1. Energy Efficiency in Jamaica’s Building Code:
The Building Envelope

2. 1. Background to Jamaica’s Energy Efficiency Building Code
Buildings should all have Net-Zero Energy Consumption in 33 years time to avoid irreversible detrimental consequencies of Climatic Change, however Jamaica is yet to have a mandatory Energy-Efficiency Building code after 34 years.
The current Energy Code is voluntary and was developed in 1995 (22 years ago).

3. 1. Background of the Energy Efficiency Building Code
West-Facing Elevation of the PCJ Headquarters

4. 1. Background of the Energy Efficiency Building Code
South-facing Elevation of the PCJ Headquarters

5. 2. Assessing the Code
To evaluate the effectiveness of the code, the actual energy consumption was determined for existing office buildings:
The average consumption for 17 large buildings was 23.8 kWhr/sq.ft.
The average consumption for 82 small office buildings was 20 kWhr.sq.ft.

6. 2. Assessing the Code Comparable computer models were created;
Annual and peak electrical consumptions were divided into system loads;
System loads from highest to lowest were: Cooling Plant, Lighting, Fans, and Equipment; and
Peak cooling loads were also broken-down into components but there were differences between the large and small offices.

7. 2.Assessment of the Code
Peak cooling loads for large office buildings from highest to lowest were: ventilation, solar, conduction, lighting, occupants, and equipment.

8. 2.Assessment of the Code
Peak cooling loads for small office buildings from highest to lowest were: ventilation, solar, lighting, conduction, occupants, and equipment.

9. 2.Assessing the Code
Changes were made to the buildings to comply with the code and the results were:
The energy consumption of the large office building was reduced by 30%; while
The energy consumption of the small office reduced by 36%.

10. 2. Assessing the Code
Changes were made to the base buildings to exceed code requirements, and the results were:
The energy consumption of the large building was reduced by 62%; while
The energy consumption of the small building reduced by 57%.

11. 3. The Building Envelope
The envelope comprises the external walls and roof of a building with any associated openings:
It cannot influence consumption of the equipment, but this is approximately 7% of annual consumption, and 9% of peak electrical consumption.

12. 3. The Building Envelope
With regard to the cooling plant, it cannot affect occupant and equipment loads which are 12% for small buildings and 15% for large buildings; and
It can only influence lighting (whether directly or as a cooling load) by using daylight.

13. 3. The Building Envelope
To comply with the building code, the following changes were made to the envelope of the base building:
Insulation was added to the roof;
Special glasses and/or shading were used for windows; and
Walls were light-coloured so that they were very reflective

14. 4. Conclusion
The Bureau of Standard’s deadline for comments on the mandatory energy-efficiency building code ended last month;
That code is based on the 2009 International Building Code, which gets revised every 3 years and now has a green building component; and
A regional building code is presently being developed.