Assessing Energy Code Compliance of Multistoried Residential Buildings of Ludhiana: Application of ECBC-R and Punjab-ECBC

Geetanjali Kapoor; Meenakshi Singhal

doi:10.34293/ijnz2070.v1i2.11052

Geetanjali Kapoor Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7186-4058
Meenakshi Singhal Department of Architecture, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6407-1404

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34293/ijnz2070.v1i2.11052

Keywords: Energy Conservation, ECBC, Thermal Transmittance, RETV, Natural Ventilation Potential, Daylight Potential

Abstract

Amid the accelerating pace of residential construction and the increasing urgency of energy conservation, it is essential to assess whether contemporary housing developments align with established energy efficiency standards. In India, the Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings (ECBC-R), introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), provides a national framework for promoting sustainable residential design. Complementing this, the Punjab Energy Conservation Building Code (Punjab-ECBC) introduces region-specific performance benchmarks tailored to the composite climate of Punjab. This study evaluates the energy code compliance of three representative multistoried residential buildings—low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise—located in Ludhiana, Punjab. These typologies reflect the prevailing patterns of urban residential development in the region. Accordingly, this study examines compliance with ECBC-R and Punjab-ECBC to provide a comprehensive evaluation of residential energy performance at both national and state levels. The findings reveal significant gaps in compliance, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced awareness, policy enforcement, and proactive design interventions by architects, developers, and regulatory bodies.