Buildings\ncause about one third of our CO2 emissions and about 40% of energy\nconsumption in Finland. Improving the energy efficiency of existing\nbuildings is one of the most powerful ways to reduce CO2 emissions.\nIn-use emissions have been reduced by 30\u201370% thanks to various\nrepairs and alterations. Moving on to use renewable forms of energy\nas well as adjustments to heating and ventilation reduce the need to\nbuy energy and the amount of emissions significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\nis a table depicting the impact of various repair measures on heating\nenergy consumption in a typical apartment house (reduction is about\nthe same in a private home).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is one of the most powerful ways to reduce CO2 emissions. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland, ARA<\/a>, grants subsidies for total energy efficiency improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\nis a good idea to improve energy efficiency when renovating for any\nother reason. In addition, the building code requires improvement of\nenergy efficiency in connection with permitting building renovation\nor conversion if it is technically, functionally and economically\nfeasible. For example, if you need to renew the roof, it is a good\nidea to improve flat roof thermal insulation at the same time and\nprepare for solar panels. The benefit of an energy efficiency\nimprovement will be lost for decades if it is not combined with\nrenovation now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buildings\nand structures from different periods require choosing the most\napplicable renovation methods. Energy efficiency improvement is a\ndemanding measure to be taken using an expert and an experienced\ndesigner. Usually the most rational way to improve the energy\nefficiency of a building is phase by phase in connection with other\nrenovation. These measures usually require a building or action\npermit. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nbuilding is a unit in which the heating and ventilation systems and\nthe envelope all affect each other. Each house and its residents are\nunique, and design must be tailored to meet their baseline. You\nshould live in an old house for a year before starting renovation to\ndecide which measures are really necessary. Listen, observe and\nunderstand your building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By renovation, as by any construction, you\u2019ll consume natural resources and produce emissions. That is why it is a good idea to avoid unnecessary demolition and to recycle as much as possible of the dismantled material and parts. If you decide to use new materials and parts, choose those made of local renewable materials and suitable for recycling.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nRead more about this topic:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- Housing company energy manual<\/a><\/li>
- Ministry of Environment renovation portal <\/a><\/li>
- Ministry of Environment\u2019s website to avoid energy loss<\/a><\/li>
- City of Oulu Building Control\u2019s renovation specifications<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Buildings cause about one third of our CO2 emissions and about 40% of energy consumption in Finland. Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is one of the most powerful ways to reduce CO2 emissions. In-use emissions have been reduced by 30\u201370% thanks to various repairs and alterations. Moving on to use renewable forms of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[44],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n