Waste heat recycling reduces the carbon footprint
26.8.2026 – Sello shopping center develops its energy efficiency with a long-term view. In cooperation with Granlund, energy recycling solutions and building services upgrades were implemented at the property to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Energy use has a significant effect on a property’s maintenance costs and environmental impacts. At Sello shopping center in Espoo’s Leppävaara district, energy efficiency is developed systematically.
“For us, energy efficiency is a key aspect of sustainability. It reduces our carbon footprint and helps us control our costs in the long term. We continuously monitor and optimise our systems,” says Olli Paunola, Property Manager at Sello.
When heat that was previously directed out of the building is recycled and reused, the need for district heating is reduced and energy efficiency is improved.
Miika Nuuttila, chief operating officer, energy efficiency projects at Granlund
The next phase of energy efficiency development
The electricity and district heating used by Sello are produced on a carbon-neutral basis, a virtual power plant has been connected to the property, and there are over 2,300 solar panels on the roof. In spite of all this, reducing energy consumption remains a key goal.
“Repairs and renovations that improve energy efficiency had already been done at Sello in the past. However, the project implemented with Granlund represents the next phase of development, where building services are upgraded more extensively and energy efficiency is improved further.”
The project stemmed from the practical need to upgrade the property’s ageing building services. Changes were also made in connection with the comprehensive renovation of K-Citymarket, which is a long-term tenant at the property.
“The Sello property is over 20 years old, which creates pressure to overhaul its systems. Upgrading the MEP systems at the property improve energy efficiency and reduce the repair backlog. At the same time, it enables us to ensure that the premises meet our tenants’ needs.”
Waste heat recycling at Sello
Now, condensation heat from K-Citymarket’s refrigeration units, heat from the exhaust air of restaurants’ roof exhaust fans, and heat generated by battery arrays at the property is recovered and used for heating the property. In addition, one water cooling unit was replaced with a heat pump, which produces cooling in the summer and heat in the winter for use by the building.
In the second phase, energy recycling was expanded by installing a separate heat pump system that further enhances the recycling of waste heat generated in the property.
“Sello’s various MEP systems continuously generate heat. When heat that was previously directed out of the building is recycled and reused, the need for district heating is reduced and energy efficiency is improved,” says Miika Nuuttila, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Efficiency Projects at Granlund.
Granlund as Sello’s Project Partner
In the project, Granlund acted as a comprehensive partner to the owners and Sello. Experts assessed energy solutions and prepared profitability calculations. They were also responsible for overall planning and design, construction management, competitive tendering and the supervision of implementation. According to Paunola, the decision to choose Granlund as the project partner was mainly due to the company’s expertise and the past positive experiences of Sello’s owners, namely the pension insurance companies Keva, Elo and Ilmarinen.
Improving energy efficiency is an ongoing process, and it is now easier for us to move on to our next projects.
Olli Paunola, Property Manager, Sello shopping center
Towards a more energy-efficient future
The first upgraded systems have been in use since June 2025, and the second change project is in its final stages.
The aim is to reduce the need for purchased district heating by approximately 3,250 MWh per year. The systems use approximately 755 MWh of electricity per year. The carbon dioxide emissions caused by the heating of the property will decrease by approximately 64 tonnes per year.
“The systems have functioned as planned, and it looks like our expectations will be met. The key is that we achieve our energy saving targets and are able to keep the maintenance costs of the property under control. In the long term, this also benefits the tenants,” Paunola says.
The project that has now been implemented provides Sello with a good foundation for the next development measures.
“This has been an important starting point for us. Improving energy efficiency is an ongoing process, and it is now easier for us to move on to our next
projects.”
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This customer reference was published for the first time as part of Granlund’s sustainability report.
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Miika Nuuttila
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