Building Sector
The building sector consumes about 29% of the primary energy consumed in the Kingdom. The SEEC seeks to improve and raise the efficiency of energy consumption in this sector by developing the necessary technical regulations, policies, systems and procedures necessary in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders. The scope of work covers all governmental, commercial and residential buildings, including building systems as well as electrical and electronic systems and devices used in those buildings.
Initiatives
Energy Efficiency Standards for Air Conditioners
This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of small and large capacity air conditioners by setting technical standards that improve energy efficiency and reduce power consumption, including adding the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) for small capacity air conditions, which encourages the usage of advanced technologies such as inverters.
Energy Efficiency Standards for Home Appliances
This initiative aims to set standards for home appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters, through determining technical standards to improve the energy efficiency of these appliances, contributing in improving energy efficiency and saving energy consumption significantly.
Standards of Lighting and Street Lighting Devices
This initiative aims to set technical standards for indoor and street lighting devices, by improving their efficiency and set minimum performance requirements. Three standards have been issued to ensure high quality in energy efficiency for lighting, contributing in improving performance and reducing energy consumption.
Saudi Energy Codes (SBC 601-602)
In cooperation with the National Committee for the Saudi Building Code, the SEEC contributed to the development of technical codes and standards that cover energy efficiency and conservation in buildings, including thermal insulation of the building envelope, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and lighting systems, ensuring the integration of these standards with the energy efficiency requirements in the Saudi building.
Thermal Insulation Materials Standards Initiative
In cooperation with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, standards and specifications were developed for thermal insulation materials, including the issuance of 16 technical regulations, which enhances the integration of building standards with energy efficiency goals.
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) in Buildings
This initiative seeks to raise public’s awareness of the importance of energy efficiency in residential buildings by issuing energy intensity rating label based on the major design elements, which helps beneficiaries compare residential units according to their energy consumption.
Building Management System (BMS)
This initiative aims to study and analyze local and international experiences to determine the best practices to activate energy management in buildings on the legislative and awareness levels, to enhance the community’s understanding of building energy management requirements.
Standby and Off-Mode Requirements for Electrical Appliances
The initiative aims to set technical specifications to ensure that devices operate efficiently in standby and off-mode, reducing energy consumption. A technical regulation has been developed to include these requirements to ensure compliance with energy efficiency standards.