With expert support from Ecoaction, LUN has launched the Residential Building Energy Efficiency Map, which shows how comfortable and cost-effective living in various buildings is — even before buying or renting.
According to LUN’s data, the majority of residential buildings in Ukraine remain energy-inefficient. Buildings without thermal insulation typically fall into energy efficiency classes E–G, which means significant heat loss, lower levels of comfort, and high heating bills.
“Energy efficiency is a practical indicator that directly affects heating costs and the level of comfort in a home. At LUN, we want people to be able to evaluate housing not just by the price per square metre, but also by how much it will cost to live in,” comments Anna Denysenko, Head of Social Responsibility at LUN.
Why this matters
A building’s energy efficiency depends not only on the type of heating but, primarily, on construction technology, the condition of the walls, and insulation. Even centralised heating can be efficient in modernised buildings — with insulated networks, individual heating units, and insulated facades. Conversely, in outdated buildings, heat loss can reach up to 30%, and residents have limited options for regulating the temperature.
That is why building insulation plays a crucial role. Uninsulated buildings lose heat through walls, roofs, and basements, which directly impacts household expenditure during the heating season.
What the map shows
The LUN Energy Efficiency Map aggregates data on residential buildings and allows users to:
- view the building’s energy efficiency class;
- assess potential heat loss;
- compare buildings within the same neighbourhood or city.
The tool will be useful for buyers and tenants, as well as for developers and local authorities, serving as an indicator of the condition of the housing stock.
Currently, the LUN Energy Efficiency Map covers 10 280 residential buildings in Kyiv, marking the first stage of the project. LUN notes that the map is not static — the project will gradually expand to other Ukrainian cities, and information will be updated as new data becomes available.
The data is compiled based on LUN’s information from the primary and secondary markets, as well as data provided by developers. Methodological and expert support for the project is provided by the NGO Ecoaction. In the future, LUN plans to involve homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and building representatives to update information directly from the field.
What’s next
LUN emphasises that energy efficiency is not only a matter of comfort but also a key element of housing policy. Transparent data helps in making informed decisions — from choosing an apartment to planning modernisation programmes for the housing stock.
“In the Ukrainian housing market, buyers and tenants often lack access to clear data regarding the energy consumption of buildings. The Energy Efficiency Map helps make this information transparent even before a property is purchased or rented. At the same time, the energy performance certificate, on which such data is based, is an essential tool for participating in state energy efficiency programmes, such as obtaining low-interest loans, grants, or compensation for insulation,” notes Iryna Klymas, Energy Policy Expert at the NGO Ecoaction.
LUN also encourages chairpersons of HOAs and developers to participate in populating the map and to provide up-to-date data on their buildings. This can be done directly on the platform via the “Add location” and “Provide additional information about the building” buttons.
Link to the Residential Energy Efficiency Map: https://lun.ua/misto/energy-efficiency
Translated from Ukrainian by Ecoaction volunteer Polina Tsybulska.