To modernize or not: ecological-economical assessment of multi-dwelling houses modernization

Abstract

Nowadays modernization of multi-dwelling houses appeals greatly to those from landlords to politicians. The key problem that drives the issue is maintenance price, which mainly consists of two elements: (1) huge energy consumption during heating season, and (2) simultaneously rising greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion. Currently, most of the studies highlight particularly an economical aspect although on a global scale an ecological element becomes even more important. Hence the present paper combines both parts but mainly investigates an ecological compound, i.e. greenhouse gas emissions. Although it has been revealed that the binding targets of the Kyoto Protocol were very easily achievable for Lithuania, it is obvious that in the context of climate change a constant decline of emissions is necessary. Therefore, the paper seeks to establish an unconventional treatment of the Kyoto Protocol and its practical application on multi-dwelling modernization. The method aims at decreasing emissions significantly. The two scenarios have been investigated according to which modernization could help cut emissions by 8% or 20% of 1990 levels. Modernization scenarios were evaluated using multi-criteria decision making methods, i.e., COPRAS, WASPAS and TOPSIS according to which optimal option was revealed. The final results have revealed that a complete replacement of windows would help decline total emissions approximately by 30% and thus greatly fulfilled initial expectations.