Building technology makes a home functional, safe and healthy. A three-year Finnish campaign is now targeting demanding consumership. It is stimulating occupants and constructors of private homes to see what significance building technology has on creating a pleasant life.

"We want to increase consumers' understanding of what significance building technology choices and investment have on the pleasantness, healthiness and safety of housing and later housing costs. Choices once made affect home occupancy for decades ahead," says Ilkka Salo, the managing director of the Finnish Association of Mechanical Building Services Industries.

The campaign, which was started by the Association last year, underlines the importance of specialist professionals for achieving a top-quality final outcome. Emphasis should be laid at the building stage on choices affecting the long-term future, such as heating, water systems and ventilation.

Consumers to demand quality

Building technology is seen in the campaign as the link between consumers and good living conditions. Building technology produces a temperature that is suitable for people, clean water, good indoor air and services that are needed for everyday living, such as electricity, communications and safety.

"Unless builders and occupants can demand quality, greater emphasis may be laid on low building expenses instead of optimal operating costs. This will cause suffering for years in the form of higher operational costs and reduced pleasantness," Salo states.

Finnish expertise creates interest

In Finland the mechanical building services industry focuses on product development and research much more than in the building sector in general. This can be seen in the more user-friendly and energy-effective products and systems. Form and appearance are an increasing part of product design.

"There is international demand for Finnish expertise. For example, in indoor air and energy matters we're at the forefront," Salo says.

One indication of the rating of Finnish expertise is the worldwide Clima2007 conference in the building technology field, which was held in Finland in June. The theme of the conference was WellBeing Indoors, and it was attended by some thousand participants from all parts of the world.

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Building technology has a considerable effect as a creator of a pleasant life.
Photo: Finnish Association of Mechanical Building Services Industries.