Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has started receiving entries for its fourth annual ‘Conserving Building Competition’ being organised as part of the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency - Tarsheed.
 
The fourth edition of the competition launched by the Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department, with the slogan “Become One with Nature”, is open to all buildings comprising industrial, governmental, commercial, and residential, sports venues and tourism sectors, said a statement from the utility.

Tarsheed Conserving Building Competition recognises the buildings that incorporate, support and promote best practices in conservation of energy, water and other natural resources.

The contest started primarily with four sectors in 2012 initially - commercial, government, residential and industrial sectors in its first year. The Sports Venues and tourism sectors were added later. The last date for sending the entries is March 10, it stated.

Only existing and operational buildings will be eligible to enter the competition, excluding buildings with conventional window air0conditioners and buildings having landscaping with flood irrigation systems, it added.

According to Kahramaa, the entries will be evaluated in several phases by a panel of experts representing research centres, universities; ministries among others.

The objective is to create awareness about the building conservation concept in all sectors of the society and the benefits of building conservation practices (energy, water), and motivate consumers to adopt them in the local construction market besides mobilising people and encouraging them to embrace energy conservation strategies.

Winning buildings from each sector will receive a prize and a certificate for being a role model in the field of building conservation at the fourth Tarsheed Annual Celebration to be held on April 21, said the organisers.

The buildings will be evaluated based on the specific criteria set out by a team of qualified experts to test efficient design of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems in all buildings which in turn includes HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system, lighting, plumbing fixtures, building automation, sustainability measures, specific energy/water consumption, building envelope for roof and façade, landscaping, and operation and maintenance measures.

“Conserving buildings” are buildings that reduce electricity and water consumption, carbon emissions, and provide better living for residents in Qatar, they added.-TradeArabia News Service