Anders Persson at Löftets gränd.
How can individual tenants save energy and reduce their climate impact. The tenants of Löftets gränd in Umedalen have been given handy tips on this subject during the year.
“This has been a wake-up call for me,” says tenant Anders Persson.
In early 2018, the tenants in Löftets gränd were contacted by the consultancy company Energikontor Norr. They work with projects in renewable energy and are a part of Bostanden’s and Umeå Municipality’s project LEK3, a project aiming to reduce the energy consumption through collaboration.
Anders Persson, who is the chair of the neighbourhood council at Löftets gränd, is one of the tenants who has received tips on how to reduce their energy consumption. These tips include how to heat your apartment. All the apartments at Löftets gränd have a heat exchanger above the kitchen fan. This device can be used in a more climate smart way with the right knowledge.
“I like to have a warm apartment in the winter. But I have realised that I can save a lot of energy by working together with the area landlord to review the smartest way of heating my apartment,” says Anders Persson.
The project has been an eye opener for him.
“My interest in looking at these things has come to life. I discovered, for example, that there was a cold draft by the patio door, so I contacted the area landlord. They sent a handyman over, who needed to make some changes to the door to make it airtight. The apartment was instantly warmer,” he said.
For Anders Persson, a reduced energy consumption is important for several reasons.
“I’ll be honest. The environment is important, of course. But it is also important for me as a pensioner, since I don’t make as much money as before. If I can save a few thousands over five year, that’s a great deal.”
Measurements taken before and after the project show that the energy consumption has been reduced by around eight per cent at Löftets gränd after the spring’s initiative. But further measurements need to be taken before it is possible to determine that the reduction is definitely due to the energy savings project.