Strategies for improvement of energy efficiency of residential buildings through retrofitting

PROJECT CODE: BI/BA-19-20-030, ARRS – Public call of international bilateral scientific cooperation between Republic of Slovenia and Bosnia and Hercegovina 2019 – 2020
PROJECT TITLE: Strategies for improvement of energy efficiency of residential buildings through retrofitting
PROJECT TEAM: Anna Malgorzata Sandak, PhD (leader), Andreja Kutnar, Črtomir Tavzes, Dean Lipovac
PERIOD: 01.15.2019 – 31.12.2022
PARTNERS: InnoRenew CoE (Slovenia) and University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (Bosnia and Hercegovina)
BUDGET: 2,000.00 EUR
FINANCING: Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS)

Around 35% of the EU’s buildings are over 50 years old. The restoration of residential buildings has a significant share (65%) of the renovation market. It is estimated that deep renovation of the existing stock, together with nearly zero energy buildings, can save 80% of the final energy use for space heating by 2050. Therefore, one of the challenges for the near future, and a significant opportunity for scientific development and innovation, is upgrading the existing building stock in an effective and sustainable way. Retrofit is now one of the main trends in Europe’s construction industry. Recovering buildings through renovation, rather than demolition, is a common practice but also a vital concern from a sustainability perspective. Energy efficiency of buildings can be achieved through the following strategies: bioclimatic architecture (e.g., shape and orientation of the building, solar protections, passive solar systems), high performing building envelope (e.g., thorough insulation, high performing glazing and windows, air-sealed construction, avoidance of thermal bridges), and high-performance ventilation (e.g., mechanical insulation, heat recovery). The E-REFIT project will identify current trends in reducing the energy demand of residential buildings. The recent tendencies in improving energy efficiency in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be compared and evaluated. The collection of best practices for retrofitting of residential buildings, with the aim to improve energy performance, will be disseminated to a broad audience. It is expected that the E-REFIT project will combine the decision making and design tools dedicated to architects, designers, building manufacturers, technology suppliers, and facilities managers with the overall goal to improve the energetic performance of residential building through retrofitting. Consequently, the E-REFIT project will trigger renovation and promote new collaborative innovation strategies and practices between the involved countries.

InnoRenew CoE project activities

InnoRenew CoE is responsible for providing best practice examples regarding retrofitting of residential buildings in Slovenia, identifying potential barriers in the implementation of recommended retrofitting solutions, and development of strategies for knowledge transfer between participating countries.