Energy consumption of modern residential houses of the same energy efficient classes

Abstract

The aim of the study is to identify and to compare the design and operation demands of thermal energy for heating and ventilation, the search for the reasons of increased energy consumption. For the study, energy-efficient class B houses were selected in terms of specific heat energy consumption for heating and ventilation, which were put into operation in Brest (Belarus Republic) in 2014-2015. The main method for determining the reasons of increased energy consumption was to study the functioning of the heating and ventilation systems of the discussed houses and to survey residents to analyze how they use heating and ventilation systems. The calculated and operation values of the specific consumption of thermal energy for heating and ventilation are determined. Operational specific heat energy consumption for heating and ventilation turned out to be higher than the project ones by 7.2% to 44.7%. A mismatch was found in the energy consumption of houses of the same class in energy efficiency. The main reasons for this are moisture in building structures, a malfunction in the automation of an individual heating unit, and non-use of installed thermostatic valves to regulate the heat transfer of heating devices. Studies have shown that currently in the Republic of Belarus there is no ground to build residential buildings of a higher energy efficiency category than the considered houses.