Improving environmental performance of building through increased energy efficiency: A review

Buildings are major consumers of energy throughout their life cycle. Generation of energy primarily depends on conventional sources, which is the basic cause of environmental pollution. To improve environmental performance of building it is essential to involve all parameters which control its energy efficiency. Present paper identifies various parameters, viz. regulatory and voluntary policies, rating systems to assess energy efficiency, selection of energy efficient processes and materials through life cycle analysis and simulation and shifting to low embodied energy materials. A close control over each stage of development of a building is essential in the process of improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emission. In the following review construction of a building is divided in planning phase, designing phase, execution phase and operating phase. Policy makers, architects, structural designers, energy managers, construction managers and consultants must be involved in the development of a building for improving its overall environmental performance.