The amount of energy that modern society uses is increasing every day. Improving the energy efficiency of multi-family houses (MKB) is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. The maximum effect of energy saving can be achieved through the joint efforts of the state, management companies and residents of houses.
What is energy efficiency and energy saving
Current trends in energy saving drive innovations in energy saving. According to Federal Law No. 261 signed on November 23, 2009, energy efficiency is the ratio of the benefits from the use of resources to the costs required for this.
Energy saving is a series of measures, the purpose of which is the efficiency and profitability of the use of energy resources. The main indicators of the energy efficiency of apartment buildings must meet the requirements of the applicable laws in this area.
Energy efficiency legislation for residential buildings
Measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings are subject to the following regulations:
- Order of the Ministry of Economic Development No. 61 of February 17, 2010, in which an approximate sequence of measures to improve energy efficiency was approved
- Order of the Ministry of Construction No. 98 of February 15, 2017, in which a list of measures to promote energy saving and more efficient use of resources in apartment buildings was approved
These orders define a list of measures to improve the energy efficiency in a residential building. Ordinance No. 98 lays down the principle of assigning energy efficiency classes to residential buildings. It determines the rationality of the expenses for the maintenance of the plant. Taken together, both documents enable a list of energy saving measures to be drawn up, broken down by cost level and type of resource.
Energy saving measures according to the order of the Ministry of Construction No. 98
The energy saving program recommended by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities can be broken down by the type of resource used.
The result of the activities carried out in the first place should have the greatest impact. When all the primary requirements for energy efficiency in the house are met, the second stage of activities is carried out. Their implementation is also very important. The order of the 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 hot water supply system
First of all, the following activities are carried out in the heating, hot and cold water supply system:
- Installation of equalizing valves
- Compensation of the heating system
- Flushing heating pipes
- Installation of meters to measure hot water and heat consumption at home and in every apartment
Second, do the following:
- Installation of a single heating point
- Installation of the heat exchanger
- Installation of a system for the automatic control of heating and hot water
- Pipe replacement
- Replacement of the reinforcement
- Thermal insulation of pipes in basements and attics as well as in public areas
- Installation of valves for heat regulation on heating devices
- Installation of shut-off valves
- Installation and modernization of pumps to ensure water circulation in hot water supply systems
Power supply and lighting system
First, do the following:
- Installation of electricity meters for house and apartment
- Installation of energy saving light bulbs in places intended for general use
Second, do the following:
- Setting of dimming in automatic mode
- Replacement of electric motors, installation of drives for frequency control
Doors, windows, roof and walls
First of all, do it
- Closing, insulating and sealing of entrance doors
- Installation of doors and flaps in basements and attics, sealing and sealing of windows in public areas
Second, do the following:
- Installation of heat reflecting films under windows
- Installation of low emissivity glass in driveways
- 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 through the installation of air flaps
Preparation of an energy saving program. Estimate costs and savings
The energy saving program is a document based on the requirements of Article 25 of Federal Law No. 261 that describes the principles of energy saving and energy efficiency. The power saving program plan includes the following steps:
- Object data acquisition
- Express inspection of the building
- Energy audit to determine the available potential and reserves for energy savings
- Creation of a list of activities to increase the energy consumption class of MKD
- Determination of the costs for the implementation of the plan
- Calculation of the estimated savings in natural and monetary value
- Calculation of the amortization time of planned energy saving measures
- Selection of funding sources
- Selection of the persons who are responsible for the implementation of measures for energy consumption in saving mode
- Development of measures to implement planned activities
- Completion, registration and approval of the energy saving program
Program to improve energy efficiency targets for private households:
- takes into account the individual properties of each MKD
- meets specific energy saving requirements
- defines a specific plan to achieve the required level of energy efficiency.
- contains methods for the rational reduction of energy costs and for increasing energy efficiency
- takes into account the available finances
- uses the building's energy potential optimal from
The main result of the implementation of the developed program is the reduction of costs and energy consumption. This allows the savings to be directed towards areas of activity with higher priority. The amortization of the developed activities can be determined by the calculation:
- simple payback period
- reduced amortization time
- Profitability rate
- Internal rate of return
- Present value
- Life cycle cost analysis
With the thermal image examination you can evaluate the energy efficiency class of a building and determine how efficient the heat and power consumption is in the house. Such a survey is included in the energy audit complex. An energy certificate for MKD is issued based on the results achieved.
Improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings by apartment owners
Apartment owners can also improve the energy efficiency of buildings. This translates into energy savings, hence reducing the cost of electricity bills. We recommend:
- insulate doors and window openings
- Install a second front door if the entrance is very cold.
- Install heat shields behind the radiators
- Remove any decorative grids from the batteries.
- Do not cover the radiators with curtains.
- Replace old radiators with new ones
- for glazing loggias and balconies
- Save electricity
- Save water
By introducing these measures, energy costs are reduced by 30-40% at no extra cost, without impairing quality of life.
Who is the performer and where do you get the money from?
The administrative organization is responsible for maintaining the housing stock. Therefore, she is the executor of the work to improve the energy efficiency of MKD. The source of funding is the payment of the residents of the house for the maintenance of the living quarters. Part of the work can be carried out under a civil law contract.
The administrative organization has the right to pay the amount of the cost of energy-saving measures under the contract as payment for the maintenance of the living quarters, having previously signed an agreement with the owners to carry out the work.
Capital repair programs under the Fund for the Promotion of Reforms (FRS) program for housing and utilities definitely include measures to improve energy efficiency and save energy resources in apartment blocks at the expense of the fund.
Inexpensive interventions in apartment buildings
A house that works in energy saving mode uses far fewer resources. Energy-saving technologies can also be implemented through inexpensive activities. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Rinse the heating system
- Isolate entrances
- Install door closer
- Examine the heating system
- Install heat reflecting shields behind the radiators
- Install heating controllers with which you can regulate the temperature of the coolant depending on the air temperature in the room
Energy efficiency measures in buildings that require large investments
Technical and large-scale events are expensive, but they significantly improve the energy efficiency of a building. These include:
- Installation of modern windows with high thermal resistance
- Installation of new radiators
- Improvement of the individual heating points
- Selection of energy-efficient boilers
- Automation of the charging and operating process of boilers
- Thermal insulation of public areas
- Implementation of modern thermal insulation on pipes
- Installation of a frequency converter in water supply and drainage systems
- Installation of a frequency converter on pumping systems
- Replacing old power grids with new ones
An energy-efficient overhaul can significantly reduce energy consumption. In addition, it is recommended that new, modern technologies that increase energy efficiency be monitored regularly, analyzed and, if possible, put into practice. All of these measures help to significantly reduce the resources required for the maintenance of apartment buildings.