Innovations in the Brazilian regulations for energy efficiency of residential buildings

The implementation of energy regulations is the strategy most often used by governments to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Based on Brazilian government incentives initiated in 2001 with Law 10.295, which regulates the National Policy for Conservation and Rational Use of Energy, Brazil has begun to develop methodologies for evaluating the energy efficiency of buildings. In February 2009 the Brazilian Energy Labeling Schemes for Commercial, Public and Services Buildings (RTQ-C) was published followed by the Brazilian Energy Labeling Schemes for Residential Buildings (RTQ-R) in November 2010. This article presents the methodology adopted by RTQ-R, the primary focus of which is the evaluation of naturally ventilated buildings, bioclimatic strategies for encouraging natural ventilation and daylighting, and evaluation of the water heating system. It also presents a review of House Energy Rating Schemes and shows the difference between the Brazilian Scheme and those applied by other countries. These differences are discussed and assessed herein.