Energy efficient choice of brick façade in Kolkata, India

Abstract The standard practice for facade in Kolkata, India is with 250 mm thick traditional burnt clay brick wall and 6 mm glazing fitted to aluminium window shutters. In the present study, the embodied energy of traditional brickwork and cumulative cost throughout its lifecycle in a conditioned space has been estimated. The impact on operational energy of such brickwork is also estimated through energy simulation. Variations of the present specifications using varying thickness of fly ash bricks and window glazing have been considered and the cost impacts are estimated. Fly ash brickwork of 300 mm thickness and single layer 6 mm glazing for window glass is proposed as the optimum facade specification.