Installation of individual and autonomous heating systems in residential projects can increase the cost of construction, but the demand for such an option on the part of buyers is gradually growing, said Ukrainian developers interviewed by Interfax-Ukraine.
“The issue of heating is one of the key for buyers – they study this aspect very carefully at the stage of initial consultations. Potential residents are interested not only in the technical characteristics of the system, but also in stability, autonomy and cost of operation,” the press service of Alliance Novobud reported.
As the developer noted, the format of heating is selected individually for each project, taking into account the location, technical capabilities, scale of the complex and the needs of future residents. Thus, Alliance Novobud projects provide for both their own boiler houses and centralized heating.
The feasibility of this or that format of heating is determined at the design stage. However, if necessary, it is possible to adjust technical solutions at the stage of implementation to optimize costs and improve efficiency without significantly affecting the overall cost of the project, explained in Alliance Novobud.
PGD installed generators in the previously designed complex already at the realization stage. In new projects, the developer is integrating autonomy into the concept and envisages its own boiler houses and solar power plants.
“It is fundamental for us that these issues are not left on the shoulders of the residents. We calculate and implement all solutions centrally, at the developer’s level. People want to be sure that the apartment will be warm, the elevator will work, the gates on the parking lot will open, and the access system will not stop due to power outages,” – said the press service of the developer.
According to PGD, this approach slightly increases the cost of project realization, but reduces the costs of operation in the future.
According to the construction group “Synergy”, the cost of heating from its own gas boiler house is about one third lower than from the centralized city system. In addition, the developer’s Irpen project is equipped with individual boilers in each apartment.
“The issue of heat in apartments is very relevant, there were many requests for individual heating, as well as for a warm floor. Independence from city repairs and seasonal hot water shutdowns, the official start of the heating season is important for residents”, – explained the developer.
An important component of the heating system is also its own generators, which ensure the operation of the boiler room and engineering systems of the house in case of shutdowns.
“People prefer autonomy and energy independence. That is why a generator, individual heating, energy efficiency of apartments, no unnecessary heat loss, uninterrupted water supply are real advantages. After the first blackout in the winter of 2022, these questions are more relevant than ever for sales visitors,” Greenville noted.
According to the experts of the company, the centralized heating system has a number of disadvantages, including high cost of connection, high level of wear and tear of networks, significant heat losses during transportation of energy carriers. Therefore, for its projects in Kiev, the developer has chosen the device of roof gas boilers and individual heating point.
Among the advantages in Greenville named technical flexibility of boiler rooms, environmental feasibility, cost-effectiveness and payback of the system. In addition, the high efficiency of individual boilers, automatic regulation and weather-dependent control optimize energy consumption.
“The payback period of an individual rooftop boiler plant is usually three to five years due to savings on tariffs and heat losses. Another advantage is technical flexibility. The system is easily adapted to different load modes (heating, hot water supply, summer period). And, finally, it is about environmental feasibility. Modern gas boilers have low emissions of nitrogen oxides and CO”, – explained in the company.
As noted by the executive director of the developer “Real” Igor Ferenc, roof boilers and individual boilers are also a necessary solution in the old districts of Lviv, which are not provided with centralized heat supply.
In Kiev, the choice of heating system for the project is dictated by a number of factors: location, available infrastructure and technical and economic feasibility, said the project manager of the capital’s business-class housing Maxima Residence Artem Sebba.
“We analyze the presence of nearby heat or gas networks, compare the cost of implementing different solutions and take into account the future costs of operation. In new projects we focus on solutions that allow us to reduce dependence on external suppliers and ensure more stable operation of the system”, – said the expert.
According to him, additional autonomous solutions in case of heat or power outages are considered for each project separately, because they affect the cost of construction and further operation.
The Enso development company, after a feasibility analysis, chose the centralized heat supply option for its projects. As explained in the company, the feasibility of the selected types of heating systems is determined by comparing the cost of connection, capital costs of construction and the projected costs of operation for residents
Adjustment of projects at the implementation stage may require additional resources and time, taking into account additional approvals and revision of project documentation, the developer noted. But the projects provide for the possibility of installing backup or alternative equipment.
“Such a decision did not affect the overall cost of project implementation, and the operating costs of residents remain at the level of market averages for residential complexes with centralized heating,” explained the developer.
