The national Canemure project, which focused on advancing carbon neutrality in Finnish municipalities and regions, is ending. In Lahti, energy renovations in seven project sites yielded higher emission savings than expected.
Lahti’s subproject, “Low carbon solutions for renovation construction, focused especially on reducing energy consumption and emissions through renovations. Energy renovations resulted in emission savings that were greater than expected in seven properties managed by Lahden Talot, a company owned by the City of Lahti that builds and owns rental housing in Lahti. The monitoring data collected during the project proved valuable, as it provides fundamental insights into the actual cost and environmental impact of measures aimed at reducing energy consumption.
Savings through affordable measures
Calculations made by energy experts confirmed the cost-effectiveness and emission reductions of these renovations. Particularly in properties where water-saving solutions, smart heating control systems, and renewed exhaust fans were introduced, measurable savings were achieved with relatively low-cost measures. Based on the results, the payback period for specific measures could be less than two years.
– We collected and analyzed the data for two years. The estimated energy consumption and emissions data was compared to the measured results obtained afterwards. It was possible to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 104 tons per year, and energy bills were up to €44,500 lower compared to the reference year, says Environmental Coordinator Jenni Rahkonen.
System efficiency depends on proper use
The importance of monitoring and assessing the impact of energy renovations was emphasized during the project.
– Even the best systems won’t work if they are used incorrectly or scaled improperly, Rahkonen notes.
The City of Lahti and Lahden Talot strengthened their cooperation during the project, and results were shared with private stakeholders, such as the Päijät-Häme Property Owners Union. The energy renovations provide examples to other cities and property owners of the concrete benefits of climate work.
Explore the results of Lahti’s subproject to see how a successful energy renovation makes the building more energy-efficient and reduces its carbon footprint.
Successful energy renovation