Category: Energy Efficiency

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All Energy Efficiency

How to Save Energy and Improve Home Comfort

How to Save Energy and Improve Home Comfort: Recommendations of an Energy Efficiency Expert

Who said it’s complicated to save energy and achieve better results? With a few practical tips and some smart technology, home energy efficiency can become easier and more accessible. Reducing energy consumption and maximizing comfort are simpler when homeowners have the support and guidance of an energy efficiency expert.

Valeriu Meșină is an energy efficiency expert, and over the years, he has helped many homeowners significantly increase the comfort of their homes while saving resources. The specialist explains that among the most common mistakes in households regarding energy education are the lack of knowledge about energy measurement units, the results that can be achieved through consuming a certain amount of energy, and the dangers that can arise from interacting with energy, whether electrical or thermal. He mentions that the most important things a homeowner should know when planning to improve the energy efficiency of their home are: how energy can be obtained and how it can be stored.

“The first step is to analyze the type of heating equipment we use – whether we're talking about an automated boiler or a stove with a specific efficiency. For example, how much wood do you consume to obtain a certain amount of heat? Then, we need to examine the home's thermal insulation and how efficient it is in retaining heat. At the level of electrical energy consumption, it is important to identify the appliances that are efficient and assess their necessity. Sometimes, installing a monitoring and control system can optimize consumption and contribute to increased comfort with reduced energy use,” explains Mr. Meșină.

The expert also mentions that even in older homes, owners can make simple and affordable changes to optimize their energy consumption.

“There are solutions that can increase energy efficiency without major investments, even for homes built years ago. For example, solar air heating panels, which are relatively easy to build and can bring an increase in efficiency of about 20%. Or, for hot water, solar panels can be installed to heat water, even in winter, without additional energy consumption.”

According to the specialist, another important aspect is adequate ventilation of the home to prevent health problems and mold. In this regard, heat recovery units should be installed to minimize heat losses, especially in modern homes where the hardware seals windows and doors very well.

Another key point Mr. Meșină mentions is that energy efficiency education should start in kindergarten. It is essential to teach children to think critically and pass on the necessary knowledge about energy so that when they grow up, they will be able to make informed and efficient decisions.

Whether you are a homeowner, a craftsman, or a local mayor, within the “MĂ IMPLIC” project, the “Energy Efficiency” component, dedicated experts and specialists have developed a series of free informational materials (guides, leaflets, brochures) with practical recommendations for improving home energy efficiency. These resources are available to citizens, technicians, and local public administration representatives, offering clear and accessible solutions to reduce resource consumption and increase thermal comfort in all seasons. All materials can be downloaded from this website – www.ma-implic.md/eneff.

The awareness campaign on the importance of energy efficiency in rural areas of the Republic of Moldova is implemented through the “MĂ IMPLIC” project by Skat Consulting and the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED), with the support of the Swiss Government.

Categories
All Energy Efficiency

A wood stove in the 21st Century? Guidelines for proper design and maintenance

A wood stove in the 21st Century? Guidelines for proper design and maintenance

Installing a stove in a modern home can not only provide an economical source of heat, but also energy independence. Choosing the right stove, optimal positioning in the room and proper maintenance are essential factors to ensure long-term thermal efficiency.

Tudor Burac has been a stovemaker for many years and knows what it means to build a stove that not only provides warmth, but also long-term energy efficiency. From choosing the perfect place for the stove to its annual maintenance, every detail matters when it comes to enjoying comfort and economy during the cold season.

Tudor Burac, stovemaker: "When building a house, together with the architect or designer it's good to analyze where the stove will be placed. The strategic positioning of the stove can increase the thermal comfort of the home, especially when it is placed between the central areas of the house, such as the living room and kitchen. In this way the stove functions as a main heating point and can distribute heat efficiently."

Another important factor for a durable stove is the material from which it is built, the foundation and the chimney. If these elements are correctly determined, the specialist guarantees that the stove can provide years of thermal comfort. Tudor Burac also recommends annual maintenance to prevent slag deposits that can reduce the efficiency of the stove.

Tudor Burac, stovemaker: "Cleaning the interior walls of the stove contributes to better heat transmission and prevents increased wood consumption. Over time, slag deposits on the walls of the stove create a layer that prevents heat from transferring to the brick, acting as a thermal insulation layer, similar to mineral wool. So instead of the heat being absorbed by the brick, it is lost through the drains and goes straight up the chimney. Essentially, we end up wasting money down the chimney."

The stovemaker points out that the way the wood is arranged in the stove also matters to produce the necessary heat. Furthermore, he does not recommend that the fire in the stove should be kept going continuously because the brick from which the stove is built has a limited capacity to store heat.

Tudor Burac, stovemaker: "A well-made fire involves arranging the wood from bottom to top, with the thicker pieces at the bottom and lighting from the top, thus ensuring a clean burn and a constant temperature. For maximum efficiency, I recommend using well-dried wood stored for at least two years."

Whether you are a homeowner, a handyman or a local mayor, in the framework of the “MĂ IMPLIC” project, the “Energy Efficiency” component, dedicated experts and specialists have developed for you a series of free informational materials (guides, leaflets, brochures) with practical recommendations for the energy efficiency of houses. These resources are available to citizens, technicians and local public authorities, providing clear and affordable solutions to reduce the amount of resources consumed and increase thermal comfort in all seasons. All materials can be downloaded from this website – www.ma-implic.md/eneff/.

The informational campaign on the importance of energy efficiency in rural areas of the Republic of Moldova is implemented through the project “MĂ IMPLIC” by Skat Consulting and the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED), with the support of the Swiss Government.