Revolutionizing Energy Savings for Housing Associations: How Riksbyggen is Leading the Charge

As the winter chill envelops Västervik, many housing associations may find themselves shaken by rising energy costs, particularly with district heating becoming a significant burden on their budgets. For BRF Siktet, costs rose alarmingly, leading the board to seek external support. Their partnership with Riksbyggen marked a crucial turning point. Through energy optimization initiatives, the association managed to reduce its consumption by 400,000 kilowatt-hours in a year, which translated into savings of approximately 180,000 kronor. Rasmus Widlund, an energy engineer at Riksbyggen, reveals that the integration of AI technology has enabled housing associations to enjoy average energy savings of 15%, and in some cases, up to 20%. These investments in energy efficiency often lead to quick paybacks, typically within just a couple of years. The positive impact is also evident in residents' day-to-day lives: the AI optimizes temperature control, smoothing out fluctuations caused by changing weather, which not only leads to decreased costs but also enhances residents' comfort and satisfaction. However, energy management can often feel daunting to many boards. Fluctuations in electricity prices, rising district heating costs, and increasing water rates due to municipal system upgrades can overwhelm those responsible for managing these issues. To address this complexity, Riksbyggen has rolled out a new free tool called the Energy Calculator. This user-friendly platform allows housing associations to input their details and receive immediate feedback on potential savings in both kilowatt-hours and kronor. Widlund encourages boards to utilize the Energy Calculator to facilitate discussions around their energy consumption. "With the Energy Calculator, we want to simplify the process for boards, giving them a clear view of achievable savings and the opportunity to book a consultation with our Energy Coach to map out the best way forward," he explains. Riksbyggen is also streamlining its services, introducing a comprehensive energy portfolio that includes options for both AI-driven optimization and Energy Optimization Plus, which features hands-on assessments by energy engineers. This dual approach caters to diverse needs, especially for older buildings that have higher energy requirements and maintenance concerns. The success stories are compelling. For instance, BRF Rörestorpshus 2 in Värnamo has successfully leveraged Energy Optimization Plus to save an astounding 17 million kronor annually. These savings enabled them to fund a window replacement project for 201 apartments without imposing additional fees on residents. Widlund emphasizes the importance for every association to begin with a solid energy plan. This involves conducting property inventories, examining energy needs, and identifying relevant measures. A frequent challenge he notes is the control and regulation of heating and ventilation systems. Proper management of these systems, especially with the assistance of AI, can yield substantial improvements. Furthermore, Widlund highlights the pressing concern around rising water rates. Individual metering has been shown to reduce hot water usage by about 30%, resulting not only in savings for the association but also in a fairer distribution of costs among residents. The initial energy calculations performed by boards often unveil surprising results, revealing savings potential that they never anticipated. "When boards see the numbers, they quickly realize how critical it is to take action," says Widlund. The pathway to achieving energy efficiency doesn't have to be complicated; getting started can be as easy as calculating current energy use, discussing findings in board meetings, and booking a session with an Energy Coach. Riksbyggen’s initiatives are pivotal. They aim not just to assist housing associations in managing their energy consumption but to empower them to take charge of their financial decisions and environmental impact. As they optimize their energy strategies, these associations not only find financial relief but also contribute to a better living environment for all residents. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2