Public Call for the citizens - Energy renovation of family houses

The Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency is preparing to receive applications for energy renovation of family homes under an HRK 203 million scheme, and individual grants are capped at a maximum of 204,000 kuna.

The ministry of physical planning and construction said in a report published on its website on Wednesday that after the government in mid-May amended the programme for the energy renovation of family homes, the fund published a public call for applications for funding under the HRK 203 million scheme.

Applications can be submitted as of 1 September.

“The aim of the programme is to encourage the implementation of energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources in family houses. That will lead to a reduction of energy required for heating and cooling in residential buildings, and will consequently increase savings in energy and finances and improve the quality of living,” the ministry says.

Family homes account for two-thirds of the country’s housing stock

The ministry underlines that family homes account to 65% of the country’s housing stock, and their energy consumption accounts for 40% of total energy consumption at the national level.

The majority of family homes were built before 1987 and when assessed for their energy efficiency, they were rated in category E for energy performance certificates (EPCs). These constructions consume 70% of energy for heating, cooling, and hot water. According to some estimates, their energy consumption can be reduced by 60%.

The scheme will provide funds for the insulation of external walls, ceilings, and floors, replacement of windows and doors, etc.

Under the scheme, eligible applicants can count on grants to cover 60% of the costs of energy renovation, with grants capped at 204,000 kuna (€27,200).

Croatians at risk of energy poverty will also be eligible to receive assistance to cover 100% of the approved project costs, and 32 million kuna has been set aside for this purpose under the scheme. Social welfare workers and energy assessors will assist citizens concerned to prepare their applications for full coverage of their energy renovation costs.

Energy efficiency in the building sector

The building design and construction sector (i.e. the building sector) accounts for around 40% of the total energy consumption, so energy efficiency of buildings, which means providing minimum energy consumption in order to achieve the optimum comfort of living and use of the building, is very important. Energy consumption of a building depends on its characteristics (shape and structural materials), installed energy systems (heating system, cooling system, ventilation, electrical devices and lighting used), as well as climatic conditions of the region where it is located.

In general, buildings in Croatia were built before 1987 and as such they do not have adequate thermal protection. As many as 83% of the buildings do not satisfy even the 1987 technical regulations, they have high heat losses with the average energy consumption ranging from 150 to 200 kWh/m2, which classifies them in energy efficiency class E! Increased energy consumption implies higher emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere and it is, therefore, essential to implement the required measures in order to reduce excessive consumption and streamline the utilisation of available energy generating products.

Energy performance of buildings comprises a number of different options for saving thermal energy and electricity, with more rational use of fossil fuels and application of renewable energy sources (RES) in buildings, wherever it is functionally feasible and economically justified. Thermal protection of buildings is one of the key aspects because of its high energy savings potential. By improving thermal insulation of the building, it is possible to reduce the total heat losses of the building from 30% to 60% on average.

Energy efficiency measures in the building sector:

Energy audit of the building and energy performance certificate (EPC) which shows the energy efficiency class of the whole building or part of the building;

Increasing thermal protection of the building (installing heat insulation and energy efficient windows and doors);

Increasing performance of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems;

Increasing performance of the lighting systems and electrical equipment;

Use of renewable energy sources.

The implementation of the measures for increasing energy efficiency in the building sector will result in lower energy consumption of the building and, at the same time, better comfort of living and performance of the building. The preference of measures depends on the energy performance and type of building, its purpose and location, and the best option would be to implement several measures ensuring their synergistic effect and to achieve more notable energy savings.

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is implementing energy retrofit programmes that were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and it is co-financing energy efficiency measures in buildings, with a view to reducing the consumption of energy at national level and reducing CO2 emissions.

Building retrofit (renovation) programmes were adopted for different types of buildings, and they are implemented accordingly:

The implementation of the measures for increasing energy efficiency in the building sector will result in lower energy consumption of the building and, at the same time, better comfort of living and performance of the building. The preference of measures depends on the energy performance and type of building, its purpose and location, and the best option would be to implement several measures ensuring their synergistic effect and to achieve more notable energy savings.

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is implementing energy retrofit programmes that were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and it is co-financing energy efficiency measures in buildings, with a view to reducing the consumption of energy at national level and reducing CO2 emissions.

Building retrofit (renovation) programmes were adopted for different types of buildings, and they are implemented accordingly:

Programme of energy renovation of family houses

Programme of energy renovation of multi-residential buildings

Programme of energy renovation of non-residential commercial buildings

Programmes of energy renovation of public buildings

Measures aimed to achieve energy savings in households represent one of significant guidelines of both European and Croatian energy policy, in accordance with the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, and the current Third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

Energy renovation of family houses

 

The Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, and the Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection, adopted on 27 March 2014 the Programme of energy renovation of family houses, which is implemented by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. The goal of the Programme is to increase energy efficiency of the existing houses, to reduce energy consumption and emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere, and to reduce the monthly costs for the energy generating products, with the overall improvement of the quality of living. At the same time, the planning of such interventions implies the engagement of the local companies and experts, meaning it promotes economic activities. The first Amendments to the Programme were adopted in 2015, and the Second amendments in 2020. 

After the adoption of the Amendments to the Programme, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund will continue with the national financing of the Programme of energy renovation of family houses in 2020. On 25 June 2020, the Public Call was invited for the citizens (co)owners of the existing family houses falling in the minimum energy category (according to QH,nd) D or below in the continental part of Croatia, or in the energy category C or below in the coastal part of Croatia.

For the purposes of this Programme, a family house is a building:

• where more than 50% of the gross surface area is used for dwelling, and
• which complies with one of these two requirements: has no more than three residential units, and has the gross construction surface area less or equal to 600 m2.

With up to 60% of grant funding, the citizens will be able to get co-financing to increase thermal protection of all elements of the building envelope of the conditioned area: energy renovation of the exterior wall, ceiling, floor, roof (all the required equipment and works related to improving thermal protection, including, for example, waterproofing, replacement of the structural elements of the roof, etc. – the details will be stipulated in the public call); the replacement of the windows and doors in the envelope of the conditioned area, and a comprehensive energy renovation, which implies a combination of measures on the building envelope and installation of RES systems (systems using solar thermal converters, systems using wood chippings/pellets, air-to-water, water-to-water or ground-to-water heat pumps, and photovoltaic systems for the production of electricity for own consumption).

Detailed technical requirements have been set out in the text of the Public Call, as well as the contents of the application documentation. A person can apply to the Public Call using the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls (they have to register and create a user account first), which must contain the following:

• The main application data (to be filled in online in the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls)
• Copy of the ID on both sides or the electronic records of residence (the e-Citizens system) or the certificate of residence
• The latest valid proof of legality of the family house pursuant to the Building Act
• The Statement form filled out by the applicant and the Statement filled out by other co-owners (link)
• If the house is part of the listed cultural and historical whole, it requires the approval of the competent state administration body responsible for the protection of cultural and natural monuments
• Proof of ownership or co-ownership (land registry certificate in which the recorded owner is the person applying for the renovation, and it is not necessary for the house subject to energy renovation is recorded in it;  or certificate from the court, where the land register has been destroyed or are not available, that they have either been destroyed or are not available and the Title deed from the local cadastral office)
• If the numbers of land plots un he proof of legality and the proof of ownership differ, the certificate has to be obtained from the competent cadastral office stating that the land plots are equivalent
• A detailed estimate of the contractor for the implementation of the measures specified in the report on energy audit, proving these measures will meet the technical requirements stipulated in the public call
• Photo documentation of the as-is situation
• The report on energy audit and the energy performance certificate (not older than 13 November 2012, which is eligible if there were no energy renovation measures implemented on the house, otherwise a new energy performance certificate has to be issued after implementing the measures)
• In the case of installation of the photovoltaic systems, the main design is required, pursuant to the Ordinance on simple and other buildings and works (Official Gazette 112/17, 34/18, 36/19, and 98/19).

The submission of the applications to the Public Call will start on 1 September 2020 (Tuesday) at 9:00.

Until this date, the citizens have to create and activate their user accounts in the e-Application system for the Fund’s public calls, and they will have the option to fill out the application form and upload the required documentation. (The “Apply” button will not become active until 1 September at 9:00.)

More information about the Public Call for the citizens can be obtained by e-mail at: obiteljske2020@fzoeu.hr

After the applications have been processed, the successful applicants granted the Fund’s resources will receive the Decision and Contract on co-financing. The beneficiaries will then have the period of 24 months from the date of signing the contract to implement energy renovation and submit the documentation required for the payment of the granted funding.

Of the total amount of HRK 203 million allocated for the energy renovation of family houses, HRK 32 million has been earmarked for the financing of energy renovation of family houses for the citizens at risk of energy poverty. Under the social criteria, set out in the Amendments to the Programme, which the Croatian Government adopted in May at the initiative of the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, social welfare centres will coordinate certified energy auditors to help in the application process to the citizens most at risk. The envisaged energy renovation measures and the cost of energy auditors for this group of citizens will be fully financed by the Fund.

> Public Call for the citizens at risk of energy poverty    

More information about this part of the Programme can by obtained by e-mail at en.siromastvo@fzoeu.hr

Dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.Working to harvest this knowledge. The pioneering experience of corporations, governments and financiers will be captured, analyzed and made available for others to learn from. Zeljko Serdar, CCRES

CENTRALNO GRIJANJE - osnove

Kako odabrati najbolji kotao za centralno grijanje?

Kad se odlučite za centralno grijanje, predstoji vam još niz odluka u pogledu izbora opreme. Nova rješenja i poboljšanja na ovom planu pojavljuju se svakog dana, pa ih treba pratiti i poznavati. Kako bi bile moguće bilo kakve usporedbe treba poznavati, bar globalno, postojeći izbor. U tom pogledu naše tržište je odlično opskrbljeno, ali kupci su često nedovoljno informirani i skloni različitim sugestijama pa često pogrešno izaberu. U svijetu se smatra da svakih desetak godina treba obnoviti sisteme grijanja.

Ogrijevna tijela, radijatori i cjevovodi mogu slušiti i duže, dok ventile i regulacijske uređaje treba mijenjati što zbog dotrajalosti, što zbog novih i boljih tehničkih rješenja koja su se u međuvremenu pojavila na tržištu. Lako je dokazati da se pogotovo u pogledu štednje, stalno usavršavaju tehnička rješenja peći – kotlova, plamenika i sistema automatske regulacije, pa uštede u eksploataciji mogu ubrzo opravdati troškove zamjene.

Dakako, još je važnije da pri postavljanju novog sistema ne izaberemo elemente koji su zastarjeli i neekonomični.Glavni dijelovi uobičajenih sistema centralnog grijanja su peć – kotao, cjevovodi, ogrijevna tijela, armature (ventili i ostali zaporni elementi), ekspanziona posuda, cirkulacijska crpka, te uređaji za regulaciju i kontrolu procesa grijanja.

Peći – kotlovi

Kao i lokalni izvori topline (peći) i kotlovi se konstruktivno razlikuju prema vrsti goriva, ali i po nekim drugim karakteristikama, od kojih je najznačajnija namjena s obzirom na kapacitet; nije naime jednaka konstrukcija kotlova za tzv. Etažno grijanje, građenih za manje prostore do veličine srednjeg stana i onih za velike sisteme. Prvi često moraju biti prilagođeni radu u samim stambenim prostorijama, bez posebne kotlovnice.

Kao gorivo opet u obzir dolazi kruto, tekuće i plin.

Kotao štednjak

Kotao štednjak je najjednostavija i najmanja konstrukcija, a predviđen je uglavnm za etažno grijanje stanova. Loži se krutim gorivom i posebno je prikladan za manje prostore jer služi centralnom grijanju i kuhanju. Osim toga, omogućuje i najjeftiniju instalaciju centralnog grijanja, jer obično u prostoriji gdje je kotao ne postavljaju se ogrjevna tijela (radijatori).

Kotlovi na kruta goriva i kombinirani kotlovi

Ako računica pokazuje da je loženje krutim gorivom (drvima) najekonomičnije, ne treba se ustručavati i smatrati taj način primitivnim. Danas postoje konstrukcije kotlova na kruta goriva visokog koeficjenta iskoristivosti i stupnja automatizacije loženja. U slučaju kombiniranih, prikladnih na loženje krutim i tekućim , pa čak i plinom ili peletima, neminovno je da svaki način loženja ima svoj stupanj iskoristivosti. Za svako pojedino gorivo u ložištu se razlikuju strujanja i procesi i ono mora biti tome prilagođeno ako se želi dobro iskoristiti. Stupanj iskoristivosti kod kotlova na kruta goriva kreće se od 74 do 82 posto, ovisno o kapacitetu kotla.

Najsigurniji vodič za odabir kotla je znanje, odnosno poznavanje različitih konstrukcija i njihovih osobina.

Pirolitički kotlovi s rasplinjavajućim izgaranjem

Piroliza je jedna od faza izgaranja drva. Na temperaturama iznad 100 °C toplinskim zagrijavanjem iz drva se počinju oslobađati tzv. pirolitički plinovi.

Kod pirolitičkih kotlova, faza pirolize je naglašena zahvaljujući posebnoj konstrukciji kotla, regulaciji i ugrađenom ventilatoru. Kotlovi na pirolizu najčešće imaju dvodjelno ložište i ventilator s promjenjivim brojem okretaja koji dobavlja potrebnu količinu zraka. U gornjem dijelu ložišta dolazi do sušenja drva, njegove toplinske razgradnje i stvaranja žara. Ventilator u gornji dio ložišta dovodi zrak pri čemu u području oko žara dolazi do rasplinjavanja, odnosno intenzivnog stvaranja drvnog plina. Količina dovedenog primarnog zraka u gornji dio ložišta dovoljna je samo za rasplinjavanje ali ne i za potpuno izgaranje. Zbog podtlaka/predtlaka (ovisno o mjestu ugradnje ventilatora) nastali drvni plin prelazi u donji dio ložišta. Prolaskom kroz područje žara i kroz sapnicu, plin se upali i u potunosti izgara. Potpunost izgaranja osigurana je dovođenjem sekundarnog zraka kroz sapnicu. Kvaliteta i izgled plamena podsjeća na izgaranje ulja ili plina na klasičnim plamenicima.

Kotlovi koji rade naglašenim postupkom pirolize imaju stupnjeve iskoristivosti oko 90%. Ovako visoki stupanj iskoristivosti odgovarao bi približno plinskom kotlu loženom na zemni plin. Iz navedenog slijedi da kotlovi na pirolizu mogu godišnje uštedjeti i do 25 % ukupnih potreba za drvom.
Kotlove odlikuje obično dulje vrijeme između dva punjenja (8-12 sati), a navedeno je ovisno o veličini kotla, spremniku topline, vlažnosti drva i sl. Zbog visoke kvalitete izgaranja količina nastalog pepela je vrlo mala. Temperature dimnih plinova kreću se u rasponu od 160-200 C. Većina novih dimnjaka koji se danas ugrađuju, otporni su na prisutstvo kondenzata, a kod starih dimnjaka njegovu pimjenjivost na ovu vrstu kotlova najbolje je usaglasiti sa lokalnim dimnjačarom. Promjer dimnjaka tj. njegova visina određuje se na osnovu tehničkih grafikona ili proračunom. Rukovanje kotlom je jednostavno, a automatska regulacija daje visoki komfor korištenja.

Drva za loženje moraju biti suha tj vlažnosti 15 - 25 %. Navedena vlažnost postiže se ako drva "odleže" cca godinu dana. Drva koja su u istoj godini posjećena i ložena nisu odgovarajuće kvalitete. Povećana vlažnost, osim što rezultira manjom raspoloživom toplinom, ima za posljedicu i stvaranje manjih količina drvnog plina tijekom postupka pirolize, a time se smanjuje stupanj iskoristivosti kotla.

Zbog veliki oslobađanja topline kod pirolitičkih kotlova instaliraju se posebni sigurnosni termički elementi i akumulacijki spremnici za akumuliranje viška proizvedene tople ogrjevne vode. Zavisno od proizvođača ili broja ogrjevnih tijela za svakih 1000W treba se osigurati 40 litara u akumulacijskom spremniku.

Kotlovi na tekuće gorivo

Iako je tekuće gorivo zbog cijene sve manje atraktivno,,i vrijeme buma grijanja na lož ulje je iza nas, mnogi postojeći sistemi još uvijek rade na lož ulje, a zbog dostupnosti energenta grade se i novi sistemi.

Prednosti potpuno automatiziranog loženja, jednokratne nabavke goriva i praktično nikakvog posla s njime, malog potrebnog prostora za skladištenje, dostava na kućnu adresu razlog su što veliki broj potrošača nalazi svoju računicu u tekućem gorivu.

Sami kotlovi na tekuće gorivo jednostavne su i relativno jeftine izvedbe, a redovno su predviđeni za pretlačno loženje putem plamenika.

Plamenik je ujedno i najsloženiji dio takvog postrojenja. Kao gorivo se koristi ekstralako loživo ulje, zbog kvalitete izgaranja i sigurnosti od smrzavanja u zimskim uvjetima. Na samom kotlu može biti ugrađen i bojler za pripremu potrošne tople vode, što ima svoje prednosti i nedostatke.

Crpka za cirkulaciju vode za centralno grijanje, ekspanziona posuda, razne druge potrebne armature u kotlovnici i automatika nabavljaju se i ugrađuju posebno. Stupanj iskorištenja energije redovno je vrlo visok, što zahvaljujući samoj konstrukciji kotla, a što činjenici da je kod pretlačnih ložišta općenito bolje sagorijevanje, pa time i iskorištenje goriva.

Za pravilan izbor kotla potrebno je elementarno poznavanje svih raspoloživih rješenja, jedan je zajednički element , a to je snaga kotla. Proizvođači deklariraju stupanj iskoristivosti i snagu kotla za pojedine tipove i oni moraju biti što bliži, ali iznad izračunatih gubitaka topline. Treba takožer imati na umu da većina kotlova radi ekonomično samo na svom optimalnom režimu, pa se ostavljanje rezerve učinka (kupnjom većeg kotla) ne isplati zbog eksploatacije. U tom pogledu najmanje su osjetljivi plinski uređaji, a najviše kotlovi na kruto gorivo. Ipak kod kotlova na kruta goriva razumna rezerva snage treba biti malo veća nego kod ostalih, s obzirom na velike varijacije ogrjevnih vrijednosti različitih vrsta drva i ugljena.

Kad je riječ o kotlovnici, razumno je da i pripremna potrošne tople vode bude u sistemu, najbolje kao bojler za toplu vodu, posebno izoliran do kotla, volumena prema potrebi objekta, s ugrađenim cjevnim izmjenjivačem putem koje crpka za centralno grijanje cirkulacijom primarne vode zagrijava i njega, uz odgovarajuću automatsku regulaciju. Takav bojler može imati i ugrađen električni grijač koji koristimo za razdoblje sezone bez grijanja. Bojler s dva cjevna izmjenjivača topline izabiremo za spajanje na solarne kolektore.

Hrvatski Centar Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE)