Efficiency of Different Balcony Slab Modernization Method in Retrofitted Multi-Family Buildings

Beata Sadowska and Piotr Bieranowski
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Beata Sadowska: Department of Energy Efficient Construction and Geodesy, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Piotr Bieranowski: Department of Mechanics and Basic Machine Design, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 2 Street, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-28

Abstract: Many buildings have considerable thermal bridges at the junction of balcony slabs with walls. To achieve the new EU directive targets related to energy efficiency, greater attention should be paid to such design details. This study analyzes the efficiency of traditional balcony slab modernization methods, the use of modern insulation materials and a new alternative system: an added self-supporting light balcony system (LKBD) in retrofitted large-panel buildings. The main objective was to capture cost-effective renovation methods from both the heat loss reduction perspectives and risk of surface condensation. The analyses, carried out in four buildings, have shown that at current costs, the thermal modernization of balconies is not economically efficient ( SPBT > 98.4 years). However, it is necessary because leaving the balcony slabs without insulation or only insulating them from the bottom carries the risk of surface condensation. The most cost-effective renovation method is to insulate the balcony slabs from below and above with the thickest possible XPS layer ( SPBT = 98.4 years; 107.4 years). Replacing XPS with modern material increases SPBT by almost 50%, for the LKBD system, SPBT = 269.2–281.5 years. More favorable energy and economic effects related to the reduction of balcony thermal bridges were achieved in the wall with lower insulation.

Keywords: balcony slab; thermal bridges; THERM simulations; building envelopes; large panel residential building; internal surface temperature; energy analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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