Thermal protection of residential buildings in the period of energy crisis and its influence on comfort of living

Abstract

It has been noticed within a few years now that energy prices soared all over the world. Apart from growing costs of vehicle fuels, prices of energy used in flats have risen. They take a substantial share in domestic budgets. It poses a problem mainly for residents in countries where the building industry have been using less advanced technologies. The solutions applied there refer both to conditions of the residential resources management and selection of building and decor materials. A response to the need for reducing energy consumption in residential buildings comprises successively corrected and tightened legal rules and regulations concerning thermal protection of buildings. Also, the users themselves undertake independent initiatives aimed at reduction of exploitation costs. However, the issue of improving thermal isolation of buildings is a costly venture, and profits from its implementation are noticeable only after many years. The paper will discuss technical tendencies of thermal protection of newly erected residential buildings (passive buildings, among other things) as well as the older ones, subject to so called thermal modernisation. What is more, the paper will concern the influence the buildings have on the living comfort and possibilities of counteracting negative consequences as far as influence of thermal isolation technologies on people, natural environment and a technical condition of buildings is concerned. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.