The amount of energy consumed by modern society is increasing daily. Improving the energy efficiency of multi-storey buildings (MKB) is one of the important challenges of the 21st century. The maximum effect of energy savings can be achieved through joint efforts of the state, management companies and homeowners.
What is energy efficiency and energy saving
Current trends in energy saving stimulate innovation in energy saving. According to Federal Law № 261, signed on 23 November 2009, energy efficiency is the ratio of the benefits derived from the use of resources to the costs necessary to obtain them.
Energy saving is a set of measures aimed at the efficiency and economy of the use of energy resources. The main indicators for energy efficiency of multi-room residential buildings must meet the requirements of applicable laws in this area.
Legislation for energy efficiency of residential buildings
Actions to improve the energy efficiency of buildings are governed by the following provisions:
- Order of the Ministry of Economic Development № 61 of 17 February 2010 approving an approximate sequence of actions aimed at improving energy efficiency
- Order of the Ministry of Construction № 98 of 15 February 2017 approving a list of actions to promote energy saving and more efficient use of resources in residential buildings
These orders define a list of actions to improve energy efficiency in a residential building. Provision № 98 sets out the principle of assigning energy efficiency classes to residential buildings. It determines the rationality of spending the resources needed to maintain the facility. Taken together, the two documents make it possible to define a list of energy saving measures, broken down by level of costs and type of resources.
Energy saving measures, according to an order of the Ministry of Construction № 98
The energy saving program recommended by the Ministry of Construction and Housing can be divided by types of resources used.
The result of the activities carried out in the first place should give the greatest effect. When all the priority requirements for energy efficiency are met in the house, the second stage of the activities is performed. Their implementation is also very important. The order of activities is determined for technical and financial reasons.
It is proposed to implement the following measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Heating and water supply system
First of all, the following activities are performed in the heating, hot and cold water supply system:
- balancing valve installation
- heating system balancing
- flushing heating pipes
- installation of measuring instruments for measuring the consumption of hot water and heat at home and in each apartment
Second, they execute:
- install a separate heating point
- heat exchanger installation
- installation of a system designed for automatic control of heating and hot water
- pipe replacement
- reinforcement replacement
- thermal insulation of pipelines in basements and attics, as well as in common areas
- installation of valves for thermoregulation of heating devices
- installation of shut-off valves
- installation and modernization of pumps designed to provide water recirculation in hot water supply systems
Power and lighting system
First of all, they execute:
- installation of common electricity meters for houses and apartments
- installing energy-saving lamps in common areas
Second, they execute:
- auto dimming setting
- replacement of electric motors; installing drives to provide frequency control
Doors, windows, roof and walls
First they do:
- closing, insulating and sealing the doors of the alley
- installation of doors and shock absorbers in basements and attics; sealing and sealing windows located in common areas
Second, they execute:
- installing heat-reflecting films on windows
- Installing low-emission glass in alleys
- Replacing old windows and doors with energy efficient ones
- floor and wall insulation in the basement and attic
- roof insulation
- Sealing joints between panels
- wall insulation
- glazing of loggias and balconies
- reduction of losses in the air conditioning and ventilation system due to the installation of air dampers
Preparation of an energy saving program. Cost and savings estimate
The Energy Saving Program is a document based on the requirements of Article 25 of Federal Law № 261, which describes the principles of energy saving and energy efficiency. The plan of the energy saving program includes the following steps:- collect object data
- express view of the building
- energy audit to determine available energy saving potential and reserves
- generate a list of activities to increase the energy consumption class of MKD
- Determining the costs required to implement the plan
- calculation of estimated savings in kind and money
- calculation of the payback period of the planned energy saving measures
- selection of funding sources
- selection of persons responsible for the implementation of measures aimed at energy consumption in an economical way
- develop actions to implement the planned activities
- complete, register and approve the energy saving program
Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Program:
- takes into account the individual characteristics of each MKD
- meets specific energy saving needs
- sets out a concrete plan to achieve the required level of energy efficiency
- contains methods for rationally reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency
- takes into account available finances
- makes the most of the building's energy potential
The main result of the implementation of the developed program is the reduction of costs and energy consumption. This allows savings to be targeted at higher priority areas. The return on developed activities can be determined using the calculation:
- simple payback period
- reduced payback period
- profitability ratio
- Internal rate of return
- net present value
- Life cycle cost analysis
The thermal imaging study allows you to assess the energy efficiency class of the building and determine how efficient the heat and electricity consumption in the house is. Such a study is included in the energy audit complex. Based on the obtained results, an energy certificate for MKD is issued.
Improving the energy efficiency of buildings by apartment owners
Apartment owners can also improve the energy efficiency of buildings. This will save energy, which will reduce billing costs. For this it is recommended:
- insulate doors and window openings
- install a second front door if the entrance is very cold
- install heat shields behind the radiators
- Remove the decorative grilles from the batteries, if any
- do not cover radiators with curtains
- replace old radiators with new ones
- for glazing loggias and balconies
- save electricity
- save water
Adopting these measures will save energy costs by 30-40% without special costs, without reducing the quality of life.
Who is the artist and where to get the money
The managing organization is responsible for the maintenance of the housing stock. Therefore, it is the contractor for the work to improve the energy efficiency of MKD. The source of funding is the payment made by the residents of the house for the maintenance of residential premises. Part of the work can be done under a civil law contract.
The managing organization has the right to pay the amount of the costs for energy saving measures under the contract-contract in the payment of the maintenance of the residential premises, having previously signed an agreement with the owners for the performance of the work.
The overhaul programs under the program of the Fund for Promotion of Reforms (FRS) of housing and communal services necessarily include measures to improve energy efficiency and energy saving in apartment blocks, at the expense of the fund.
Cheap interventions in residential buildings
A home running in energy saving mode consumes much less resources. Energy-saving technologies can be implemented even through low-cost activities. To do this, follow:
- Flush the heating system
- isolate alleys
- install closing doors
- look at the heating system
- install heat shields behind the radiators
- install heating regulators that allow you to adjust the coolant temperature depending on the room air temperature
Energy efficiency measures in buildings requiring large investments
Technical and large-scale events are expensive, but significantly improve the energy efficiency of the building. These include:
- installation of modern windows with high thermal resistance
- installing new radiators
- Improving individual heating points
- selection of energy efficient heating boilers
- automation of the process of charging and operation of heating boilers
- thermal insulation of common areas
- implementation of modern thermal insulation of pipelines
- installation of variable speed drives in water supply and drainage systems
- Installing variable frequency drive on pumping equipment
- replacing old electrical networks with new ones
Energy-efficient overhauls can significantly reduce energy consumption. In addition, it is recommended to regularly monitor and analyze new modern technologies that increase energy efficiency and, if possible, to apply them in practice. All these measures help to significantly save the amount of resources spent on maintenance of residential buildings.