VIRONKATU 2
Helsinki zones in on leaky office
Background
Built in 1958, this office building was subject to from highly irregular heat distribution, including over-heating, largely as a result of the leaky windows in other areas. In an attempt to reduce the draftiness of the building, the ventilation system was over pressurised, and ran for every hour of the year.
Building details |
|
|
|
| Type of building: |
Office block |
|
|
| Year of construction/ Floor area/ Operating hours: |
1958/ 5,368 m2; 15,833m3 / 7am – 6pm |
|
|
| Heating and cooling / measures installed |
District-connected central heating, no cooling needed. |
|
|
| Energy label/CO2 emissions |
- District heating
1993: 1026MWh (64.8 kWh/building m3)
2005:544 MWh (34.4 kWh/building m3)
Savings amounting to 47%
 Electricity
1993:471 MWh (29.8 kWh/building m3)
2005:376 MWh (23.7 kWh/building m3)
Savings amounting to 20%
Water
1993:1519 m3 (95 l/building m3)
2005:1635 m3 (103 l/building m3)
A decrease of the performance by 8%
- In 1993 (before the energy audit) the Display classification was:
Energy consumption E
CO2 emissions D
Water consumption C
In 2005 the Display classification was:
Energy consumption C
CO2 emissions C
Water consumption C
|
|
|
ProjectDescription |
|
|
|
| Aim |
The project was based on the voluntary energy conservation agreement between the City of Helsinki and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The agreement sets quantitative and qualitative targets for energy management in municipal operations. One of the targets is to carry out energy audits in 80 % of buildings owned by the City, and then implement the measures suggested. |
|
|
|
|
| Key points |
From the recommendations suggested in the energy audit of Vironkatu 2, the following action was taken:
All windows were renovated at least to the extent that they could be sealed and secured
The ventilation operating hours were reduced to conform to occupancy and the incoming air pressure. Inside temperature was also reduced, as a result of the window improvements. As the building was now less draughty, the previously installed Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) also became far more effective
Sensors were installed in corridors so that they only be lit when needed
Heating and electricity were switched to cheaper tariffs (costs savings only)
_ Although all of the changes were technical, the City of Helsinki, PWD Construction Management/ Life Cycle Services responsible for carrying out the improvements felt that the occupants of the building have become far more energy conscious, as a result possibly leading to further savings. |
|
|
|
|
| Reason for inclusion as Shining Example |
To show that with minor measures and costs relatively high savings can be achieved.
In 1993 (before energy audit) the Display classification was:
Energy consumption E
CO2 emissions D
Water consumption C
In 2005 the Display classification was:
Energy consumption C
CO2 emissions C
Water consumption C
|
|
|
Costs&Benefits |
|
|
|
| Costs &
funding
|
The energy audit was financed by the yearly grant in City’s budget dedicated to improving energy efficiency in all municipal buildings in Helsinki. Energy Audits are subsidized (50 %) by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.The improvements in this project were financed by the user (Department of the City of Helsinki). Usually improvements are financed by the yearly grant in City’s budget dedicated especially to energy efficiency measures in municipal service buildings. |
|
|
| Benefits |
The following benefits have been obtained:
District heating
1993: 1026MWh (64.8 kWh/building m3)
2005:544 MWh (34.4 kWh/building m3)
Savings amounting to 47%
Electricity
1993:471 MWh (29.8 kWh/building m3)
2005:376 MWh (23.7 kWh/building m3)
Savings amounting to 20%
Yearly savings 24,000 euros.
|
|
|
Partners&Roles |
|
|
|
| Partnership details |
The City of Helsinki has a voluntary energy conservation agreement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. One of the targets is to carry out energy audits in 80 % of buildings owned by the City, and then implement the feasible measures suggested.
PWD Construction Management/Life Cycle Services of Buildings is responsible for the implementation of the activities defined in the voluntary energy conservation agreement.
The resources for these measures come from the yearly grant in the City’s budget dedicated to improving energy efficiency.
Helsinki joined the DisplayTM Campaign because it wanted to raise awareness of energy issues within the City, prepare for the EPBD by learning from other cities, and promote Helsinki as a city leading sustainability in Europe.
|
|
|
Recommendations |
|
|
|
| Achievements |
The next challenge in this office building is to maintain the building’s reduced energy consumption after the City’s computer division moved into the offices in the summer of 2005. |
|
|
|
|
| Lessons Learned |
Energy audit is a very effective tool to promote energy efficiency in buildings.With minor measures and low costs, relatively high savings can be achieved. |
|
|
To know more |
|
|
|
| Organisation
name
|
City of Helsinki/PWD-Construction Management |
| Contact |
Ms Ulla Soitinaho; Mr Timo Posa |
| Phone |
+358 9 166 2736; +358 9 166 2433 |
| Email |
Ulla Soitinaho; Timo Posa |
|
|
| Websites |
www.hkr.hel.fi |
| Arrangements to visit |
Contact Ms Ulla Soitinaho; Mr Timo Posa |
<< Back
|
