ABSTRACT

Increasing energy demand has been identified as one of the key contributors to global warming (UNEP, 2003). Energy efficiency in buildings is emerging as one of the mitigating factors of climate change. In the context of buildings, energy efficiency is defined as the ability to provide the required internal environment and services with minimum energy use in a cost-effective and environmental friendly manner (CIBSE, 2004). While defining energy efficiency, it is imperative that it must be distinguished from energy intensity. It must be remembered that energy intensity is the ratio of energy consumption to some measure of demand for energy services and remains preferable as an indicator for energy efficiency (EIA, 2000).The key attributes considered as a prerequisite to energy efficiency are reduction in energy output, maximization of work output and overall cost reduction.