Renovate and maintain

Improve the energy efficiency of your house

Energy efficiency is always worth examining when you are planning to renovate your house.

There are many ways to influence a house’s energy consumption and living comfort:

• improve the thermal insulation of structures,
• increase the efficiency of the heating system,
• ensure appropriate ventilation, and
• correct indoor temperatures.

It is important to examine the house as a whole, in which its different parts – structures, heating, ventilation and the activities of its occupants – have an effect on each other.

The maintenance and adjustment of heating equipment

The condition and adjustments of heating equipment have a significant effect on energy consumption. It is important to know what kinds of maintenance and adjustment measures keep the heating equipment in good condition and make it function energy efficiently. If the equipment is in a poor condition, it may consume too much fuel, for example.

As the owner or occupant, you should carry out only some measures yourself and have the rest done by a professional. Some installation and maintenance work related to heating systems requires qualifications and a licence, in which case you must be particularly careful when having the work done.

Support heating

The cost-effectiveness of heating can be improved by heating room air with support heating that uses renewable energy (air-air heat pump or fireplace) or by directing the heat generated by the support heating (air-water heat pump or solar collectors) either to the heating of domestic hot water or actual heating (a hot-water storage heater).

The replacement of a heating form or system

The replacement of an old heating system becomes topical when the system is in need of a larger renovation. When considering the system’s replacement, you should review the entire system: heat production, distribution and adjustment.

Explore different alternatives and costs with the comparison tool for a detached house’s heating options. It is applicable to both new and old houses.

Air leakage and additional insulation

The most common way to increase the efficiency of energy use is to reduce heat loss.

Heat normally escapes a house via four routes:

• joints and holes in the exterior surface
• passing through the exterior surface
• with ventilation
• through the sewer, with wastewater

By paying attention to the exterior surface (roof, walls and windows) and ventilation, you can save up to several tens of per cent in heating.

In practice, a building’s air impermeability is improved by sealing the windows, adding insulation and improving the heat recovery of ventilation, for example.

Regular maintenance of detached houses

A detached house requires regular, year-round maintenance to stay in good condition. Inspecting and adjusting the HVAC systems helps maintain living comfort and healthy conditions. At the same time, you can influence the energy costs of heating, ventilation, and water usage.

Residential buildings and their heating and ventilation systems vary. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the technical systems of your home, if necessary, together with a professional.
When new devices or systems are installed in your home, make sure to get a proper introduction during the commissioning phase. Keep the user manuals and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for both use and maintenance.

The "Everything in Good Shape" checklist serves as a handy quick guide when you review your home's devices and systems. Record key consumption data and regularly monitor the trends in your energy and water usage.

Download the checklist: Is Everything in Good Shape 2024 (pdf) (301.5 KB)