Polish experts went to a site visit in the town of Szczytno.
The Śląska 12 building demonstration took place in August 2025. Organized by the Mazowiecka Agencja Energetyczna as part of the CEESEN-BENDER project, it showcased how energy-efficient multi-apartment buildings can lower costs for residents and improve their comfort. In attendance were technical experts, building managers, board members, and administrators from various Polish homeowners’ associations.
The visit was hosted by Zbigniew Chrapkiewicz, president of the WMS12 housing community, who has been leading the building’s modernization process for more than a decade.
Figure 1: Photovoltaic panels on the balconies of the Śląska 12 building
From insulation to intelligent systems
The building’s history shows how a multi-family residence can be gradually transformed into a model of sustainable modernization. The first steps began in 2008 with thermal insulation, followed by the installation of solar collectors, heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels. Today, the building is equipped with 153 PV panels with a total capacity of 35.7 kW, powering the heat pumps and common areas, and soon also the elevators. A remote monitoring system and a reactive power compensator further enhance efficiency, reducing energy costs by up to 85%.
The community’s future plans are equally ambitious: rainwater recycling, wind energy integration, and the creation of a sensory garden connected to energy storage. This shows that modernization is not a one-time effort but a continuous process open to innovation.
Figure 2: Installations and heat pumps located in the basement of the building
Why is thermal modernization so important?
During the visit, the importance of comprehensive modernization in meeting today’s energy and climate challenges was strongly emphasized. Such efforts deliver multiple benefits: lower bills through reduced heat loss and the use of renewable energy, greater living comfort thanks to stable indoor temperatures in both winter and summer, and increased property value as modernized apartments become more attractive on the market. At the same time, modernization contributes to environmental protection by reducing CO₂ emissions and fossil fuel use, while also enhancing energy independence through the integration of photovoltaics, heat pumps, and energy storage systems.
Figure 3: Presentation by Zbigniew Chapkiewicz on the stages and financial benefits of modernization
Success through collaboration
Participants had the chance to see the installations in action and learn about the entire journey: from residents’ decisions and fundraising efforts to the tangible results—lower bills and improved quality of life. As Zbigniew Chrapkiewicz highlighted, the key to success was transparent communication, consistently showing residents the savings, and building trust in new technologies.
The modernization was financed through a combination of loans, credit, and the community’s own contributions. This approach ensured the investment not only paid off but also delivered long-term economic and social benefits.
Inspiration for others
The example of Szczytno proves that well-planned and consistently implemented modernization brings real results: lower operating costs, increased property values, higher living standards, and stronger resilience to future energy challenges. It also shows that a housing community—through cooperation and openness to innovation—can become a leader in the green transition.
Today, the building at 12 Śląska Street is not just a home for its residents but also a living laboratory of sustainable technologies and an inspiration for other communities in Poland and across Europe.
This demonstration was part of the CEESEN-BENDER project. Learn more here: https://ceesen.org/about-us/ceesen-bender/
The CEESEN-BENDER project has received funding from the European Union Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE 2021-2027) under grant agreement no. LIFE 101120994. The project budget is €1.85 million, of which the EU support is €1.75 million.