D. Urtnasan lives in the 31st khoroo of the Songinohairkhan district. He built his family's home himself in 2013. However, due to inadequate roof insulation, there was significant heat loss, evident from condensation on windows and heat loss through the roof. In February 2024, Mr. Urtnasan contacted the call center of the "SOAP-II" project, funded by the European Union's SWITCH Asia program. The insulation advisor of the SOAP II project insulated his roof, effectively addressing the heat loss issue.

D. Urtnasan said, "We decided to build the house ourselves to avoid hiring an expert because hiring one was so expensive. However, since I lacked construction knowledge, we forgot to insulate the roof, which caused a lot of heat loss. Later, I found out about the 'SOAP-II' project and contacted their call center to order. The insulation brigade came to our house, measured the roof, and insulated it within a day.

The roof of our house has been insulated using three layers of 5 cm mineral wool. Since the insulation was installed, we have noticed an improvement in the warmth and comfort of our home. Mineral wool, which was used for insulation, is known for its fire-resistance properties, providing an added sense of safety. I frequently travel to the countryside for work, and I was pleased with the prompt insulation material and installation services provided by the SOAP project. Prior to the insulation, we used to burn seven bags of briquettes weekly. However, since last February, only five bags have been enough, indicating a welcome reduction in energy consumption as we head into the spring season.

PEOPLE TEND TO OPT FOR COST-CUTTING MATERIALS DURING HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, WHICH CAN OFTEN LEAD TO NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

B. Munkhbayar, the Director of the Building Energy Efficiency Center at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), emphasizes the importance of strong foundations and effective insulation in house construction. He stresses that complete house insulation is essential, similar to wearing a hat in winter, and is superior to only insulating windows and roofs. Munkhbayar notes that many people choose unsuitable materials, such as ash and sawdust, for roof insulation to save money, despite their ineffectiveness and potential harm. He recommends using breathable insulation for roofs and emphasizes the importance of proper material selection and professional installation. 

Munkhbayar also highlights the challenges posed by inadequately planned and insulated homes in Mongolia, which can impact comfort and resale value. Despite the initial costs, he argues that fully insulating a house, which typically costs 10-20 million MNT, is a wise long-term investment for sustainability. Munkhbayar notes the availability of green loans from various banks such as Khan Bank, Xac Bank, State Bank, and Bogd Bank, as well as loans with discounted interest from Transcapital NBFI, Visionfund NBFI, and GSB Capital NBFI. 

In conclusion, Munkhbayar affirms the project's timely intervention in meeting the increasing demand for green loans, underscoring its relevance and importance.

THE "SOAP-II" PROJECT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE 2022

Since 2018, the "SOAP" project has been dedicated to insulating detached houses in the Ger district of Ulaanbaatar, aiming to reduce air pollution by minimizing heat loss. The current project will be implemented until 2026, in continuation of the SOAP I project (2018-2022)

Financing for the project is provided by the European Union's SWITCH-Asia program, the Abbe Pierre Foundation, the GAGGA Fund, and the French Development Agency. The "SOAP II" project is jointly implemented by the Geres International NGO, Building Energy Efficiency Center of MUST, the Mongolian National Construction Association NGO, the Mongolian Women's Fund, and the Mongolian Green Finance Corporation.

THE ENERGY EFFICIENT CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED BY THE ENERGY AUDITOR UPON COMPLETION OF INSULATION WORK

M. Margad, who is a Marketing and Communications Specialist at "Geres" International NGO, explained that the SOAP II project provides a range of insulation services that cover roof insulation, wall insulation, window improvement, foundation insulation, and floor insulation.

The insulation technology used in this project adheres to the standards established by the Building Energy Efficiency Center under MUST. For instance, roof cavities are insulated with mineral wool, stone wool, and sheep's wool. Window improvements involve the installation of thermally efficient triple-glazed windows. Foundation insulation comprises XPS panels in two layers. Fiber or cotton insulation acts as a porous material that traps air in its pores, serving as an effective heat and sound insulator. Stone wool, a product of volcanic rock, is used for insulating building walls, pavements, inter-floor pavements, and hollow floors.

Insulation work is executed by trained insulation advisors and brigades from the Mongolian National Construction Association NGO. They ensure adherence to proper insulation technology, standards, and quality materials. Upon completion of the insulation work, an energy auditor's certificate will be issued to certify that the work has been carried out to the required standards.

Over the past five years, the SOAP project has helped households avoid 3556 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 2411 fuel consumption. Currently, the SOAP project is in its second phase with a focus on Ulaanbaatar city and has plans to extend to other provinces of Mongolia. 140 insulation brigades were trained during this period, and 1900 families could benefit from insulation services. The project has been planned to run until 2026 to offer energy-saving solutions for 5900 families. It also aims to provide insulation services for 1180 families through green loans, train 16 small micro-businesses in insulation, and collaborate with 11 banks, NBFIs, and savings groups. Additionally, the project is planning to develop five new products.