Improving the Energy Performance of Public Buildings Equipped with Individual Gas Boilers Due to Thermal Retrofitting

Abstract

The article assesses an impact of thermal retrofitting on an improvement of the energy quality of public buildings in terms of their heating. The analysis covered a group of 14 buildings, including schools, kindergartens or offices, while energy audits were carried out for 12 of them. The indications of individual gas meters were the source of actual data for the assessment of changes in energy consumption indexes in operating conditions. The analysis showed a clear improvement in the energy quality of buildings; however, the actual effects were much lower than forecasted. The average forecasted decrease in energy consumption was supposed to be 64.3%, but the measured data showed only 37.1%. The investigation confirmed that the most complex refurbishing provided the most satisfactory decrease in energy consumption (51.4% of real decrease in energy consumption), while objects with partial thermal refurbishing reached an efficiency of only 21.8%. It was stated that in operating conditions, special attention should be paid to the manner of energy use, since different indicators of energy consumption can be obtained with the same parameters of building’s balance cover. The results obtained can be further utilized in thermal-refurbishment implementation procedures. Follow-up investigations on the impact of selected parameters on energy consumption are planned.

Audit-Based Energy Performance Analysis of Multifamily Buildings in South-East Poland

“…The authors also presented a correlation between primary energy consumption and A/V ratio. Similarly, a group of 14 buildings, including schools, kindergartens and offices, was studied in [38]. The calculated (audit) savings of energy for space heating were higher than measured and ranged from 37.6% to 77.1% in comparison to 21.8-60.5%.…”

A review of sustainable technologies for energy efficient upgrade of existing buildings and systems

“…The research established an understanding of the mechanisms that lead to improved energy and indoor thermal comfort performance. In Poland, Życzyńska et al [65] discussed concerns of energy for heating purposes after a comprehensive retrofitting of two kindergartens and seven schools. The study applied data gathered over a period to understand the energy effects after retrofitting exercises were undertaken.…”

Ocena jakości wykonania dotychczasowych termomodernizacji i próba klasyfikacji charakterystycznych problemów za pomocą dwupoziomowej termografii

“…Jednak wymienione badania [11−16] dotyczyły głównie budynków jednorodzinnych lub użyteczności publicznej, nie uwzględniano budynków wielorodzinnych. Przeprowadzona analiza źródeł ciepła w budynkach użyteczności publicznej, prowadzona przez zespół lubelski [17] potwierdziła, że tylko kompleksowa termomodernizacja może zapewnić satysfakcjonujący poziom rzeczywistego spadku zużycia energii cieplnej (nawet o 51,4%). Natomiast obiekty poddane częściowej termomodernizacji osiągnęły sprawność 21,8%, czyli uzyskano ponad dwukrotnie niższy efekt sprawności niż zakładano w projekcie.…”