Jukola community center has switched to renewable energy – civil defense shelter to be completed at the beginning of the summer

The replacement of the heating system at the Jukola community center was the largest renewable energy transition project in the city of Riihimäki last year. The community center underwent a renovation of its heating system in 2024, replacing oil heating with a geothermal system.

Giving up oil is a significant climate action as we move from burning fossil fuels to renewable, emission-free energy. It supports the city's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Geothermal energy is renewable energy that is collected from the ground or rock using pipes. Deep in the earth's layers, the temperature remains approximately constant throughout the year, so it can be collected even in winter.

Energy savings and emission-free energy

Before the renovation, approximately 45–50 cubic meters of oil were used annually to heat the entire property, or approximately 500 megawatt hours in energy content. Producing the same heating energy with geothermal heat requires approximately a third of the energy, or 167 megawatt hours. Therefore, the annual need for primary heating energy is reduced by an estimated 333 megawatt hours.

In connection with the renovation of the heating system, supply air cooling was added to the ventilation of the daycare center and kitchen. The supply air cooling utilizes ground heat, which is utilized for cooling through the geothermal system.

“At the same time, a reserve for an electric car charging point was also built on the property for later implementation,” says the city’s construction manager, Paavo Vuori.

In accordance with the city strategy, Riihimäki aims for zero emissions, zero waste and sustainable consumption of natural resources.

Civil defense is being completed

Construction of a civil defense shelter at the Jukola multi-purpose building also began in the fall of 2024. The shelter will be completed in early summer 2025. In peacetime, the facilities will serve a school and a daycare center. The obligation to provide a civil defense shelter arose earlier in connection with the expansion of the building.

The Jukola multi-purpose hall is located in Uhkola, Riihimäki at Palojoentie 2. The Jukola community center houses a daycare center, a preschool, and grades 1–2 in the eastern area. In addition, the property houses the parish's youth activity facilities.