Environment

Kojamo’s most significant environmental impact comes from the carbon dioxide emissions caused by our property stock’s energy consumption. We continuously strive to improve our energy efficiency. Our principle is to use energy as smartly and efficiently as possible without compromising the quality and conditions of housing.

Continuous monitoring, maintenance and required repair work ensure energy efficiency in our daily work. Over 90 per cent of Kojamo’s properties are connected to a remote monitoring system for energy and water consumption.

Leanheat reduces energy consumption

Kojamo uses the Finnish Leanheat solution, which utilises predictive artificial intelligence to automatically adjust a building’s heating based on the actual temperature inside the apartments and the weather forecast. Leanheat helps improve indoor air quality and comfort of living and reduces the energy consumption of buildings. Leanheat typically reduces heating costs by approximately 10 per cent.

Buildings connected to the Leanheat system have temperature and humidity sensors that collect data and help the system to learn the building’s characteristics and optimise the indoor temperature. The system also analyses changes in humidity, which helps to identify deficiencies in ventilation, for example, and can prevent potential negative impacts on tenants.

Leanheat uses weather forecasts to predict heating needs, which allows the properties to be pre-heated so that heating them during the anticipated consumption peaks can be avoided. This reduces emissions, because carbon dioxide emissions are at their highest when reserve power plants must be used to balance the consumption peaks. During consumption peaks energy prices are also at their highest, so smart heating not only reduces emissions but also costs.

Heating and electricity in the property portfolio

The housing stock is largely (99 per cent) heated with district heating purchased from local district heating companies. District heating is usually generated in cities efficiently using combined heat and power systems. Peaking power plants are needed only during the coldest winter months.

The electricity used in the shared facilities and outdoor areas of our properties is produced using carbon-free energy sources. Our customers conclude their own electricity agreements with their preferred energy company.

Kojamo participates in flagship initiatives

We are committed to the Rental Property Action Plan (VAETS II), in which the target is energy savings of 7.5 per cent between 2017–2025. The plan consists of a housing stock that was built by the end of 2016. Since 2017, Kojamo’s own new construction projects have consisted of nearly zero-energy buildings.

In Kalasatama, Helsinki we collaborate on building a SunZEB block that will take quality and energy efficiency to the level of future standards. The concept has the buildings functioning as the source for renewable solar energy.

All Kojamo offices are WWF Green Office certified. Kojamo has been one of the developers of the Green Office concept in Finland and the company’s head office in Helsinki has been a Green Office since the programme was launched in 2002. The aim of the Green Office scheme is to help offices reduce their environmental load, to increase employees’ environmental awareness and to achieve energy savings.

Page updated 6 March 2024