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.