The builder’s ecological responsibility extends throughout the life cycle of the building, says Marko Oinas of YIT.
Geothermal heating is well known for energy renovations in housing associations, but it is also increasingly found in new housing developments. This is due to the growing interest of developers in environmentally friendly energy solutions.
“Geothermal heating is catching on as a heating solution for new buildings, precisely for ecological reasons. Its popularity is growing, even though the initial investment is more expensive,” says Marko Oinas, Acting Head of YIT’s Residential Segment.
YIT’s strategy has long focused on the carbon footprint of construction, but in recent years targets have been set for the entire life cycle of the buildings. Geothermal energy plays a crucial role, as it reduces the energy consumption emissions during the building’s operation by up to 50%, according to YIT. In 2020, Finland’s largest construction company will start building nearly 100 apartments with geothermal heating.
“We also want to take responsibility for the environmental impact of housing and sustainable development. With geothermal energy, heating, cooling and domestic hot water consumption is completely carbon-free, using renewable electricity.”
Consumer and investor customers know how to demand that homes and real estate are green. According to YIT’s Sustainable Urban Environments Barometer, 65% of Finns are concerned about climate change.
“Every day, demand is more and more environmentally conscious. There is also a clear increase in appreciation in the retail market.”
Aries stresses that YIT’s absolute prerequisite for all projects is still “trouble-free life”, i.e. the reliability of the technology and an excellent customer experience. The experience with geothermal heating has been good in this respect too.
“There have been no unpleasant surprises. Of course, you need a competent partner who knows how to dimension and implement the heating system correctly.”
During the summer of 2021, LeaseGreen will deliver geothermal systems to two new YIT buildings in Kallvik, Espoo. The Menninkäinen and Merenneito housing estates will be completed on the seafront by the end of the year.
Seven two-storey terraced houses and semi-detached houses will be built, providing 26 apartments. In total, almost 2,000 metres of energy wells will be drilled.
The geothermal system feeds thermal energy into the underfloor heating and domestic hot water. As part of the service contract, LeaseGreen will also supply automation and a digital remote monitoring system. It monitors the weather forecast and ensures that sufficient geothermal energy is available in all conditions.
The Kallvik sites are a continuation of a collaboration in which LeaseGreen implemented geothermal heating in two similar residential projects in Nupuri, Espoo.
“This is a mega-trend, or at least a strong signal: developers have found geothermal heat for new buildings,” says Simo Nurmi, Director of Heat Production at LeaseGreen.
According to Nurmi, geothermal heating has become an attractive investment for developers. Its trump cards are its environmental friendliness and low running costs. Ecological systems increase the value and desirability of homes and properties.
“These sites go like hot cakes.”
Segment Director (Acting) Marko Oinas, YIT Housing Finland & CEE
+358 40 5067430
marko.oinas@yit.fi
Simo Nurmi, Director, LeaseGreen, Heat Solutions
+358 440 980436
simo.nurmi@leasegreen.com
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