ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN INDIA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

The chief function of a building is to provide comfortable indoor environment to the occupants. Thus, the focus of energy conservation practices is to optimize energy performance of a building and reducing dependence on energy guzzling electromagnetic devi ces without compromising comfort of inhabitants. Energy consumption in a building is mainly in Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, lifts, water pumps, running domestic appliances, operating electronic gadgets and due to losses in local transmission. The building energy consumption which is mainly in form of electricity is ever increasing and with rapid urbanization, it is bound to accelerate to unprecedented levels unless corrective measures are taken to reduce dependence on exhaustibl e energy sources. This paper provides insight on energy consumption pattern and energy conservation techniques practiced in commercial & residential buildings in India. It discusses opportunities for improving energy efficiency in buildings through impr ovement in building design, low energy intensity equipment selection and integration of renewable energy sources with conventional sources .