Energy Saving Week 7.-13.10.2024
Efficient use of energy and water is important year-round, but this week also marks the National Energy Saving Week, which aims to remind us of the importance of even small daily actions for saving energy. Soihtu has once again signed up for Energy Saving Week, committing not only to reducing its electricity use and making energy-efficiency improvements in its operations, but also to encouraging our tenants to save energy.
Energy Savings through Renovations and Solar Power
Between 2017 and 2022, a major construction project was carried out in the Kortepohja Student Village. The so called Tower buildings A-E were renovated one by one to meet modern residential standards. The energy consumption of these buildings was significantly reduced, and the project received Green Finance funding from Kuntarahoitus.
When comparing district heating consumption in the Kortepohja Student Village’s A-E buildings before and after the renovations (2017-2022), the results have been quite significant. In 2023, the A-E buildings used 51.5% less district heating than in the baseline year of 2016. This translates to an energy saving of 1643 MWh, equivalent to a reduction of 245 tons of CO2 emissions.
Meanwhile, new exhaust air heat pump technology installed at Soihtu Vehkakuja in 2022 reduced district heating consumption by an impressive 52.6%. This resulted in savings of 365 MWh, equivalent to a reduction of 58 tons of CO2 emissions.
Currently, there are 490 solar panels installed across Soihtu’s various properties, with a total output of 200 kWp. In 2023, these panels generated around 100 MWh of energy, reducing the need for purchased energy by the same amount. This corresponds to a reduction of approximately 7 tons of CO2 emissions. For comparison: 100 MWh would be enough to heat five electrically heated detached houses for a year.
The U-building in Kortepohja Student Village, which will be completed in 2025, will utilize both solar energy and geothermal heating. This building will also be the second A-rated energy-efficient building in Soihtu’s properties, alongside Soihtu Korttelikylä.
Tips on how you can influence your energy consumption as a resident in an apartment building:
🔌 Turn off the lights and other electrical devices in your apartment when you don’t need them.
🔌 Don’t place furniture or refrigerators in front of radiators to ensure that warm air can flow into the apartment.
🔌 Make sure that air can circulate above and around your cooling devices.
🔌 When charging batteries for electrical devices, unplug the charger from the wall after charging is complete.
🔌 Avoid using additional heaters in the apartment – they consume a lot of energy and pose a fire safety risk.
🔌 With energy-efficient household appliances, you not only save energy but also water.
See also
An energy renovation project begins at Soihtu Vehkakuja
The construction of the new apartment building starting in Kortepohja Student Village
Kortepohja Student Village awarded with ARA’s Square Metres of the Year 2023 Award
Solar panels will be installed to buildings H and J in the Student Village
More News
Diving in Together
Text: Jenni Kirkkomäki | Pictures: Tiitu Design Expressions, gestures, listening, reacting, and experimenting. These are the building blocks of improvisational theatre. In improvisation, scenes and stories are created without a script. For many...
Our Urban Space
Text: Jenni Kirkkomäki | Picture: Tiitu Design The Uptown, which stretches from the corner of Kirkkopuisto Park to Seminaarinmäki, is Eeva Halkosaari’s favorite place in Jyväskylä. Eeva, who works as a substitute Venue Manager, talks about...
Green Week campaign coming to the housing locations of Soihtu 20th of November
A team of communication students from the University of Jyväskylä is organizing the Green Week campaign together with the Sovatek Foundation on 18.-22.11.2024. By participating in the campaign, you support the Sovatek Foundation's...