Energy efficiency of multi-apartment residential houses with individual heat supply

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the functioning of heating and hot water systems of the discussed houses, to find the reasons for increased energy consumption. Four energy-efficient houses in the Brest region (Republic of Belarus) with apartment heat supply and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery were selected as the object of study. The research methodology of the heating and hot water supply systems of the houses consisted of the following stages: study of project documentation; thermal imaging inspection of building structures and instrumental studies of the operation of heating systems and hot water supply; questionnaire of residents to analyze the nature of their use of the studied systems; processing received data. The values of the operational specific consumption of thermal energy for heating were determined, which doubled the design values equal to 43 kW·h/m2. The main reasons for the excess of the operating specific consumption of thermal energy for heating and ventilation over the design value is the increased heating season compared to the design average for a month and the maintenance of elevated indoor air temperatures in apartments, on average, at +21°C, which leads to increased heat losses. The functioning of the hot water supply system of energy-efficient houses is generally satisfactory for the used design solution, but sometimes due to the specific appartments’ planning leads to an excessive consumption of water and causes dissatisfaction of residents with a long waiting time for hot water with required temperature. Studies have shown that currently, the existing tariff policy in the Republic of Belarus due to low tariffs for gas and thermal energy for the population does not contribute to the efficient use of energy-efficient solutions by the masses of the population, which leads to an excessive consumption of thermal energy in modern residential buildings.