The Energy Agency of Podravje (ENERGAP) held a virtual Study Visit on the energy efficient refurbishment in public and private buildings using the energy performance contracting (EPC) model and collaboration with janitors.
ENERGAP have participated in the refurbishment of an old department store by using the EPC model. The Study Visit illustrated how the model works in practice in Slovenia and presented the before and after images of the refurbished building. The Municipality has decided to use EPC model as the refurbishment was complex and expensive and ENERGAP presented the technical, financial, and legal Good Practices used during the refurbishment project.
ENERGAP also works a lot with schools and kindergarteners to facilitate workshops designed to educate and engage children on energy efficiency. In addition, they monitor the consumption of energy and finds that janitors are crucial to low-carbon strategies. The Study Visit presented ENERGAP’s continuous cooperation with the janitors in designing energy efficiency savings plan and implementing energy savings measures in buildings as another Good Practice.
ENERGAP has fifteen years of experience working with diverse stakeholders in all areas of energy efficiency in buildings. They recognise the importance of engaging with all key players, especially with janitors, in the effort to reduce carbon emissions in public buildings. Janitors are often an invincible workforce but are heavily involved in the energy efficiency of the buildings as they work all hours of the day and are the first to power and adjust settings of the building. Therefore, engagement with key workers of the building is important in optimising energy efficiency of the building. There have been several cases of modern, energy efficient buildings that are poorly managed as users are not well-educated on energy efficiency matters. ENERGAP shares their Good Practice on engaging with janitors, key users of public buildings, to bridge the gap and cooperate with essential workers to effectively reduce carbon emissions of buildings.
Janitors have a lot of useful information that are based on their practical experiences in the field, they know the layout of the building very well, aware of user behaviours and needs, familiar with energy systems in the building and often have innovative ideas or suggestions. However, even though janitors yield the most influence on the energy usage in the building, they are often left out on energy efficiency procedures and learning. ENERGAP has been working very closely with janitors and has taken the time to build good working relations in order to gain trust and support in the project. Workshops have been provided for janitors to share knowledge on topics including energy prices, energy saving, air and temperature, lighting, heat production, hydraulic balancing, energy management and many more.
ENERGAP has developed a new energy management system in collaboration with janitors who often share important energy efficient ideas overlooked by leaders. Since 2018, numerous janitors have taken part in energy trainings which resulted in lower energy use and costs.
To watch the Study Visit visit:
For more information contact:
Energy Agency of Podravje
Institution for Sustainable Energy Use
Maribor, Slovenia
E-mail: [email protected]
