Search

The article presents an analysis of changes in energy efficiency of new office buildings designed and constructed during the implementation period of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2014–2024). Common criteria on energy efficiency were collected from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and processed. The changes in final and primary energy for space heating, cooling and hot water production of certified office buildings were determined, and the improvements in buildings, their energy systems and energy sources were analysed. It was determined that buildings of Class C, designed between 2006 and 2017, showed an average thermal energy consumption for heating of 61, for cooling of 13 and for hot water production of 30 kWh/(m2·year), while buildings of Class A++, designed after 2020, consumed, respectively, 6, 9 and 17 kWh/(m2·year). The main reasons for these changes in energy consumption are the significant improvement of thermal insulation, increase of renewable energy in the heat supplied by district heating, the use of heat pumps for cooling, more efficient hot water boilers and optimized and insulated distribution pipelines. Even better results were hindered by the increased area of glazing, insufficient use of solar protection, users’ preference for buildings of complex shape, and technically complicated electricity production. The results revealed that EPCs are an appropriate database for the analysis of changes in energy efficiency of buildings and for setting tasks for further improvement.

Currently, the optimization of thermal energy consumption in buildings is considered a suitable alternative in the construction of new buildings, as a result of which the overall energy efficiency of the building increases. Thus, this study examined the efficiency and efficacy of different building renovation packages conducted across several buildings in Latvia and in Lithuania (across a larger building stock). In the first section of this study, 13 multi-apartment residential houses with 3 building renovation packages have been investigated in the city of Daugavpils, Latvia, in order to determine the actual reduction in heat energy consumption across each of the renovation implementation packages. The study findings indicate that changes in Latvian building regulations regarding insulation thickness did not significantly impact thermal energy consumption in fully renovated buildings. However, the combination of facade renovations, upgraded heating systems, and improved ventilation systems resulted in substantial energy savings, with an average reduction of 50.59% in thermal energy consumption for space heating across the reviewed multi-apartment residential building stock. In the following section of this study, the impact of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on building energy efficiency in Lithuania has been examined. The results show that over a 10-year period in the 2000s, Lithuanian building stock experienced a 20% increase in energy efficiency, followed by an additional 6.3% increase between 2010 and 2016. The mandatory requirement for renovated buildings to achieve a minimum energy efficiency class has resulted in significant reductions in energy consumption for heating purposes. The findings underscore the effectiveness of building renovation packages and the EPBD regulations in enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainable building practices. The importance of heat metering, consideration of indoor air temperature, and the need to address indoor air quality during renovations were also highlighted.

This paper provides initial results from experimental work on the durability of external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS). In order to predict service life of ETICS, the accelerated climatic cycle was composed on the basis of earlier scientific research and the statistic data of the Lithuanian climate. The research aims to assess the durability and service life of finishing coat by calculating the amount of moisture while measuring the 24 h water absorption of the samples during water absorption and drying testing either by measuring the changes of bond strength. The offered accelerated weathering cycle could be useful for ETICS manufacturers and it could be used for testing and proof of highly frost-resistant products.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.1.3834

This paper is the research output of the laboratory ageing of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). This was carried out in order to study the changes in properties of systems consisting of combustible and non-combustible thermal insulation materials, and four different types of finishing renders. Four types of the widely used, thin-layer facade rendering systems were subjected to hydrothermal cycles in a climate chamber in conformity with ETAG 004 guidelines. Analysis of the physical and mechanical properties (i.e., variation of temperature, water absorption, bond strength and mechanical resistance) of four types of ETICS are presented. This study indicates that there are no visible defects on any renderings over the junctions between polystyrene foam (EPS) and mineral wool (MW) materials when applied in ETICS.

The aim of the research was to evaluate an influence of floating floor construction specimen size on weighted reduction in impact sound pressure level ΔLW. The large size (area ≥ 10 m2) specimens should be used according to LST EN ISO 10140 series standards. The problem is that produce large specimens is expensive and time-consuming process. So more rapid and cheaper way is to use smaller size (area < 10 m2) specimens and perform measurements in real buildings with similar test conditions as in laboratory. For evaluation of the specimen size influence on reduction in impact sound pressure level ΔLW value sand/cement screed area discreetly was reduced from 13.4 m2 down to 0.5 m2. The test results showed strong dependence of reduction in weighted impact sound pressure level from specimen size. Relying on the test data it was derived relationship which could be applied for the correction of the determined ΔLW values when smaller size specimens (area < 10 m2) of floating floor constructions are used.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.18.1.1350