The USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project (USAID Project) developed a business plan for the thermal modernization of t kindergartens # 15 and # 231 in Kryvyi Rih. The document will enable the municipality to attract almost UAH 10.4mln of investments for implementing energy efficiency measures. This includes UAH 5.6mln from  the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) and a UAH 3.7mln grant from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership Fund (E5P).

The kindergartens selected for thermal modernization were recognized as the least energy efficient kindergartens in the city. The building of kindergarten # 15 was built in 1934. It is connected to the district heating system, and as there is no district hot water supply (HWS) in it, domestic electric water heaters have been installed. The single-pipe heating system of the building has been in operation for over 35 years, the pipes are sludge bound, and some emergency replacements have been made with plastic pipe. The heating system distribution pipelines, which go through the unheated basement are largely uninsulated. The condition of the insulation in the insulated sections is unsatisfactory. Most of the windows are wooden double-frame windows. They require replacement.

Kindergarten # 231 was built in 1970 and is connected to the district heating system. As there is no district hot water supply, domestic electric water heaters have been installed. The double-pipe heating system of the building has been in operation for 45 years, the pipes are sludge bound, and some emergency replacements have been made with plastic and reinforced plastic piping. The distribution pipelines of the heating system are not insulated, and are affected by corrosion. The wooden windows have gaps, deformations and rotting, and require replacement.

The business plan includes: heat insulation of the walls and flooring with 100 mm and 150 mm mineral wool, respectively, installation of 40 local recuperating ventilation units in the rooms, replacement of old windows with energy efficient plastic windows. Plans include the installation of two automated individual heat substations:  81 kW capacity for kindergarten # 15 and 140 kW capacity for kindergarten # 231, to reconstruct the heating system (with pipe insulation) and internal lighting systems with use of the energy efficient lighting fixtures. It is also planned to install solar collectors to cover HWS needs.

In general, implementing these thermal modernization measures on the two public buildings will reduce annual electricity consumption by 11,000 kWh, and heat energy consumption by 953 MWh. The amount of greenhouse gas emission will reduce by 219 t a year. It is expected that total savings will be over UAH 1.5bln per year.