Changes in heat transfer coefficients in Poland and their impact on energy demand - an environmental and economic assessment

The percentage share of final energy consumption in the Polish residential sector, in relation to the final energy consumption value in all sectors of the economy, stands at about 30%. Thermal modernization and thermal insulation of both existing and new construction substances in order to reduce the building's energy demand for heating is economically valid. Therefore, continuous regulatory amendments within the capacity of reducing the heat transfer coefficient U of different building elements are desirable. This article examines the economic and ecological benefits which are a result of the changes that took place in the value of the heat transfer coefficient in the regulations. These benefits apply to both new construction and building renovations. The LCA (life cycle assessment) methodology was used for the assessment of ecological benefits. The normative values of the heat transfer coefficient, which are to be implemented in 2017 and 2021, are economically and ecologically justifiable in the Polish conditions. This pertains to thermal insulation materials, applied heating systems and climate conditions. The payback period of economic costs associated with denser thermal insulation (from the requirements of 2014 until 2021) will take place within 2−11 years. The environmental costs will return within the range of 2−6 years, depending on the specific heat source used within the structure.

[1]  Joana Portugal-Pereira,et al.  Economic and environmental benefits of waste-to-energy technologies for debris recovery in disaster-hit Northeast Japan , 2016 .

[2]  Dalia Streimikiene,et al.  The impact of international GHG trading regimes on penetration of new energy technologies and feasibility to implement EU Energy and Climate Package targets , 2012 .

[3]  Wei Yang,et al.  Modeling the development and utilization of bioenergy and exploring the environmental economic benefits , 2015 .

[4]  Heinrich Hebgen.  Verordnung über einen energiesparenden Wärmeschutz bei Gebäuden (Wärmeschutzverordnung — Wärmeschutz V) , 1978 .

[5]  M. Salvia,et al.  Energy systems modelling to support key strategic decisions in energy and climate change at regional scale , 2015 .

[6]  Janusz Adamczyk,et al.  The comparison of thermal insulation types of plaster with cement plaster , 2014 .

[7]  Carlo Ingrao,et al.  Life cycle assessment of CRT lead recovery process , 2014 .

[8]  A González-González,et al.  Energy-environmental benefits and economic feasibility of anaerobic codigestion of Iberian pig slaughterhouse and tomato industry wastes in Extremadura (Spain). , 2013, Bioresource technology.

[9]  Jaime Solís-Guzmán,et al.  LCA databases focused on construction materials: A review , 2016 .

[10]  Anna Lewandowska,et al.  Comparative life cycle assessment of passive and traditional residential buildings’ use with a special focus on energy-related aspects , 2013 .

[11]  Charles Mbohwa,et al.  The use of basalt aggregates in the production of concrete for the prefabrication industry: Environmental impact assessment, interpretation and improvement , 2014 .

[12]  Anna Lewandowska,et al.  Materials composition or energy characteristic – What is more important in environmental life cycle of buildings? , 2014 .

[13]  J. Kurnitski,et al.  Quantification of economic benefits of renovation of apartment buildings as a basis for cost optimal 2030 energy efficiency strategies , 2015 .

[14]  Pantelis Capros,et al.  Analysis of the EU policy package on climate change and renewables , 2011 .

[15]  Jong Ho Hong,et al.  Measuring the economic benefits of an environmental monitoring satellite project: The value of information approach , 2013 .

[16]  Janusz Adamczyk,et al.  Economic and ecological indicators for thermal insulating building investments , 2012 .

[17]  D. Helm.  The European framework for energy and climate policies , 2014 .

[18]  J. Adamczyk,et al.  12 – Life cycle assessment (LCA) of building thermal insulation materials , 2014 .

[19]  Maciej Dzikuć.  Applying the life cycle assessment method to an analysis of the environmental impact of heat generation , 2013 .

[20]  Janusz Adamczyk,et al.  The analysis of suppositions included in the Polish Energetic Policy using the LCA technique—Poland case study , 2014 .

[21]  C. Gazulla Santos,et al.  Using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to develop eco-labels for construction and building materials , 2014 .

[22]  Gjalt Huppes,et al.  Life cycle assessment: past, present, and future. , 2011, Environmental science & technology.

[23]  Agis M. Papadopoulos,et al.  Environmental performance evaluation of thermal insulation materials and its impact on the building , 2007 .