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The average outlay on energy per square meter is 12.67 euros for houses and 16.53 euros, 30 percent higher, for apartments, it appears from the 10,000 energy profiles filled in on the website of Estonia's state-owned energy group Eesti Energia.
Energy outlays of apartments 30 pct higher than those of houses in Estonia - survey
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Although it is estimated that apartment houses account for most of household energy consumption, it is homes where the biggest energy savings have been achieved, Eesti Energia's energy efficiency project manager Teet Kerem says in a post on the company's blog.
According to Kerem, such a big difference between energy expenses of homes and apartments arises from the fact that homeowners are more motivated to invest in saving energy. "The main question is whether responsibility is shared or not. In the case of a private house it is mostly one family that is responsible for the arising and payment of energy costs, therefore there is more interest in solutions that offer an opportunity to save costs," Kerem explained.
The difference between the energy consumption of homes and apartments is mainly caused by insulation and heating expenses. The energy profiles show that 55 percent of houses and 33 percent of apartments have insulated walls. The roof, attic and basement are insulated in 56 percent of houses and 34 percent of apartments. With regard to replacement of windows, the situation is more equal - new windows have been installed in three fourths of both houses and apartments.
Of the residents of apartment houses who filled in the energy profile, 59 percent use district heating which is one the most expensive types of heating next to electricity and oil. The cost of district heating may differ several times depending on the region and can be around three times more expensive than using a geothermal or air-water heat pump for heating. In private houses stove heating is the most common but in recent years the use of heat pumps also has grown significantly.
Data of the state register of construction works show that nearly 70 percent of existing homes and 94 percent of apartment houses have energy class D or lower.
Eesti Energia's energy profile has been filled in by 5,000 homeowners and 4,500 apartment owners.