Significant energy savings can be achieved by replacing frames in existing buildings with new high energy-efficient aluminium systems, according to a recent study by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).
By replacing frames, the reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling ranges, depending on the zone and type of aluminium system, from 19.6% to 30.4%, a similar reduction is recorded in carbon dioxide emissions, while thermal comfort is improved by 21% to 27%.
The benefits of replacing old frames in existing buildings with new, highly energy-efficient aluminium systems are, in principle, well known: Reduction of energy consumption for heating and cooling, reduction of the resulting emissions of gaseous pollutants, improvement of thermal comfort, improvement of acoustic comfort as well as the aesthetic and functional upgrade of the dwelling, which is also reflected in its commercial value.
It is, however, of interest to quantify these figures, so that the benefits achieved can be documented in numerical terms and the importance of replacing windows and doors in a large part of the Greek building stock can be made tangible.
This is exactly what the University of Thessaloniki’s Laboratory of Process Equipment Manufacturing, under the scientific responsibility of Professor Agis Papadopoulos, has done.
The results were presented at the recent International Forum on Greek Aluminium organised by the Hellenic Aluminium Association.
The investigation was carried out for a representative city for each climate zone of the country (Heraklion, Athens, Thessaloniki, Kastoria), using the method of dynamic simulation and calculation of annual consumption according to EN13790. As regards the heating/cooling requirements and the efficiency levels of the respective systems, the provisions of the KENAK 2017 were adopted.
Thermal comfort was assessed according to EN ISO 7730 and ASHRAE 55 standards.
From all the results obtained, it is worth highlighting that the reduction in energy consumption for heating and cooling ranges, depending on the zone and type of aluminium system, from 19.6% to 30.4%, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.
Similarly, thermal comfort is improved by 21 to 27%, thanks to the improvement in surface temperatures and the reduction in unintentional ventilation.
Source : alunet.gr
