DOE provides guidelines on energy efficient building design

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) came up with a policy that provides guidelines on the energy conserving design of buildings as part of its continuing efforts to advance the country’s energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) agenda through Department Circular DC2020-12-00626, “Adoption of the Guidelines on Energy Conserving Design of Buildings” that was signed on December 22, 2020.

According to DOE secretary Alfonso Cusi that transforming EE&C into a national way of life is a concerted effort.  “We want our future infrastructure to be resilient and energy efficient.  We must start to develop a culture that integrates these principles even in the early design stages."

Cusi welcomed the cooperation of the country's design and construction professionals in helping DOE craft the necessary policies that bring national EE&C goals into fruition.

The department circular hopes to aid building designers, architects, and engineers to choose appropriate energy efficient technologies for building envelopes and electrical and mechanical systems, Cusi said.

Cusi added that the circular implements the mandate on the minimum standards on energy efficient building design under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11285 or the EE&C Act. 

“Recognizing technological developments and innovations, the DC and its Guidelines shall be updated every three years or earlier, taking into consideration the rate of advancement in energy efficient technologies and practices,” Cusi stated.

The innovative policy was the result of inclusive and multi-sectoral virtual public consultations conducted by the DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau in September to November 2010 with the active participation of the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Building Code Development Office (DPWH-NHCDO), industry stakeholders and experts from the building construction sector.

The DOE will be conducting a widescale Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign for Local Government Units, Office of the Building Officials to increase awareness on the integration of EE&C principles in building designs, given their role as the primary entities responsible for the issuance of building permits, DOE said. (Photos: Google Files)