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Published on April 18, 2008

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation

According to property experts, the cost of construction is set to increase by between 3 and 10 per cent if the Energy Ministry approves new energy-saving standards for buildings with a coverage area of 2,000 square metres or more.

According to the proposal, new and renovated buildings with a floor space of 2,000 sqm or more must comply with energy-saving standards.

For example, construction materials for walls, roofs, doors and windows have to meet the heat-ventilation standard while the air-conditioning and lighting systems must have energy-saving systems installed.

These are part of 11 energy-saving measures announced by the ministry last week.

Property Perfect's chief operating officer Teerachon Manomaiphibul said most large property developers were concerned about energy conservation and design residential projects conforming to energy-saving standards despite the added construction cost.

However, if the Energy Ministry makes the provisions legally binding, it will affect small and medium property firms most.

Teerachon said an energy-efficient building would be more expensive compared to a normal building because construction materials conforming to energy-saving standards are priced higher.

However, if the government offers an incentive to builders who develop building which conform to the standards, it will spur them to increase investment and develop energy-saving buildings.

The incentives could include tax rebates on such special construction materials or a reduction in household tax, he said.

LPN Development managing director Opas Sripayak said the new measures did not necessarily affect costs if architects design buildings keeping the environment and energy saving in mind. They should design buildings keeping in mind the direction of the sunrise and sunset, he said.