What is energy efficiency? This is the rational use of energy resources by an economic enterprise, a residential building. In other words, lower consumption of electricity and heat than before, but with the same level of energy supply for industrial processes or real estate. For a more detailed and complete reflection of the degree of energy consumption in Russia, energy efficiency classes were introduced at home. This indicator first of all demonstrates how the specific consumption of electricity and heat deviates from the norm.
Energy efficiency class at home - what is it?
We have established that energy efficiency is the economical use of a complex of energy carriers. In other words, reducing the amount of resources used by modernizing the quality standards for their application.
Energy conservation and energy efficiency are not the same thing! The first concept is the reduction in the use of energy resources. The second is their more correct and reasonable application.
As for energy efficiency classes in Russia, the following are highlighted today:
- A ++.
- A +.
- BUT.
- B +.
- AT.
- C +.
- WITH.
- WITH-.
- D.
- E.
The highest class is A. Residents of houses of this type consume a minimum amount of energy, while ensuring normal life. What is good for homeowners? Lower utility costs. But in general for the country, for the whole planet - an improvement in the environmental situation. The less energy is spent, the less harmful emissions from hydroelectric power stations, thermal power plants, nuclear power plants and so on.
By the way, the classification takes into account energy costs not only for personal, but also for general household needs. Such a model of savings is not new - it has been used in developed countries for decades. It was on the basis of the global standard that the Russian one was built.
How are classes assigned to residential buildings?
On the basis of what is the energy efficiency class of a residential building determined? Base - indicators of energy consumption for the current year. Further, the expert compares them with similar information for the past year. Based on this analysis, the energy efficiency class of a residential building is already determined. The study also helps answer the following questions:
- Why is energy efficiency lost?
- What are the reasons for this?
- What needs to be done to eliminate negative factors?
In the future, it is planned to have its own energy passport for each residential building. It will include all data on the use of energy resources. Labor is not in vain - with a competent approach, residents can save up to 30% of the amount of the “payment” for housing and communal services.
Legislative regulation
Determining the energy efficiency class of an apartment building is a procedure regulated by a set of legislative acts:
- Order of the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation No. 399 (2016). The procedure for assigning and confirming a class is described here.
- Federal Law No. 261 (2009). The theme of energy conservation and improving energy efficiency. This document is the basis for the order in which classes are defined. On its basis, other acts from the list were written and corrected. The latest current edition is 2015.
- Government Decision No. 18 (2009). It contains various energy requirements for residential buildings and other buildings. The rules for determining the energy efficiency of a residential building are also prescribed.
- Order of the Ministry of Regional Development No. 161. Here, at the level of the subjects, the rules for class assignment, requirements for the tablet with them, which are placed on the facade of the MKD (multi-family residential building), are approved. In 2016, the current update of this order was released.
- Decree No. 1129 (2013).The act reflects changes in the requirements for the procedure for determining the class.
Energy Efficiency Class Table
Now we’ll expand on the main topic. To determine the class of energy efficiency at home, you need to be aware of the brief requirements for each of them.
| Class | Name | Deviation of heat consumption (ventilation, heating) from the norm. Percentage inclusive (%) | Energy Efficiency Activities |
| Planning, operation of reconstructed and new buildings | |||
| A ++ | Highest | Below minus 60 | Techniques for economic incentives |
| A + | Minus 50 - minus 60 | ||
| BUT | Minus 40 - Minus 50 | ||
| B + | Tall | Minus 30 - minus 40 | |
| AT | Minus 15 - minus 30 | ||
| C + | Normal | Minus 5 - Minus 15 | |
| WITH | Plus 5 - minus 5 | Events are not developed | |
| WITH- | Plus 5 - plus 15 | ||
| Operation of existing buildings | |||
| D | Reduced | Plus 15.1 - plus 50 | Reconstruction based on business case |
| E | The lowest | Over plus 50 | The choice between reconstruction on the basis of due justification and demolition of the building |
Now we turn to the disclosure of some features of these classes.
Details and explanations
Today it is unacceptable to design houses with an energy efficiency class D or E. Categories A-C are assigned to buildings at the design or reconstruction stage, in relation to objects under construction. Then, when the premises are put into operation, the class is specified as a result of energy examinations and analyzes. To increase the share of AB categories, the state at the level of entities should economically stimulate developers.
The building can be assigned the energy efficiency class of house B, A at the project stage, if the latter includes the following measures:
- Installation of individual heating units, which reduce the cost of circulation in hot water supply when installing automatic control systems and resource consumption accounting (electricity, cold / hot water).
- In common areas, lighting devices with a high level of energy efficiency are provided. For example, with motion sensors.
- Installations for compensation of pumping reactive power, elevator equipment and ventilation are used.
Required data for class definition
To find out the energy efficiency class at home, a specialist needs to have the following information:
- The specific loss of thermal energy through the walls of the building, the degree of tightness of the building.
- The amount of heat required for space heating.
- Technical characteristics of the ventilation system.
- Partition heat indicators between energy consumers with an autonomous system.
- Indicators of energy efficiency indicators (hot years, cooling, heating, ventilation systems).
It is a mistake to believe that determining the energy efficiency class is a long process. Specialists perform this kind of analysis in a very short time.
Methods of auditing energy efficiency of structures
The calculations necessary to determine the class of a building are one of the stages of integrated energy monitoring. It also includes surveys, development of energy saving programs, their implementation. The list of criteria for calculations may include up to 80 points!
Energy efficiency audits are four main ways:
- The method of short-term measurements - take indicators of 1-2 latest engineering systems. The parameters of other equipment are established analytically, by substituting general statistical data.
- With the method of continuous measurements, the indicators of modernized systems are taken at a certain frequency for a specific period of time. Old device data - general statistics.
- Analysis of the equipment of the entire building, including the lighting system.
- Calculation and experimental method: computer calculations, energy modeling.
How are these classes assigned?
We examined how to find out the energy efficiency class of a house.It is equally important to understand the process of its appropriation. The class is assigned on the basis of energy declaration by the bodies of the State Construction Supervision Agency. Its assignment is prohibited for the following objects:
- Religious buildings.
- Objects of historical, cultural heritage.
- Temporary buildings (up to 2 years).
- Individual private houses, garden and garden buildings.
- Buildings with a total footage of less than 50 m2.
- Other facilities defined by the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Assigning an energy efficiency class to a home is eligible for all other buildings. The procedure is mandatory for erected, reconstructed, repaired, operated MKD (apartment buildings). As well as in relation to buildings under which state construction supervision is carried out. For other structures - a voluntary basis.
Who sets and assigns classes?
The definition of the energy efficiency class of an apartment building is the prerogative of energy auditing specialized enterprises. In their actions, they are based on Federal Law No. 261.
And the right to assign an energy efficiency class is exclusive. Only state construction supervision authorities possess it.
Energy Efficiency Labels
How to quickly find out the class of energy efficiency for a simple citizen? It is enough to refer to the plate, which the developer must equip the facade of each commissioned house. The owners of the premises are required to take care of its proper condition, updating information.
The exact location is the left corner of the house, 30-50 cm from the edge, 2-3 meters from the ground. The table shows the inscription "Energy Efficiency Class", its letter (from A to E) and a description of the category (highest, normal, lowest, etc.).
This concludes our acquaintance with a new phenomenon for domestic reality. Determining the energy efficiency class of a house is an additional way to save on the cost of housing and communal services to apartment owners in the MKD.