As winter approaches and energy prices remain high, it’s important to consider how we can improve the comfort and energy efficiency of our homes. But what practical steps can we take to reduce our energy consumption? In the village of Logănești, located in the Hîncești district, many residents have implemented a series of thermal insulation measures in their homes, allowing them to save resources and pay less for heating during the colder months.

Last winter, Elena decided it was time to reduce the amount of wood she used for heating. She started by insulating the ceiling of two rooms in her house and cleaning the stove she uses to keep warm during the winter.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I noticed the difference after the insulation work was done. The effects were felt the very next day. The house became much more energy efficient and I now save up to 40% of the wood I used to use for heating. I used to use about 10 m³ of wood per winter, but now I’m down to 6 m³. Our comfort has improved a lot.” said Elena.

Ion, from the same locality, also had a positive experience. After insulating the ceiling towards the attic of his house, he noticed that these simple yet effective actions helped him reduce the amount of firewood consumed annually.

“After the insulation work on the house, I am completely satisfied because the results were immediately noticeable. The house is only heated with wood, so we calculate the heating costs according to the amount of wood we buy. In previous years we used to buy 15 m³ of wood a year, but after the house was insulated the amount was reduced to 10 m³”.

To save energy, Tudora also replaced three windows and a door in the house and insulated the walls. 

“I noticed the difference instantly – during winter, the house stays warmer for longer, and in summer, it’s cooler inside. Both daily activities and living conditions have improved significantly after the energy efficiency upgrades. During the cold season, I used much less wood compared to previous years.”

Whether you are a homeowner, a handyman or a local mayor, in the framework of the project “MĂ IMPLIC”, the “Energy Efficiency” component, dedicated experts and specialists have developed a number of free materials (guides, leaflets, brochures) for people who own houses with practical recommendations for energy insulation of their homes. These resources are available to citizens, technicians and  local public authorities, providing clear and accessible solutions to reduce the amount of resources used for heating. All materials can be downloaded from this website – https://ma-implic.md/eneff/.

Mirco Keller, project coordinator of the Energy Efficiency (EnEff) project Moldova: “Through this information and support initiative, we aim to provide every Moldovan with the information and knowledge they need to take simple but important steps towards energy efficiency in their homes. In this way, everyone can save money, improve home comfort and help protect the environment. Adopting modern technologies and efficient practices can not only help to reduce energy consumption, but also help to protect the environment, providing an essential solution for a more sustainable and greener future. We encourage everyone to find out first-hand how they can make their homes more efficient and to share this information with those around them.”

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

Anyone interested in improving their home’s energy efficiency is encouraged to visit https://ma-implic.md/eneff/ or contact their local mayor’s office for verified information on how to optimize heat and energy consumption at home.