Award-winning renovation of the apartment building on Pavla Horova Street in Bratislava: modernization, savings and ecological solutions
Apartment building on Ulici Pavla Horova 17 – 19 v Bratislave has become an example of high-quality and innovative apartment building renovation in Slovakia. As part of the Stavba roka 2016 (Building of the Year) competition won a prestigious award in the category “Apartment building – reconstruction and renovation”, mainly thanks to the extensive modernisation of the technical systems and the application of eco-friendly solutions, which ensured greater efficiency, comfort and significant energy savings.
Our company Syners, as the contractor for the part “Heat pumps, boiler room construction and modification of the original heating system”, was there throughout and played a key role in the success of the project.
What else is behind the project’s success?
Complete renovation of the building’s technical systems
As part of the renovation of an apartment building, we carried out complete replacement of the internal pipework comprising the risers, drainage, gas and electrical systems. The aim was to improve the safety, reliability and energy efficiency of the entire building.
- Water supply pipework: The old pipes were replaced with stainless steel with a press-fit system, which is suitable for drinking water distribution and has a long service life.
- Sewer piping: Noisy risers were removed and replaced with soundproofed systems with fire-protection collars.
- Gas piping: The old gas pipes were replaced with copper ones, whereby it was a new main control unit was also installed.
- Power supply: Modernization of electrical wiring provided greater safety and better energy management.
- Vzduchotechnika: The apartment building contained the old asbestos ventilation ducts, which during the renovation were removed and replaced with safe galvanised piping.
After the renovation, the entire system underwent hydraulic balancing, in order to ensure even heat distribution and optimal functioning of the heating system.
Special features of the renovation: Energy savings and ecology in practice
One of the main goals of the apartment building’s modernization was energy efficiency. Conventional solutions, such as façade insulation, were supplemented with advanced technologies, which at the time of the project were not yet commonly used in apartment buildings.
1. Decentralised ventilation system with heat recovery
In order to ensure better air quality and minimised heat losses, each apartment was fitted with an individual heat recovery system. This system controlled ventilation works on the principle of heat recovery:
- Fresh air from outside is preheated by the waste air extracted from the rooms.
- Heat losses are minimized, which would otherwise occur with conventional airing through open windows.
- Heat recovery units are individually for each apartment, with their outlets visible on the window reveals.
This solution increases living comfort and significantly reduces energy costs for heating.
2. Photovoltaic system on the roof
Installed on the roof of the apartment building were 40 photovoltaic panels with a tilt of 20°. These panels enable direct use of solar energy to power the common areas and other systems in the building.
In addition to photovoltaics, solar energy is also used for domestic hot water (DHW) heating through solar storage tanks. In this way, the residents save a considerable amount of energy, which would otherwise be needed to heat water using conventional sources.
3. Heat pumps instead of district heating (CZT)
One of the most fundamental steps during the modernisation of the apartment building disconnection from the district heating supply (CZT) and the switch to heating with air-to-water heat pumps.
- The apartment building was fitted with four powerful heat pumps.
- Pumps draw heat from the air, thereby significantly reduced their heating running costs.
- This system produces no emissions, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional central heating.
Thanks to this step, the residents gained greater energy independence, lower costs and comfortable heating without heat price fluctuations from district heating (CZT) systems.
The importance of modernisation for the future of apartment buildings
The renovation of the apartment building on Pavla Horova Street 17 – 19 in Bratislava showed that comprehensive modernisation does not have to be just about insulation and window replacement, but may include advanced eco-friendly solutions, which reduce energy dependence and improve the quality of living.
Main benefits of the completed renovation:
✅ Significant energy savings thanks to a combination of photovoltaics, solar storage tanks and heat pumps
✅ Improved air quality and comfort thanks to heat recovery
✅ Safer and more reliable technical equipment – replacement of piping, electrical wiring and drainage
✅ Eco-friendly, emission-free operation – thanks to the use of renewable energy sources
✅ Energy independence from district heating (CZT) – teplo si obyvatelia generate themselves
Tento projekt bol pioneering not only within Slovakia but also in the wider region, because it combined modern technologies into a single functional whole, which will provide long-term low housing costs and a minimal environmental footprint.
Apartment building on Ulici Pavla Horova 17 – 19 is a showcase example of how innovative technologies can be implemented in practice into older residential buildings. Ocenenie Stavba roka 2016 only confirmed that this renovation represents a benchmark for future apartment building renovations.
This project proves that quality modernization can deliver not only comfort and safety, but also real savings and energy independence for residents.
