Authors

Murgul Vera A.
INCREASING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE HISTORICAL AREA OF ST.-PETERSBURG

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №4 (40) December, 2012

Housing growth in the central boroughs of Saint-Petersburg and extremely high energy consumption rates in the existing buildings create an acute shortage of heating resources.

The purpose of this study is to develop a package of actions to improve the energy efficiency of the residential properties in the historical area of Saint-Petersburg and to make up for the shortage of heating energy, which seems to be inevitable in the context of infill construction in the central areas. This is particularly important, given the limited capacities of the city centre’s energy network.

The author has systematized methods employed for improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

A concept is proposed for improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings under reconstruction through the use of energy-saving technologies and renewable energy sources.

A methodological approach to the residential energy efficiency problem in the historical area of Saint-Petersburg is put forward. This approach implies reviewing the historical and cultural value of a building and allowing for limitations imposed by the heritage conservation codes.

The author suggests a package of practical solutions to increasing the energy efficiency of the residential buildings in the historical area of Saint-Petersburg.

The author’s work demonstrates the potentialities of a building as a consumer but also as an accumulator and source of energy. The emphasis is shifted from improving the heat engineering properties of the enclosing constructions to producing and saving energy within the contour of the building.