The amount of energy consumed by modern society is increasing daily. Improving the energy efficiency of Multiple Apartment Buildings (MKB) is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The maximum effect of energy saving can be obtained through joint efforts of the State, the management companies and the residents of the homes.
What is energy efficiency and energy saving?
Current trends in energy conservation are driving innovation in energy conservation. According to Federal Law No. 261, signed on November 23, 2009, energy efficiency is the relationship between the benefits obtained from the use of resources and the costs necessary to obtain them.
Energy saving is a set of measures whose objective is the efficiency and economy of the use of energy resources. The main energy efficiency indicators of multi-apartment residential buildings must meet the requirements of the applicable laws in this area.
Energy efficiency legislation for residential buildings
Actions to improve the energy efficiency of buildings are governed by the following regulations:
- Order of the Ministry of Economic Development No. 61 of February 17, 2010, which approved an approximate sequence of actions aimed at improving energy efficiency
- Order of the Ministry of Construction No. 98 of February 15, 2017, which approved a list of actions to promote energy saving and a more efficient use of resources in apartment buildings.
These orders define a list of actions to improve energy efficiency in an apartment building. Order No. 98 specifies the principle of assigning energy efficiency classes to MKDs. Determine the rationale for spending the resources necessary to maintain the facility. Together, both documents make it possible to determine a list of energy saving measures, distributing them according to the level of costs and the type of resources.
Energy saving measures, according to order of the Ministry of Construction No. 98
The energy saving program recommended by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Public Services can be broken down by types of resources used.
The result of the activities performed first should give the most effect. When all the priority requirements for energy efficiency in the house are met, the second stage of activities is carried out. Its 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 hot water supply system
First of all, the following activities are carried out on the hot and cold water supply system:
- installation of balancing valves
- balancing the heating system
- flushing the heating pipes
- installation of meters to measure the consumption of hot water and heat at home and in each apartment
Second, they perform:
- installation of an individual heating point
- heat exchanger installation
- installation of a system designed to automatically control heating and hot water
- pipe replacement
- reinforcement replacement
- thermal insulation of pipes in basements and attics, as well as in common areas
- installation of valves for thermoregulation in heating devices
- installation of shut-off valves
- installation and modernization of pumps designed to provide water recirculation in hot water supply systems
Lighting and power supply system
First they perform:
- installation of common electricity meters for houses and apartments
- installation of energy saving lamps in areas intended for general use
Second, they perform:
- dimming setting in automatic mode
- replacement of electric motors; installing drives to provide frequency control
Doors, windows, ceiling and walls
First they perform:
- closing, insulation and sealing of entrance doors
- installation of doors and gates in basements and attics; sealing and sealing of windows located in common areas
Second, they perform:
- installation of heat reflective films on windows
- installation of low emissivity glass in driveways
- replacement of old windows and doors with energy-efficient ones
- Insulation of floors and walls in the basement and attic
- roof insulation
- sealing of 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 estimation
The Energy Saving Program is a document based on the requirements of Article 25 of Federal Law No. 261, which describes the principles of energy conservation and efficiency. The energy savings program plan includes the following steps:
- Object Data Collection
- express inspection of the building
- energy audit to determine the available potential and energy saving reserves
- formation of a list of activities to increase the energy consumption class of MKD
- determine the costs necessary to implement the plan
- calculation of estimated savings in natural and monetary value
- calculation of payback period for planned energy saving measures
- selection of funding sources
- selection of those responsible for the implementation of measures aimed at energy consumption in saving mode
- development of actions for the implementation of planned activities
- completion, registration and approval of the energy saving program
Program to improve home energy efficiency goals:
- takes into account the individual characteristics of each MKD
- meets specific energy conservation needs
- defines a specific plan to achieve the required level of energy efficiency
- contains methods to rationally reduce energy costs and increase 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 directed to higher priority areas of activity. The return on investment of the activities carried out can be determined by calculating:
- simple payback period
- discounted payback period
- profitability index
- Internal rate of return
- net present value
- Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Thermal imaging study allows you to assess the energy efficiency class of a building and establish how efficient is the consumption of heat and electricity in the house. This survey is included in the energy audit complex. Based on the results obtained, an energy certificate is issued for MKD.
Improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings by apartment owners
Apartment owners can also improve the energy efficiency of buildings. This will lead to energy savings hence the cost of utility bills will decrease. For this it is recommended:
- insulate doors and window openings
- install a second front door if the entrance is too cold
- install heat shields behind radiators
- remove the decorative battery grids, if any
- do not cover radiators with curtains
- replace old radiators with new ones
- to glaze loggias and balconies
- save electricity
- save water
The adoption of 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 from
The management organization is responsible for the maintenance of the housing stock. Therefore, it is she who is the executor of the work to improve the energy efficiency of MKD. The source of financing is the payment made by the residents of the house for the maintenance of the house. Some of the work may be performed under a civil law contract.
The management organization is entitled to pay the amount of the costs of energy saving measures under the contract-contract in payment for the maintenance of residential premises, having previously signed an agreement with the owners on the implementationfrom work.
Capital repair programs under the Housing and Utilities Reform Promotion Fund (FRS) program, without fail include measures to improve energy efficiency and energy conservation in apartment blocks, run by the fund.
Low-cost interventions in apartment buildings
A house that operates 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 access paths
- install door closer
- examine the heating system
- install heat shields behind radiators
- install heating regulators that allow you to regulate the temperature of the refrigerant based on the air temperature in the room
Energy efficiency measures for high-investment buildings
Large-scale and technical events are expensive, but they improve a building's energy efficiency much more. These include:
- installation of modern windows with high thermal resistance
- installation of new radiators
- improvement of individual heating points
- selection of energy efficient heating boilers
- automation of the loading and operation process from heating boilers
- isolation of common areas
- execution of modern thermal insulation in pipes
- installation of variable speed drive in water supply and drainage systems
- installation of a frequency inverter in the pumping equipment
- replace old electrical networks with new ones
The energy efficiency review can significantly reduce power consumption. In addition, it is recommended to periodically monitor and analyze new modern technologies that increase energy efficiency and, if possible, put them into practice. All these measures help to significantly save the amount of resources spent on the maintenance of apartment buildings.