Good solutions are available for improving the energy performance of buildings, but hectic timetables and lack of knowledge slow down their implementation. The communal Energialoikka.fi web service provides guidance and good examples for adopting cleaner energy solutions and also encourages neighbours to cooperate.   

What kind of problem is the project trying to solve?

There are already enough well-functioning, cost-effective solutions for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and for taking advantage of renewable forms of energy.  However, their adoption has so far been slow. The change is slowed down by a variety of obstacles such as lack of knowledge and hectic timetables.

In the Energialoikka.fi web service, Finns encourage each other to adopt cleaner and more energy efficient sources of energy for the heating of buildings.

Objective: a communal web service to motivate energy efficiency

The Energy Leap project lead by the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE is building a communal web service, Energialoikka.fi, which helps people adopt cleaner and more energy efficient solutions for the heating of buildings.

The Energialoikka.fi service contains narrative descriptions of energy leaps that have already been implemented. The idea is to duplicate them to as many others as possible: the services can be used to encourage neighbours to join the energy leap.

The service is based on a map, geographic information materials, "example leaps" and communal tools, such as groups and discussion forums. With their help, the user can find his/her own building in the map and obtain information on what kind of energy leaps have already been carried out to similar buildings. At the same time, it is possible to find cooperation partners among one's neighbours: by working together, it is possible to share information, divide planning responsibility and save money, for example, by placing joint orders.

The service will first be built to a pilot area in which geographic information material related to the energy use of buildings will be available.

Expected results?

The idea in the Energy Leap concept is that the energy use of buildings can be pushed towards cleaner and more energy efficient solutions with good examples, peer support and geographic information.

Who benefits?

Everyone interested in energy efficiency – and all Finns as a result of decreasing emissions.