“As builders, owners and building managers, we are still focused on finding ways to ensure their energy-efficient operation. When a building reaches a certain age, its reconstruction is the only option. With the maximum use of modern technologies and materials that were not yet available at the time of construction. In the past, energy and water consumption were not as demanding as they are today. For example, Building B, whose modernization we completed in 2022, provides us with demonstrable and easily measurable results in the area of ​​energy savings. The renovation and subsequent optimization of the operation of technologies in 2023 managed to reduce the building's electricity consumption by 55% compared to the state before this event,” explains Martin Unger, Technical and ESG Director of Passerinvest Group.

“One of the partial measures leading to the same savings goal can be the replacement of outdated circulation and circulation pumps. Their consumption represents approximately 10% of the total energy balance of a building. If they are more than 15 years old, modernizing these systems can achieve up to 80% reduction in electricity consumption for their operation. The return on investment can therefore be very fast and is in the order of months. The key to achieving maximum savings and efficiency is, however, cooperation with experts and the implementation of comprehensive system solutions,” says Jan Cidlinský, Managing Director of Wilo for Central Europe.

In an effort to reduce the energy intensity of a property, the owner or manager can use a number of innovations and technologies that can be technically divided into easy and more difficult to implement. Easy-to-implement steps do not require large financial investments and their benefits will be visible quickly, which makes them an ideal starting point. For better orientation, these steps are marked with distinctive pictograms.

Roof and facade insulation

Buildings lose the most heat through the walls and roof, and therefore one of the key measures is their high-quality insulation. This reduces heat loss and increases the comfort of the indoor environment. In addition, modern insulation materials allow for a high level of energy efficiency without the need for major construction modifications. Although, for example, office buildings are relatively well-made, even here, around 20% savings in heating costs can be achieved by insulating the roof. The same energy savings can be expected by insulating the facade.

Insulation of windows and doors

High-quality windows and doors with good seals can reduce heating energy consumption by up to 20%. Although investing in these elements may seem like a high financial cost at first glance, in the long term it brings economic savings within several heating seasons.

External shading of windows and glass surfaces

External blinds represent a modern and effective solution for regulating temperature and light in office spaces, where it is necessary to ensure an optimal working environment for employees. These blinds, installed on the outside of the windows, act as a barrier against direct sunlight, which can cause rooms to overheat and thus increase the need for air conditioning. External blinds will not only ensure a more pleasant environment, but will also reduce the cost of cooling office spaces by 10% to 20%.

Energy-saving lighting

A thorough review of all lighting is also worthwhile. LED lights are much more efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. If you also add intelligent lighting control systems that optimize lighting according to current needs and the presence of people in the room, the energy consumption of lighting will be reduced by 75 to 85%.

Intelligent ventilation control and heat recovery

By introducing intelligent ventilation control including heat recovery, it is possible to achieve significant energy savings in an office building. Intelligent ventilation control systems optimize the supply of fresh air while minimizing heat loss, which leads to more efficient energy use. In addition, heat recovery allows for the recovery of heat from exhaust air, which further reduces energy requirements for heating and cooling.

Intelligent heating, cooling and air conditioning control

The implementation of an intelligent heating, cooling and air conditioning control system in an office building represents a significant step towards modernizing and making energy management more efficient. This process involves the installation of advanced technologies that are able to analyze and respond to various factors affecting the need for heating and cooling in real time. The main goal of these systems is to achieve a pleasant environment for building users while minimizing energy consumption, which brings 20 to 40% energy savings. The modernization should also include the replacement of outdated air conditioners, which often have higher energy requirements.

Heat pumps

Heating office buildings with heat pumps represents a modern and effective approach to ensuring thermal comfort in the working environment. This heating method is characterized by