Philippine Green Building Code Overview

Energy Use and Climate Change

• Around 0.53 tons of CO2 is emitted to generate one kilowatt-hour of electricity.
• Buildings account for approximately 36% of the national energy consumption (2010 data from the Department of Energy).

The Philippine Green Building Code

• The Philippine Green Building Code (GB Code), launched in June 2015, is a referral code of the National Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096).
• The GB Code aims to improve building performance efficiency by adopting measures for resource management and site sustainability.
• It sets standards for resource use, site selection, planning, design, construction, occupancy, and maintenance to minimize environmental impact.
• The GB Code aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and water consumption by at least 20%.
• The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) aims to achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Objectives of the GB Code

• Improve building performance efficiency through standardized measures.
• Counter harmful greenhouse gases responsible for climate change effects.
• Ensure efficient use of resources, site, design, construction, and maintenance without significant cost increases.

Green Building Principles:

• The text does not list specific green building principles.

Green Building Criteria

• Feasibility: Measures and technologies should be understood and readily available in the country.
• Impact: Measures should provide significant financial, social, or environmental benefits.
• Affordability: Measures should include affordable cost and a reasonable payback period.

Green Building Practices

• Green building promotes resource management efficiency, site sustainability, and minimizes buildings' negative impact on human health and the environment.
• It complements traditional building design concerns like economy, durability, serviceability, and comfort.

Open Space Utilization

• A minimum of 50% of the required Unpaved Surface Area (USA) must be vegetated with indigenous and adaptable species.
• Green spaces help provide more permeable surfaces, recharge groundwater, control stormwater runoff, cool surroundings, and connect indoor spaces to the outdoors.

Energy Efficiency

• Around 50% to 70% of building energy is used for mechanical systems, particularly air-conditioning and ventilation.
• The GB Code necessitates implementing efficient practices, designs, methods, and technologies to reduce energy consumption, leading to cost savings, reduced energy consumption, and lower GHG emissions.

Building Envelope

• The building envelope physically separates indoor and outdoor environments.
• It consists of walls, roofs, doors, and windows that enclose the interior and protect it from weather changes.
• The building envelope is composed of various building materials.

Air Tightness and Moisture Protection:

• Due to high humidity levels, building air tightness and moisture protection are essential.
• Buildings should be planned, designed, and constructed to minimize air infiltration and moisture ingress.
• Vapor barriers, with a permeance of one perm or less, are recommended to prevent moisture entry through walls.
• Vulnerable points for air and water-tight sealing must be addressed, such as window frames and roof surfaces.

Glass Properties

• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) affect indoor heat levels.
• External shading, like overhangs, can be used to adjust SHGC limits using correction factors.

Natural Ventilation

• Proper air flow into, around, and out of indoor spaces is crucial for occupant health.
• Natural ventilation should be incorporated into building design.
• The operable window area for each frequently occupied room should be at least 10% of the floor area.
• Strategic placement of windows and doors maximizes natural air flow and sunlight.

Building Envelope Color

• Metal roofs should be white or have a minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 70.
• Lighter colors help buildings stay cooler by reflecting heat.

Roof Insulation

• Buildings should have roof insulation with an average thermal resistance value (R-Value) of at least R-8.
• Insulation reduces heat gain through the building envelope, improving thermal comfort, acoustic quality, and reducing air-conditioning system load.

Electrical Systems

• Electrical systems are facilities that provide power for lighting, mechanical, heating, water, and sewage systems.
• The GB Code requires a minimum window opening area of 10% of the room space floor area to provide daylight.