U-value for walls in Composite climate0.440 W/m²K

Maximum Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) for windows (WWR ≤ 40%) in Composite climate0.27

Maximum Lighting Power Density (LPD) for office space8.3 W/m²

Minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) for low-sloped roofs in Hot-Dry, Warm-Humid, Composite climates78

Minimum roof insulation R-value for air-conditioned buildings in Composite climate2.1 m²K/W

Practical Notes

Correctly identifying the project's climatic zone from Table 1 is the first and most critical step for applying these guidelines.

While these are 'guidelines', they closely align with the mandatory requirements of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), making this a valuable reference for achieving ECBC compliance.

Prioritize optimizing the building envelope (orientation, shading, insulation, glazing) as passive measures have the largest and most permanent impact on reducing energy demand.