Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo
Aging residential buildings in urban areas require effective thermal insulation to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the most commonly used insulation material due to its affordability, despite concerns regarding its flammabi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1758 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850188248422285312 |
|---|---|
| author | Florian Teichmann Azra Korjenic Lamija Balić Mirela Idrizović Aldin Turković Amir Ljubijankić Venera Simonović Sanela Klarić |
| author_facet | Florian Teichmann Azra Korjenic Lamija Balić Mirela Idrizović Aldin Turković Amir Ljubijankić Venera Simonović Sanela Klarić |
| author_sort | Florian Teichmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aging residential buildings in urban areas require effective thermal insulation to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the most commonly used insulation material due to its affordability, despite concerns regarding its flammability and environmental impact. While regulatory changes since 2019 have recommended rock wool for high-rise buildings, the absence of binding fire safety regulations has allowed the continued use of EPS, often driven by financial constraints. This study examines energy efficiency refurbishments in Sarajevo’s high-rise residential buildings and analyze the implications of the partial implementation of recommended measures. Using case studies, surveys, and expert interviews, this research identifies key challenges, such as limited funding, fragmented renovations, and inconsistent coordination between stakeholders. The findings indicate that facade insulation is often prioritized over comprehensive upgrades, including window replacement and heating system improvements, leading to suboptimal energy savings and minimal cost reductions for residents. Additionally, the complexity of multi-apartment ownership structures hinders uniform improvements in energy efficiency. Despite these challenges, property values tend to increase after renovation, highlighting the long-term financial benefits. To maximize energy savings and ensure sustainable urban housing, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, improved funding mechanisms, and adherence to fire-safety standards are necessary. These measures would enhance the effectiveness of renovations and support long-term energy efficiency strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6d02b10950354a908e19e4c02dbcd29a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-6d02b10950354a908e19e4c02dbcd29a2025-08-20T02:15:55ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01187175810.3390/en18071758Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in SarajevoFlorian Teichmann0Azra Korjenic1Lamija Balić2Mirela Idrizović3Aldin Turković4Amir Ljubijankić5Venera Simonović6Sanela Klarić7Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, AustriaResearch Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, 1040 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences, International Burch University, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences, International Burch University, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences, International Burch University, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences, International Burch University, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and HerzegovinaDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Natural and Medical Sciences, International Burch University, 71210 Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaAging residential buildings in urban areas require effective thermal insulation to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the most commonly used insulation material due to its affordability, despite concerns regarding its flammability and environmental impact. While regulatory changes since 2019 have recommended rock wool for high-rise buildings, the absence of binding fire safety regulations has allowed the continued use of EPS, often driven by financial constraints. This study examines energy efficiency refurbishments in Sarajevo’s high-rise residential buildings and analyze the implications of the partial implementation of recommended measures. Using case studies, surveys, and expert interviews, this research identifies key challenges, such as limited funding, fragmented renovations, and inconsistent coordination between stakeholders. The findings indicate that facade insulation is often prioritized over comprehensive upgrades, including window replacement and heating system improvements, leading to suboptimal energy savings and minimal cost reductions for residents. Additionally, the complexity of multi-apartment ownership structures hinders uniform improvements in energy efficiency. Despite these challenges, property values tend to increase after renovation, highlighting the long-term financial benefits. To maximize energy savings and ensure sustainable urban housing, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, improved funding mechanisms, and adherence to fire-safety standards are necessary. These measures would enhance the effectiveness of renovations and support long-term energy efficiency strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1758high-rise residential buildingsthermal insulationthermal comfortindoor air qualityenergy efficiencyenergy supply |
| spellingShingle | Florian Teichmann Azra Korjenic Lamija Balić Mirela Idrizović Aldin Turković Amir Ljubijankić Venera Simonović Sanela Klarić Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo Energies high-rise residential buildings thermal insulation thermal comfort indoor air quality energy efficiency energy supply |
| title | Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo |
| title_full | Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo |
| title_short | Evaluating Thermal Insulation Strategies for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Sarajevo |
| title_sort | evaluating thermal insulation strategies for high rise residential buildings in sarajevo |
| topic | high-rise residential buildings thermal insulation thermal comfort indoor air quality energy efficiency energy supply |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1758 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT florianteichmann evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT azrakorjenic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT lamijabalic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT mirelaidrizovic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT aldinturkovic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT amirljubijankic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT venerasimonovic evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo AT sanelaklaric evaluatingthermalinsulationstrategiesforhighriseresidentialbuildingsinsarajevo |