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There is a need to have more “buy in” from Barbadians on the draft Regional Energy-Efficient Building Code (REEBC), a document being developed by member States through the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ).

Technical Officer with the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI), Johnathan Platt, emphasised this on Monday, while addressing media representatives who attended the national consultation at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael.

Noting that the thrust, with regards to energy efficiency, was here to stay, he said “there is a need” to focus on energy efficiency because of the fluctuating cost of fuel, and to help save the planet.

“Building codes and standards are some things that we do naturally at the BNSI, but we are working in collaboration with all of the member states, so the focus is larger than just Barbados. So…we welcome as many persons who wish to review the document, and they can comment if they wish,” Mr. Platt stated.

Among the issues the document will seek to address are: thermal performance requirements for walls, roofs and windows; day lighting, lamps and luminaries performance; energy performance of chillers and air distribution systems.

Comments may also be given with respect to the electrical wiring system; solar water heating; appliances; renewable energy; zoning of buildings, climate classification and building energy management systems.

Mr. Platt further explained that rising costs of energy was driving the member states to come up with a building code that requires more energy efficient designs, and stressed that Barbadian stakeholders needed to peruse the draft.

He said public comments were “important to inform the draft CAD of our requirements nationally” and recommendations would form the basis for the proposed Regional Energy-Efficient Building Code. “Something must be done to make buildings more energy-efficient,” Mr. Platt declared.

Lending support to him was Renewable Energy Coordinator with the Barbados National Oil Company Ltd, Felicia Cox, who said the aim was not mainly to save Barbados a significant amount of money, but the individual as well.

“The basic idea is to stop spending money on fuel, on energy and to spend it instead on our building, to make sure that that does not consume as much, and this is the best way to do it.

“And you want to do it before you invest in let’s say an off-grid renewable system because it would mean that your costs there are also lower.  So, the bottom line is we want to save you money, so that is what this Efficiency Code is about,” she explained.

The draft CROSQ Standard Caribbean Application Document (CAD) for the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code is available for perusal and comment at BNSI’s office on Culloden Road, St. Michael.

joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb

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