Why in News?
Energy-efficient bricks are recently in the news because researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati announced a breakthrough in "smart" brick technology on March 28, 2026. This innovation uses Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to naturally regulate indoor temperatures, potentially reducing air conditioning energy consumption by up to 20%.
Key Information
- Working Principle: PCMs act as a "thermal battery" by absorbing heat during phase transitions (melting) and releasing it during solidification.
- Target Climate: The OM35-based bricks are specifically designed for hot and humid regions with ambient temperatures ranging from 28°C to 38°C.
Main Types of Energy-Efficient Bricks
- PCM-embedded Bricks: Actively regulate temperature through latent heat storage.
- Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks: Lightweight blocks with air pockets that provide superior thermal insulation compared to traditional red bricks.
- Fly Ash Bricks: Utilise power plant byproducts and avoid high-temperature kiln firing, reducing the carbon footprint by up to 30%.
- Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEBs): Shaped using mechanical presses without any kiln firing, eliminating high-temperature combustion.
Government Incentives
- The E3 (Energy Efficiency Enterprise) Certification program by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) labels manufacturers who reduce energy use by 25% below the national baseline.
- Proposals are in place to mandate the use of E3-certified bricks in government-funded projects like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Key Benefits
- Energy Savings: Can reduce cooling loads by 25–30%.
- Resource Conservation: Reduces dependency on fertile topsoil and river sand by using industrial waste like fly ash or waste foundry sand.
- Environmental Impact: Helps in significant CO2 reduction and diverts millions of tons of industrial waste from landfills.
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