Did you know that through leaky windows and doors you can lose up to 30% of the heat from a building? Energy efficiency is a key factor affecting the comfort of housing, the amount of heating bills and ecology. In an era of rising energy costs, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce heat loss and improve the insulation of buildings. In this article we explain what energy efficiency is, how to check it and what actions to take to improve the energy balance of a building. We will also tell you which windows and doors to choose for the best results.
Energy efficiency is the degree of preparation of the building to minimize energy consumption while maintaining optimal conditions of use. That is, the more energy-efficient the building, the less energy is needed for its heating in winter and cooling in summer. The key factors affecting energy efficiency are:
Understanding how energy efficiency works allows you to better manage the operating costs of a building and take care of the environment.
Also read: How to improve the energy efficiency of your home? A comprehensive guide
The topic of energy efficiency of buildings is not only a fashionable slogan — it is real benefits that we feel every day. One of the most important reasons to take care of optimal energy consumption is definitely lower bills. It is estimated that with comprehensive thermal modernization of the building - such as replacing windows, warming walls and upgrading the heat source - heating costs can be reduced by up to 30— 50% per annum. In practice, this means savings of up to 2000—4000 PLN per year in an average single-family home.
Another extremely important aspect is the protection of the environment. By improving energy efficiency, we significantly reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. For illustration: each saved 1 MWh of energy it is about 800 kg less carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. On a year-long scale, even small actions taken in one home can contribute to a significant reduction in carbon footprint.
It is also worth paying attention to thermal comfort in buildings. A well-insulated house and modern heating and ventilation systems allow you to maintain a stable, pleasant temperature without unnecessary energy losses and without having to incur high costs.
Taking care of energy efficiency also translates into increase in the value of real estate. Low-energy buildings are increasingly valued by buyers and investors — both because of lower operating costs and greater concern for the environment, which is becoming an important factor of choice.
Finally, attention to energy efficiency is investment in the future. It is a way to leave a better world for future generations — cleaner air, a more stable climate and greater availability of natural resources. Every decision we make today — from choosing energy-efficient windows to installing solar panels — affects not only our finances, but also the fate of our planet and the quality of life for future generations.
Energy performance certificate is a document that defines the building's demand for energy necessary for its use — mainly for heating, ventilation, domestic hot water preparation and cooling. This document allows you to quickly compare the energy efficiency of different properties and indicates how much energy is needed to ensure the comfort of use in a given building.
Since April 28, 2023, in Poland, the possession of energy efficiency certificates is mandatory when selling or renting buildings and residential premises. This means that both the property owner and the real estate agent must provide access to the current certificate at the stage of presentation of the offer.
The energy performance certificate is closely linked to the energy efficiency of a building — it contains key data such as the annual energy demand index (EP), which shows how energy-intensive the building is. Buildings with high energy efficiency achieve lower EP rates, which translates into lower energy bills and greater attractiveness in the real estate market.
It is worth remembering that the validity of the certificate is 10 years, unless significant changes affecting the energy characteristics of the building have been made during this time (e.g. replacement of the heating system, thermo-modernization).
The best way to assess the energy efficiency of a building is energy efficiency audit. This is a professional analysis that determines how much energy a building consumes and what solutions can improve its efficiency. The performance of the energy efficiency audit shall include:
It is worth adding that from 2025, conducting an energy audit is required when applying for funding under the program Clean Air. This means that those planning a thermomodernization can benefit from government subsidies, but they must meet certain criteria.
If the results of the audit showed large energy losses, it is worth implementing measures to increase the energy efficiency of the building. Among them we can mention:
Warming of external partitions, such as walls, roofs or ceilings, is one of the most effective measures to improve energy efficiency. Properly made insulation can reduce the need for thermal energy by up to 30— 40%. For example, a properly insulated roof reduces energy savings by as much as 15— 20%, which translates into a significant reduction in heating costs.
Leaky window and door joinery is a common problem in older buildings, through which even escapes 25% heat. By investing in modern, energy-efficient windows and doors with high tightness class and suitable heat transfer coefficient (Uw), you can significantly reduce energy losses. In addition, replacing the garage door, especially in houses with a garage connected to the living area, allows you to maintain a higher temperature in the rooms adjacent to the garage.
Outdated heating and ventilation systems generate high operating costs. Replacing an old stove with a modern one condensing boiler or heat pump It reduces fuel consumption by up to 20— 30%. In turn, the application Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (recuperation) allows you to recover to 90% of energy from the air removed from the building, which further improves thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
The next step to improve efficiency is the replacement of old everyday appliances with new models with a high energy class (A, A+). Modern refrigerators, washing machines or televisions can consume up to 40— 60% less energy than their older counterparts. Likewise replacement of traditional light bulbs with LED lighting brings tangible results — LED bulbs consume up to 80% less electricity and have several times longer service life.
Each of these measures translates into a reduction in heating costs and an improvement in the comfort of use of the building.
One of the most important elements affecting the insulation performance of a building are windows. He can even escape through them. 20-30% of heat, which is why choosing the right models is crucial.
Firma Comsta offers a wide range Energy-saving windowswhich meet the highest thermal insulation standards. Among the recommended models it is worth highlighting:
Thanks to the use of modern technologies, these windows not only improve the energy efficiency of the building, but also increase the thermal comfort of residents.
Also read: Windows for a Passive and Energy-Efficient Home
Exterior doorswindows, like windows, play a key role in the insulation of the building. Through a poorly chosen or leaky door, it can even escape 10-15% of heat, which significantly increases the cost of heating and reduces the thermal comfort inside the premises. Therefore, choosing the right doors for an energy-efficient building is of great importance.
Firma Comsta offers a wide selection Energy-saving doorsproducts that meet the highest standards of thermal insulation and safety. Among the recommended models, it is worth highlighting:
You may also be interested in: Passive doors - Everything you need to know!
Energy efficiency of the building depends not only on the quality of insulation or modern windows. They are also increasingly important technological solutions, which seek to achieve energy savings and optimize its consumption on a daily basis. Among the most important are the following:
Mechanical ventilation with recuperation allows constant air exchange in the building without the need for intensive heating in winter or cooling in summer. The recuperation system recovers heat from the air removed to the outside and uses it to heat the fresh air supplied to the interior. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly reduce heat losses associated with ventilation - even o 80% compared to traditional gravity systems.
The installation of photovoltaic panels allows you to independently produce electricity from renewable sources. As a result, the building becomes less dependent on external energy suppliers and its energy balance is improved. An additional element that increases efficiency is the use of energy storage, which allows the accumulation of surplus energy produced and its use during the hours when production is lower or none at all.
Smart Home technologies allow precise management of energy consumption in a building. Smart thermostats, motion sensors, automatic blinds or lighting and heating management systems adapt the operation of the devices to the current needs of residents. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid unnecessary energy losses and maintain comfort of use with minimal consumption of electricity and heat.
Upgrading a building to improve energy efficiency can be expensive, but thanks to the wide range of available financial support programmes — both national and regional — this investment is becoming much more accessible. Here are the most important funding opportunities:
The “Clean Air” program is aimed at owners or co-owners of single-family houses and separate residential premises with their own land register. Its main objective is to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions by:
Important: An energy audit is mandatory when applying for the highest level of subsidy.
You can read more about this program here: Clean Air 2025: Key changes to the programme and their impact on investments in windows and doors
The “Stop Smog” program is dedicated to people living in municipalities covered by anti-smog resolutions, who cannot afford to self-modernize their own thermo-smog.
The thermomodernization bonus is a supplement to the loan taken for the implementation of the thermomodernization project. The program is run by Bank Gospodarstva Krajowego (BGK).
Important: To receive a bonus, it is necessary to conduct an energy audit before starting the investment.
The thermo-modernization allowance provides for the possibility of deducting from the taxable base expenses incurred for:
Energy efficiency of the building is a key aspect affecting operating costs, comfort of living and environmental protection. It can be improved by thermal modernization, which includes warming the building, modernizing the heating system and replacing windows and doors with modern, energy-efficient models. All these types of actions are aimed at reducing the energy consumption of the building.
Energy characteristics of the building is a collection of energy data and indicators of a building or part of it that determines the energy requirements needed for its intended use.
An energy audit is an analysis of the efficiency of implemented or planned modernization, concluded with a report. Execution Energy efficiency audit allows you to accurately determine the places of heat loss and plan optimal repair actions.
It is worth remembering that investment in energy efficiency is not only savings, but also the opportunity to take advantage of government subsidies, e.g. within the framework of the program Clean Air or thermomodernization relief.
Take care of the energy efficiency of your home and enjoy the heat without excessive costs! And if you have any questions, contact us, and our advisors will be happy to help you!
