Guidance for housing company residents
As a tenant, there are many things you can do to make a difference to the energy and water consumption of your building and the lifespan of its systems. You should also check your electricity usage habits, as small things can also save you money on your electricity bill.
The housing company is jointly responsible for heating and water costs, as well as electricity consumption in common areas such as staircase lighting, outdoor lighting and technical installations. However, the final bill is always paid by the tenant in the form of a contribution or rent. Energy and water costs are usually the biggest cost item for a housing company and therefore the biggest savings potential.
How can I reduce my energy use?
Heating is a major expense in a housing company.
As a resident, you can make a difference to your heating bill by paying attention to the following:
- Monitor the temperatures in your home. Are they suitable? In living areas, the right temperature is around 21 degrees Celsius. Also monitor the temperatures in the common areas when you visit them and contact the maintenance company if there are any anomalies. A radiator with a thermostatic radiator valve should not be warm if the room temperature is above 23°C.
- If the apartment needs ventilation, do a quick cross-ventilation, i.e. open the windows on opposite walls. When ventilating, turn the thermostat to the “on” position for the duration of the ventilation. If ventilation is needed continuously, contact the maintenance company.
- Turn the radiator thermostat on and off a few times in spring, summer and autumn to prevent the thermostat from sticking. However, handle the thermostat with care to avoid damaging it.
- For radiator thermostats to work properly, it is not advisable to have large pieces of furniture or curtains in front of them that block or disturb the air circulation.
- Check the condition of the window and door seals from time to time. Broken seals cause draughts and heat loss. Replacing the seals is usually the responsibility of the tenant.
How can I reduce my water use?
The water use habits of each resident have a major impact on the overall water consumption of the household.
As a resident, you can reduce your water use by:
- The shower consumes a significant amount of water and heating energy without being noticed. It is worth turning off the shower, for example when soaping.
- Around 60% of the water used in the shower is hot water:
A 20-minute shower uses about 240 litres of water, so the cost of a shower is about €1.50. A 5-minute shower costs only €0.40. - When you are buying a new dishwasher or washing machine, compare the water consumption of the appliances, which is indicated on the energy label. There are models on the market today that use less water.
- Dishwasher and washing machine programmes should be used appropriately: do not wash sheds and avoid pre-rinsing dishes with running water. For lightly soiled clothes, a simple airing or a shorter or cooler wash programme may be sufficient.
How can I assess the functionality of ventilation?
When it comes to replacing your home, it is a good idea for each resident to follow things like the list below. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please contact the maintenance company or a representative of the housing association. This will help to find out how the ventilation system is working and correct any problems. You should not try to solve problems on your own.
Follow these air quality issues:
- Is moisture condensing on the inner surface of the innermost window glass?
- Does it take more than 10 minutes for the condensed moisture in the bathroom mirror to evaporate after a shower?
- Are food spills still floating around in your home despite the kitchen ventilation?
- Does the air in your room feel stale when you come from outside to inside?
- Is it a squeaky letterbox or the front door of your apartment?
- Is it difficult to open the front door of an apartment?
- Whether air flows out of the dwelling when the external door is opened.
Tips according to ventilation types
Consider the following for different types of ventilation.
Natural (gravity-based) ventilation
- Make sure to adjust the compensation air valves according to the season: summer or winter position.
- If necessary, blow quickly with a cross-draft. Remember to turn off the radiator thermostat during ventilation. In summer, ventilation should be carried out in the evening and at night, and from the shaded side, so that the air entering the room is as cool as possible.
Mechanical exhaust ventilation
- Try to see if the sheet of paper sticks to the exhaust air valve. The test will tell you if ventilation is on.
- Make sure to adjust the compensation air valves according to the season: summer or winter position.
- If necessary, blow quickly with a cross-draft. Remember to turn off the radiator thermostat during ventilation. In summer, ventilation should be carried out in the evening and at night, and from the shaded side, so that the air entering the room is as cool as possible.
Mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation
- Try to see if the sheet of paper sticks to the exhaust air valve. The test will tell you if ventilation is on.
- Use ventilation as necessary. For example, use an absence or night ventilation mode, as well as a booster when showering, using the sauna or drying laundry.
- Remember to use the summer and winter settings for heat recovery correctly, if these settings are available.
How is a household’s energy and water bill formed in a housing company?
Two examples of energy and water costs in households are illustrated below. The examples show the monthly and annual energy and water costs for three-person and one-person households living in the same block of flats.
Each household pays for both space heating and its share of the electricity in the management fee. The cost of running water is covered by water charges. In addition, each person pays for their own electricity consumption.
Key details of the example apartment
The housing company (2 400 asm2, 40 apartments, 75 residents) does not have individual water metering and water costs are covered by a per-apartment water charge. The water charge covers the costs of water use (cold water, waste water and water heating) and amounts to €25 per person per month.
The average water consumption of the housing company is 155 l/person/day, the raw water and waste water charges amount to 3.6 €/m3 and the district heating to 70 €/MWh. The annual district heating consumption of the housing company is 511 MWh and the cost of electricity for the building is 0.18 €/asm2/month.
3 residents, size of the apartment 75m2
A family of three people uses 2 400 kWh of household electricity per year at a total cost of 17.5 cents/kWh. The monthly energy and water costs for the family are around €200 and the annual costs around €2 400. The costs are divided as follows: heating (space and hot water) 50%, water and waste water 26%, electricity for the apartment 17% and electricity for the property 7%.
1 occupant, size of apartment 30m2
A household with one inhabitant consumes 1 400 kWh of electricity per year at a total price of 17.5 cents/kWh. The monthly energy and water costs per inhabitant are around €85 and around €1 000 per year. The costs are divided as follows: heating (space and hot water) 45%, water and waste water 20%, electricity for the apartment 28% and electricity for the property 7%.
An active shareholder and resident influences the energy actions of the housing company
You can take the initiative to improve energy efficiency. Look at the plans and reports drawn up by the association, promote common issues with the board, the shareholders or the residents’ committee and the property manager.
As a tenant, it is also good to know how much electricity, heat and water the building uses and whether it is low or high compared to other buildings of the same type. You can get this information from your landlord or the board of directors.
- Take the initiative for energy-saving measures at a general meeting or at a tenants’ meeting in a tenant association.
- If you notice any faults or equipment that needs servicing, report them immediately to the property manager or the maintenance company.
- Encourage your housing company to carry out an energy efficiency report, where you can get tips from an expert on how to improve the energy efficiency of your housing company, or an energy audit of your housing company, where you can check the functioning of heating, water and ventilation equipment and suggest measures to save energy.
- Learn about energy efficiency with HSY Ilmastoinfo’s free Energy Expert online course or other useful energy courses for your housing company. Find out more about the online courses offered by Ilmastoinfo (in Finnish).