Energy Surveys as initial data for repair projects in Fiskars Village

We performed Energy Surveys and U-value measurements in the Aura Forge and Fiskars Brewery buildings in the Fiskars Village, as well as U-value measurements in the village main building, the Manor House.

The surveys took place in November 2018 in compliance with the standard Kulttuuriperinnön vaaliminen. Ohjeita historiallisten rakennusten energiatehokkuuden parantamiseen. (“Cherishing cultural traditions. Instructions on improving the energy efficiency of historical buildings”).

The Energy Surveys will be used as part of the initial data when preparing renovation projects in the Fiskars Village. The client aims to improve the properties’ energy efficiency, plan repair projects and tend to the buildings to prolong their lifecycle.

Completed in 1914, the Fiskars Aurapaja is a building where ploughs used to be made. Nowadays, the building houses stores, workshops and offices. Manor House, the main building of the Fiskars Village, was built in 1816–1822. It currently houses banqueting premises of the Fiskars Group.

Energy Survey determines property’s key energy efficiency measures

An Energy Survey aims to improve the energy efficiency of companies and increase their opportunities to save energy.

The survey includes, among others, a survey of the total energy consumption. The total energy consumed by a business may consist of the energy consumed in its offices, production processes, or the energy consumed by its vehicles in the form of fuel, for instance. The survey also includes property-specific site surveys.

The final report lists the most important energy efficiency measures and reviews the measuring results. The report also includes photos of the site.

Rapid U selected as the survey method based on the client’s needs and the site

U-values were measured at the subject properties in Fiskars. U-value is an indication of the insulation capacity of a structural element, i.e. how well the structure prevents the transfer of heat due to conduction. The higher the value, the more heat escapes from the building. The measurements can be taken fairly freely from the roof, exterior walls, base floors, windows and doors during the heating season.

The buildings studied in Fiskars consisted of approximately a hundred measuring points. A new measuring method, Rapid U, is a cost-efficient and fast way of measuring U-values. One measurement takes approximately one hour, and results from up to 10–20 meters can be simultaneously saved.

Especially in the case of an old building, one can expect major differences in the U-values in different parts of the building. This is because the insulation materials used when constructing old buildings were not of consistent quality, as well as because the structures are worn out and have been subjected to humidity. Due to these facts, the property owner wanted the buildings’ U-values to be comprehensively surveyed. Rapid U was selected as the survey method.

Four of Raksystems’ experts participated in the Fiskars Energy Survey and the measurements. It took them two days to go through the hundred measuring points. Thermal imaging also took place on site as part of the U-value measurements.

Surveys and measurements provide detailed initial data for repair projects

Jerker Fagerholm, Construction Manager of the Fiskars Village, says that the measurements are valuable information when planning repair projects. According to Antti Hatsala, Senior Energy Expert from Raksystems, when compared to traditional research methods, U-value measuring provides important additional information for the planning of repair projects.

“As the client, I receive plenty of important and useful information from the U-values of structures, which can be used as an aid in assessments when planning comprehensive renovations. The measurements offer insight on, for instance, which structures would benefit from additional insulation and which ones should be replaced altogether.”

Jerker Fagerholm, Construction Manager of the Fiskars Village

Surveys will be continued

As the surveys were appropriately performed, Fiskars plans to order more Energy Surveys for the area.

The plan is to change the intended use of some of the buildings in the Fiskars Village. A change always involves the need to improve the buildings’ energy efficiency and prolong their lifecycle. The measurements and surveys provide relevant information on the structural engineering condition of the buildings to assist in planning and decision-making.