Life-cycle thinking demands a shift of attitudes with regard to costs: instead of the initial investment alone, one needs to account for the energy and operating costs over the entire life cycle, which may span from 20 to 50 years.

Energy efficiency considered already in design

We consider the environmental impact and energy efficiency of properties from the very beginning, i.e. the design phase, and evaluate the effects of technical solutions in terms of the entire life cycle. We design technical systems in such a way that they contribute to the energy efficiency of the property and that their maintenance takes up a minimum amount of resources.

Designing the property’s all technical systems as an entity, rather than separately bidding for individual systems, improves the energy efficiency. The new regulations emphasize the significance of total consumption of the property, which further supports the need for design and implementation that integrates all systems.

Our advisory services cover property energy audits and analyses as well as developing the efficiency of technical systems. We also provide advice related to, for example, environmental certificates.

We have own product development and in-depth knowledge related to the use of renewables, such as solar, wind and ground power and seawater cooling or phase change materials (PCM) in heating and cooling properties.

Automation and remote management skimp on energy costs

A majority of emissions derive from energy consumed during the use of buildings. The energy efficiency is increased when technical systems are used only when they are actually needed and they are controlled through automation. Automation ensures that buildings are, for example, heated and cooled only when necessary and that lights are on only when there are people present.

The remote management and monitoring of a building, on the other hand, ensures that whenever the premises are in use their conditions always corresponds with what was agreed. Through remote management we can ensure that operation and maintenance of technical systems is always based on actual needs and that they perform the appropriate measures. It also enables immediate actions, if problems occur. When technical systems are managed remotely, there is no need for a technician to arrive on site for every minor measure.

Comprehensive responsibility for energy use for up to 20 years

In the most extensive forms of cooperation, APIS may assume responsibility for designing, implementing, operating and maintaining of technical systems even for several decades. The target can be a new property, to which we provide technical systems or an existing property going through modernisation. The customer is usually a municipality or some other public sector customer. Life cycle projects are carried out with different financing and contract models, such as Private Public Partnership (PPP).

The project usually begins with an analysis of the property’s energy consumption. Based on this analysis, we will plan measures for increasing the efficiency of systems through, for example, modernisation. After the project delivery, APIS is responsible for the property’s maintenance throughout the operational phase.

No initial investments are needed from the customer, such as a municipality or other public sector customer, since the investment is financed with the realized savings, typically split between the customer and APIS. If the guaranteed savings are not achieved, APIS is responsible for the difference. The savings guarantee is one of our competitive advantages, as few service providers can offer such a service.

Our oldest life cycle agreement began already in 2000. The customer is usually a municipality or some other public sector customer. In the past few years, demand for life cycle agreements has been increasing especially in Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Resource efficiency through waste management

The EU’s directive on waste obligates member states to increase the efficiency of recycling by 2020 in, for instance, such a way that at least half of all paper, metal, plastic and glass waste is recycled. In addition to energy efficiency, APIS contributes to resource efficiency by providing solutions for the collection of waste, among others.

Envac vacuum waste collection system facilitates the waste management of entire residential areas. Using an underground pipe network, waste travels to the collection station, from which it is transported onwards and to be used as recycled material, burned for energy or turned into compost soil. A major part of waste transportation becomes unnecessary, which results in less traffic and emissions and also improves safety and attractiveness of the area.

We help our customers to reach the requirements of environmental certification

Energy efficiency and environmental building certification are decisive factors for our customers when selecting service providers. The environmental classification allows investors, authorities and property users to compare the energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings using uniform methods. Environmental classification is considered to increase a property’s value, the return on invested capital, utility rate and rental income. In addition, a company that operates in green premises has a responsible image.

Buildings must meet certain minimum requirements that, in terms of technical systems, are usually related to the consumption of energy, water and materials. There are several different classification systems, of which the most common in our operating countries are the international classification systems BREEAM and LEED.