This study estimates the energy savings potentials of Moscow apartment buildings through different renovations concepts. Also the reductions of the district level energy demands resulting from the possible building level energy savings were estimated. The principles of these energy chain analyses are also described. Most of the apartment buildings in the Soviet Union were constructed between 1960 and 1985, and as a result the urban housing stock today consists mainly of a few standard building types. Energy efficiency of buildings is typically poor. A typical residential district was selected for the analyses. The energy consumption of a typical Russian building was estimated by calculating heating of living spaces, heating of domestic hot water, and the consumption of electricity. The energy consumption of the selected building stock was based on the calculated consumptions of the type buildings. The present state of the district level was studied first, including energy chain analyses. Then the energy savings potentials for three different renovations concepts were estimated. In addition, non-technical barriers to energy efficient renovations are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.