ENERGY SAVING WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GET MONEY?

Tariff growth is forcing Ukrainians to start thinking seriously about energy conservation and the energy efficiency of their housing.

As we have no influence on tariff policy, we can at least learn to spend less. How we can do this without throwing money at it? At least, we can consume less. If you are used to running water when washing or doing dishes – learn to consume water wisely. If you do not unplug electric equipment – start doing this today! Remove furniture and decorations from around the radiators, use short curtains or blinds. But these measures are too local. To achieve more significant results with conservation, it is necessary to implement energy efficiency measures in buildings.

WHAT IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY?

This is the use of a smaller amount of energy than previously for organizing a proper level of energy comfort in the premises and buildings.

How to make a building energy efficient?

First look at the picture which shows where our “fortresses” lose the most heat. Impressive, isn’t it? Actually, when paying for heating of our housing, we also pay for heating the air outside.

What can we do about it?

Here we suggest priority energy efficiency measures that will reduce heat losses in the building and save money.

INSTALLATION OF INDIVIDUAL HEAT SUBSTATION (IHS) AND BALANCING OF INTERNAL BUILDING HEAT SUPPLY NETWORKS (for buildings with district heating)

Why:

•    Control over the amount and temperature of hot water (heat carrier) passing through the pipes and radiators to ensure a comfortable temperature in the premises depending on the outdoor air temperature;
•    Proper water quality, without malignant bacteria, soiling of pipes and radiators;
•    Control over hot water parameters at the heating system entry, compliance with temperature and pressure norms;
•    Metering of consumed heat energy; and
•    Saving up to 50% of heat when combined with the heat insulation of the building.

The installation of meters helps us monitor our consumption and pay only for those resources we consume.

HEAT INSULATION OF OUTER WALLS, ROOFING, UNHEATED ATTIC FLOORS AND FIRST FLOORS

What you should know:

•    Façade insulation should be done only as a whole! Partial (in separate apartments) heat insulation ruins the integrity of the building structures. This reduces their lifespan;
•    Wall insulation should be based on the normative requirements to thermal performance of the building envelope (DBN V.2.6-31: 2006 “Heat Insulation of Buildings” with amendment # 1);
•    When selecting the heat insulation system, it is necessary to take into account properties which can be harmful for the environment or human health. For heat insulation of different parts of building, it is necessary to choose the material which is optimum for the specific operating conditions. Priority properties include: thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, fire resistance, water absorption, resistance to temperature change, etc.;
•    For roofing insulation, it is necessary to take into account the type of its construction, its condition, as well as the existence of primary heat insulation; and
•    For floor insulation over non-heated premises, keep in mind the high probability of moisture condensation between the insulator and the floor. This causes the dampening of building structures, with a subsequent worsening or loss of heat protection properties.

Partial heat insulation cannot be considered an energy efficient measure because its installation does not only violate norms, but also may cause damage to the building structures and will not last long. On the contrary, the comprehensive heat insulation of the building will almost double halve heat expenses.

RECONSTRUCTION OF WINDOWS AND DOORS

For window replacement, it is important to take into the account proper level of air exchange because new windows can seal the premises and ruin its ventilation mode.

Losses of heat through windows can be reduced in two ways: either sealing existing windows or installing new energy saving windows. In the first case, heat losses decrease by 50-65%, while preserving a healthy microclimate. Installing new PVC windows adds heat not only due to absence of gaps, but also due to the special glass coating which ensures the penetration of sunlight from the outside (passive heating) but prevents heat losses from the inside. In general, window sealing or replacement increases the temperature in the room by 4-5°С. Heat losses can also be reduced when the entrance vestibule is organized, doors are heat insulated and a mechanical door closer is installed.

If the windows are sealed in the common area and the doors are repaired, the temperature in the apartments (depending on the scope of measures) will increase by 2-3 degrees! Whatever you decide to do first of all, remember that you should not waste time.

Waiting today will increase your expenses for energy efficiency measures in your building in the future.

A simple but important measure for energy efficiency improvement is installing energy saving (LED) bulbs. Their useful life is much longer and your expenses for electricity will decrease by 80-90%.

But after you learn about the whole list of measures to be implemented in your building, you can ask a question: “Where do I get money for all these energy efficient improvements”?

STATE SUPPORT FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION

In order to create incentives for the populace to implement energy efficiency measures, the government has launched a state program on support of energy conservation.

This program compensates homeowners for part of the loans taken out to procure energy efficient equipment and materials*. 

In partnership with the SAEE, lending is also provided by the following state banks: Oshchadbank, PrivatBank, Ukrgazbank and Ukreximbank.

* Find more information on SAEE web site: www.saee.gov.ua

For a bank to see the potential borrower in you and to be willing to work with a multi-apartment building, you need to establish a legal entity called a condominium.

LOANS UNDER THE STATE PROGRAM

OSHCHADBANK provides loans to condominiums and housing and construction cooperatives. Borrower requirements include: existence of the condominiums and housing and construction cooperatives is not limited; 2/3 of co-owners of the building voted at the general meeting “FOR” the implementation of the project at the expense of the loan; the borrower has no lawsuits pending, and the level of payment collection is not less than 85%.
Terms: loan period – from 6 months to 5 years; maximum loan amount – up to 100% of the project amount, but not more than UAH 42,000 per apartment; no own contribution; interest rate – from 18.5% to 18.8% per annum; front-end commission – 1% of the loan amount/credit limit.

OSHCHADBANK provides loans to the populace under the program “Economical Home”. Every citizen aged 18+ can receive a loan. Terms: period – up to 3 years; loan amount – from UAH 1,000 to UAH 50,000; down payment – from 10%; interest rate – 17.99%; front-end commission – 4.3%.

UKRGAZBANK provides loans to condominiums and housing and construction cooperatives. Borrower requirements: 2/3 of co-owners of the building voted at the general meeting “FOR” implementation of the project at the expense of the loan.
Terms: period – up to 10 years; loan amount – up to UAH 10 million; interest rate – 19.5% if less than 1 year, 20.5% – if over 1 year; front-end commission – 1.25% of loan amount; no own contribution and no mandatory insurance; collateral/mortgage – not required.

UKRGAZBANK provides loans to the populace. Every citizen aged from 21 to 65 can be a borrower.
Terms: period – up to 3 years; loan amount – from UAH 1,000 to UAH 50,000; own contribution – from 10%; interest rate – up to 17.5%; front-end commission – 4.3%.

PRIVATBANK provides loans to condominiums and housing and construction cooperatives. Borrower requirements: 2/3 of co-owners of the building voted at the general meeting “FOR” implementation of the project at the expense of the loan; the condominiums and housing and construction cooperatives and their managers have no lawsuits pending; existence of an account with Privatbank. Terms: period – up to 36 months; amount – up to UAH 500,000; interest rate – up to 18%; no down payment; no front-end commission. The loan is repaid monthly in equal portions throughout the whole lending period.

PRIVATBANK provides loans to the populace. Every citizen aged from 21 to 65 can receive a loan upon the availability of “Universalna” bank card. Terms: lending period – up to 24 months; loan amount – up to UAH 50,000; interest rate – 0% – if less than 55 days of loan use; no front-end commission and down payment.

UKREXIMBANK provides loans to the populace. Every citizen aged 18+ can receive a loan.
Terms: without collateral: loan from UAH 5,000 to UAH 50,000, up to 3 years, advance payment from 10%, interest rate 25%, without insurance, front-end commission – 3%; with collateral: interest rate from 23.8%, period – up to 5 years, collateral is insured, loan amount – up to UAH 600,000, but it is determined based on the borrower’s solvency and income level, front-end commission – 1.2%. Early repayment – without sanctions.

You can find more information on the web site of the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine www.saee.gov.ua and web site of the USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine.