EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF THERMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TRANSPARENT STRUCTURES

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of energy efficiency challenges in Kazakhstan’s residential building sector. A significant number of existing buildings, particularly those constructed during the Soviet era, suffer from substantial heat loss and exhibit low energy efficiency classifications. This results in increased heating costs and energy waste, especially during the cold season. As such, improving the thermal performance of building envelope components – especially translucent structures such as windows – has become an urgent priority. The study focuses on a typical five-story apartment building constructed in 1968 in Astana. Four window structure scenarios were analyzed, ranging from outdated wooden frames to modern energy-efficient designs. Detailed engineering calculations were performed, taking into account thermal losses, air infiltration, solar heat gain, and internal heat emissions. Findings show that replacing old windows with modern, multi-chamber PVC profiles and insulated glazing units can reduce heating energy consumption by up to 50%. The estimated investment payback period for such upgrades ranges from 5 to 11 years. For newly constructed buildings, the integration of high-performance energy-efficient windows provides an additional 12% reduction in heating demand, with a payback period between 1 and 2.8 years. The authors also emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to improving energy performance, including insulation of floors, walls, and roofs, along with automated heating control systems. The results provide strong technical and economic justification for updating Kazakhstan’s building codes and promoting the widespread adoption of energy-efficient materials and technologies. This research contributes a well-substantiated scientific basis for future sustainable development in the construction sector and supports national efforts to enhance environmental responsibility and reduce energy dependency