The most significant increase in construction volumes in Latvia was registered in the time period from 2005 to the middle of 2008. Many large suburban areas around Riga were landscaped for building single-family-type houses. People have been using these properties for 12–15 years, and now, the challenge for the inhabitants is to find the most efficient way to maintain a high level of living comfort. Deteriorating systems require investments, so it is in the interest of owners to ensure that the benefits of such investments are maximized and that energy consumption is as low as possible. In this study, the authors simulated various scenarios where HVAC system parameters were changed, and the thermal performance of building structures was improved. Annual energy consumption, indoor quality and thermal comfort were analyzed. The importance of this work is justified by the need to realize and define the energy efficiency levels of existing single-family houses and demonstrate the amount of investment required to move closer to established energy efficiency targets.
The article investigates the influence of different ventilation strategies on annual energy consumption and thermal comfort. The method proposed for the study is the analysis of the building model realized in the energy simulation software IDA Indoor Climate and Energy (IDA-ICE) 4.7 - a tool for dynamic simulation of thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy consumption in buildings. The especial attention is paid to application of external shadings which is not popular in cold climate. Achieved results have shown operative temperature is below 26°C.
This paper is devoted to analysis of insulation materials quality and characteristics, method for the determination of thermal conductivity coefficient and the influence of various factors on the thermal conductivity coefficient. The paper summarizes the estimated process consumption of thermal energy. The research is defined experimental hemp fiber-sheaves insulation plates manufactured in Latvia further specified actual parameter and quality water absorption; thickness changes; drying process; thermal conductivity coefficient; thermal conductivity coefficient depending from moisture. Research is made using experimental hemp fiber-sheaves insulation pattern manufactured in Latvia – plates in size 300 x 300 mm. In research totally are used three hemp fiber-sheaves pattern series with different substance and extrusion modes. Each series consist from four plate with different thickness. As result of research is determined hemp fiber-sheaves insulation pattern Water absorption, dynamics of Drying process, Thickness changes, Thermal conductivity coefficient and Thermal conductivity coefficient depending from moisture.
Natural gas heating systems are traditionally very popular in private sector in Latvia because of their numerous advantages, such as high efficiency, relatively low CO2 emissions, automation possibilities and convenient fuel supply, as well as widely available natural gas distribution network. Household natural gas consumption has remained fairly stable over the last decade and accounted for 11.3% of total natural gas consumption in 2017, however, natural gas consumption may decline in the near future, because of installation of renewable energy powered systems which improve systems’ resilience and reduce expenses on heating and hot water preparation. Curently hybrid gas boilers in combination with solar thermal panels are promoted on the market as the most efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. The main aim of this study is to perform a detailed simulation on hybrid gas systems energy production in Latvian climate and to evaluate potential energy savings. The performed simulation results show that solar thermal panels do not actually reduce the consumption of natural gas in November, December and January, whereas in the summer months solar thermal panels almost entirely provide the needed energy to prepare hot water. Nevertheless, the annual savings for a single family house are minor and the payback time for the installation of hybrid gas/solar systems could exceed 20 years.
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