Energy Renovation of Veržej Primary School Building

The diploma thesis discusses how and in what way to carry out energy-efficient renovation of an existing building. In the introduction, they defined the problem, purpose and objectives of the diploma thesis – that is, to become familiar with the ** procedure of energy renovation ** of a public building, to review and become familiar with the valid European and Slovenian legislation (EPBD 2010 directive, EZ-1, PURES 2 and technical guideline TSG-1-004:2010) and to examine its main requirements using the example of energy renovation of Veržej Primary School. Admittedly, there is a ** difference** between ** legislative requirements for a public building**, for example a primary school compared to a residential house, for example a smaller family house, but as they found, the procedure of energy renovation of any type of building is the same.

Problem

The diploma thesis discusses how and in what way to carry out energy-efficient renovation of an existing building. In the introduction, they defined the problem, purpose and objectives of the diploma thesis – that is, to become familiar with the ** procedure of energy renovation ** of a public building, to review and become familiar with the valid European and Slovenian legislation (EPBD 2010 directive, EZ-1, PURES 2 and technical guideline TSG-1-004:2010) and to examine its main requirements using the example of energy renovation of Veržej Primary School.

Some individuals, investors who decide on energy renovation of a building, interpret the entire project rather simplistically.

Solution and Method

Admittedly, there is a difference between ** legislative requirements for a public building**, for example a primary school compared to a residential house, for example a smaller family house, but as they found, the procedure of energy renovation of any type of building is the same. From the example of energy renovation of Veržej Primary School, it was established that the building in question falls under non-residential buildings, namely public buildings (primary school).

Results

The finding was that the requirements for investment measures ** in the case of energy renovation of Veržej Primary School are approximately 10% ** stricter than requirements for residential and other buildings. Energy consumption in public buildings is most influenced by heating, cooling and lighting systems. The ** building envelope system** also has an impact, which affects the consumption of heat or cold and daylight in the building.

By means of renovation or refurbishment of the building envelope, we reduce the thermal and electrical loads of the building and can thereby achieve visible energy savings. For energy renovation of a building, it is necessary to prepare an action plan on how to approach energy renovation at all. An extended energy audit and site inspection of the condition gives us insight into the existing state of the Veržej Primary School building.

With this, the designer of project documentation arrives at an inventory of the existing state and operation of elements and the building envelope system. The next step is assessment of the suitability of possible measures for energy saving and an action plan describing energy renovation measures. Thus, from the baseline data of the existing state, we anticipate where and what the deficiencies of the building are and examine the procedure for how to properly approach renovation.

Therefore, before major renovation or major energy renovation of a building, it is advisable to carry out an energy audit, inspect the building on site and thoroughly examine all measures that are feasible given the client's financial investment. For baseline data on energy consumption, it is advisable to use comparison of building energy indicators, i.e. '** benchmarking**' with other buildings. This gives us the first results on how energy-wasteful the building in question is.

In practice, according to findings, unfortunately it still happens too often that energy renovations are carried out outside valid regulations and procedures on efficient use of energy. This happens particularly with ** smaller single-family houses, where building owners undertake energy renovation of the building without prior consultation with experts. In this case, the result can indeed be ** lower energy consumption, but investment measure costs can be high and ultimately considerably higher than expected.

In this case, we do not achieve the desired savings, as these costs are not recovered within the desired time period. There can be several reasons why this is so. One of the most common is probably the financial reason.

However, the reason is also incorrect energy renovation procedure from the very concept of how to approach renovation, use of ** unsuitable thermal insulation materials, incorrect ** installation of building joinery, unsuitable ** replacement of systems** for heating to non-compliance with details on the building envelope, where thermal bridges can occur. Precisely so that we avoid such inconveniences, the procedure for proper energy renovation of a building according to valid legislation and regulations is described. Through the example described in the diploma thesis, they wanted to present ** savings** in ** monthly** and ** annual** ** operating costs** of ** heating systems, ** electrical energy and ** maintenance**.

Thus, they found that energy savings can be achieved in several steps, such as: improvements to the heat supply system, ** selection of more energy-efficient products** and ** installation of systems with renewable energy sources**. However, it is important that proper guidance of users towards better habits is added to all these steps. The feasibility of all measures to improve energy efficiency depends on individual measures and the financial aspect of measures.

Findings for individual measures can be assessed by experts in energy renovations, but ultimately it is still the ** client's decision** which measures to improve energy efficiency will be implemented. This is primarily influenced by the aforementioned ** financial aspect of measures**, as nowadays it is very difficult to access funds for financing them. However, savings can be made even with the smallest measures.

For example, by replacing old radiator valves with ** new thermostatic valves, we can already save ** up to 10% of heating energy. If we also include guidance of users towards better habits in use, such as ** closing thermostatic valves when leaving and improving their habits** when ventilating rooms, then these savings can be ** an additional 5-10% greater**. For precise savings in energy consumption for heating and cooling and electrical energy savings, it is advisable to also prepare an energy calculation of the state after energy renovation of the building.

Despite the fact that an energy calculation does not need to be prepared in project documentation – ** PZI, which is a kind of guide for investment and maintenance works. One of the objectives of the diploma thesis was also to ** cost-evaluate the entire ** energy renovation. Investment costs, which were taken from the PZI project prepared by ** Gradal, Bojan Sekereš s.p., are shown in the form of a designer's bill of quantities for works on the facade envelope and a summary final recapitulation of all investment works.

The internal rate of return on investment in energy renovation of the existing building envelope is recovered in the first years typically between 5% and 25% in the form of savings. However, everything depends on the initial state of the envelope, layout of rooms, labour costs, energy prices and financing conditions. However, the final result guaranteed by the correct procedure for energy renovation of buildings, from ** precise project documentation** to ** proper execution** of all renovation works on the building, is a more energy-efficient building with low energy costs and as such is definitely a ** good investment for the future**.