»Wspólny Dom«, in Szczecin in north western Poland, is a good example of one of the housing co-operatives: 12,000 flats, distributed over five and 12-storey buildings, with 31,000 occupants.
A substantial part of its property consists of buildings made from large slabs and, until a few years ago, they were leaking like a sieve. Heat escaped through the walls, roofs, doors and
windows. The heating supply and the district heating systems frequently broke down.
Now the situation has changed completely, thanks to thousands of Danfoss components and solutions, among other things. For example, 37,000 radiator thermostats, 10,000 valves for district heating systems and 3,000 valves for regulating domestic hot water have meant that the occupants of the co-operative now consume half as much district heating and hot water as they did in 1995.
"We began to limit the heat loss by insulating walls and floors between storeys, among other things. Then we improved the heating system," says Adam Humienik, president of the co-operative.
Several years of targeted efforts have meant that the occupants’ heating bills are actually not as high today as they were in 1995, even though energy prices have increased by 55 per cent during the same period.
Adam Humienik says that the cost of external insulation will be recovered after 13-17 years; while the investments in Danfoss’ valves will be recovered in 18 months to three years.
"Danfoss’ products are very energy-efficient and they have made a substantial contribution to our success," he says, adding that he received constructive support from the local Danfoss representatives.
The cost of heating is twice as expensive
The co-operative in Szczecin is only one example of the huge need for renovation in Poland. Danfoss has already supplied about 20 million radiator thermostats to the country (10 million were installed in housing co-operatives), but the inhabitants are yet to enjoy major energy-savings.
The cost of heating one square metre in Poland is twice as high as in comparable countries. According to estimates, five million buildings need to be modernised within the country.
Considerable financial support is available for projects focusing on energy efficiency and environmental improvements, like the one in Szczecin. The EU Structural Fund’s programme, Infrastructure and Environment, has earmarked 21 billion euros for 2007-2013; there is 18 billion from the Cohesion Fund and also 2.5 billion euros from the European Regional Development Fund.
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