Abstract
In order to improve energy efficiency, the Croatian government introduced an individual metering obligation for all district heat network users. The purpose of the research was to evaluate this policy measure regarding its effects on tenants’ behavior and energy savings, but also from the perspective of cost-effectiveness. The sample includes approximately 20% of all Croatian users of district heat energy. Energy savings related to the installation of heat cost allocators are calculated by comparing the specific heat energy consumption, corrected for the number of heating degree days, in periods before and after the installation of the heat cost allocators. The cost-effectiveness assessment is based on the concept of the net present value. The transition to individual metering in Croatia resulted in significant energy savings averaged from 20 to 35%. However, low heat energy prices in cities with a dominant share of heat energy consumption did not ensure a positive net present value of investment for all buildings.
Highlights
The European Union’s common goal is to achieve a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system
The energy savings achieved in Croatia as a result of applying the heat cost allocators could be assessed by comparing the results presented in previous studies
The analysis of a longer series including more heating seasons in the future period would provide an answer to the question on long-term sustainability of energy savings achieved in the short-term
Summary
The European Union’s common goal is to achieve a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system. In order to achieve get safer, more secure, sustainable and affordable energy, EU countries agreed and committed themselves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for 40% compared to the 1990 levels, to increase the share of renewable energy to at least 27% of the overall energy consumption and to cut projected energy consumption by at least 27% until 2030 [1]. Increasing energy efficiency in the building sector is essential for achieving the 2030 targets since buildings are responsible for 40% of EU energy consumption [2]. The Member States were, required to set national energy efficiency targets and a range of measures in various sectors, including those related to the building sector, which contributed to achieving the overall EU energy efficiency targets. The Croatian legislation had introduced measures to achieve rational energy consumption and savings in the heating sector
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