All posts by Outi

New filter packs introduced in 2025

As part of our environmental responsibility, we at Zehnder Group want to use more and more recyclable and environmentally friendly materials in our products and packaging.  Next year, we will also introduce Zehnder Group’s common packaging materials in the Nordic countries.

With the upcoming reform, the familiar green and white colour will disappear and you will recognise the filter packaging by the text Zehnder Original Filter.

Although our external brand image will change, we will continue to manufacture and offer high-quality ventilation solutions developed in Finland and suitable for homes and properties in northern climates.

A new option for installation of the Pinion ventilation unit

The feedback we receive from both users of our devices and our Nordic service partners is valuable and we also use it to further develop our products. As a prime example of this, we will be launching an add-on for the Pinion ventilation unit at the beginning of the year.

One of the Pinion’s praised features is the convenient option to install the unit above the stove in the kitchen instead of a cabinet. It can then either be separate or connected to a cooker hood.

– However, with the top connected Pinion, there has been a desire to solve the problem of installing the ventilation ductwork horizontally after the unit. The Connection box, which will be launched next year, will provide the answer to this, says Mikael Karlsson, who is responsible for Enervent Zehnder’s product development.

Connection box brings flexibility to installation

The additional component installed on top of the ventilation unit also solves another practical challenge. Usually, the installation of Pinion requires that the ducts are routed in different directions. Since the outputs might be routed crosswise, it takes extra time from the installer. In the Connection box, the outputs and duct controls are compactly ready “in the same package”. This makes the installation work considerably easier and shortens the time required for the work.

The compact Enervent Pinion has been a favorite choice for ventilation units in small apartment and terraced houses for a decade. It is also an excellent solution for other small-sized projects where ventilation of the premises is to be carried out with de-centralized ventilation units.

Zehnder Group well represented at FinnBuild fair in Helsinki

FinnBuild fair has brought together construction industry professionals and key stakeholders since 1974. Once again, the fair highlighted the latest innovations and solutions for construction and building technology in October.

Zehnder Group’s brand and extensive product portfolio were showcased at the 50-year-old event. In addition to visitors, Enervent Zehnder’s stand served as a meeting point for Group professionals from various countries.

Sonja Häggman, Head of Customer Excellence at Enervent Zehnder, oversaw the fair project. After a hectic period, she was pleased with the outcome.

– Zehnder’s new visual identity was well implemented across various elements. Moreover, there were many visitors especially interested in the design products. For example, the Zehnder Tetris, a decorative radiator, attracted a lot of attention. This was also the first year we shared our stand with our Finnish colleagues from Zehnder Clean Air Solutions. Regarding our own products, cooling solutions sparked significant interest.

Healthy indoor climate and energy efficiency appreciated everywhere

Following the FinnBuild fair, we asked visiting colleagues for their thoughts on the future of the market.

Toomas Kolk from Zehnder Baltics was appointed Director of Region North in August. The region includes seven countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

– Healthy indoor climate and energy efficiency are appreciated everywhere, and we share most of the same portfolio across Region North. There are some differences, though. For example, Zehnder Comfosystems air distribution solutions and enthalpy counterflow plate heat exchangers are more widely used in the Baltic countries than in Scandinavia.

– In general, the construction industry is one of the most conservative in the world, but even here we can feel the change. The focus on health and sustainability has increased substantially. Also, the shift from products to solutions and the vast increase in digitalisation are changing the industry.

Oliver Bock has had a long career with Zehnder Group and is currently the Director of Global Sales International.

– FinnBuild is a well-organised local fair in Northern Europe and has always been important to our business in the region. Something that surprised me this year was the overall interest in cooling solutions. It hasn’t been a major topic in the North before.

– Due to the well-managed expansion of Zehnder Group in recent years, and with the formation of new geographical sales regions in Europe, I will mostly be turning my attention to markets and challenges outside of Europe. I believe that in the North, our strengths are our people and our customer focus, and with the new Sales Region North, we can consolidate our efforts and make the impact needed to outgrow the market.

Gard Skjelstad from Exvent represented Norway, and this was his fourth time attending FinnBuild.

– The construction technology in Norway and Finland is at the same level. FinnBuild is a well-known event with a relevant audience. Now that we have become more integrated into the Group and have access to many of Zehnder’s exciting products, I can see definite market potential for those in Norway. Especially for Zehnder’s air distribution systems. Norwegian customers are curious and appreciate new, innovative solutions.

(From the left of the photo: Oliver Bock, Toomas Kolk, Andrei Leventcov, Gard Skjelstad and Sonja Häggman)

International customers are served from Porvoo

What is good customer service made of? If you ask artificial intelligence, it is, among other things, professionalism, friendliness, efficiency and solution-oriented. Clear communication and understanding the customer’s needs are also important. These features can be found at Enervent Zehnder’s office in Porvoo, Finland where Alexandra Lönnroth and Tira Grönlund serve not only domestic but also European customers and partners in ventilation matters.

Alexandra has originally joined the company already in 2009. After a couple of years away, she has been advising and helping familiar and new customers since last year. Tira has been part of the Enervent Zehnder team for three years.

The customer service team supports not only customers but also colleagues 

For Alexandra and Tira, there is no normal working day, every day is a little different. The job description of both includes sales support functions, i.e. customer service, processing orders and offers, and responding to contacts. In addition, Alexandra does various marketing tasks part of the time, produces materials for sale and maintains content in different channels. Correspondingly, in addition to sales, Tira also assists the finance department in, for example, invoicing ambiguities. She also works as a SAP support person. Both agree that the work is just the right amount of variety and the days go by quickly.

The beginning of the year has been busy for several reasons. In the spring, the entire group’s common enterprise control system was put into use, and at the same time, the brand renewal to Zehnder Group is underway, which can be seen for customers in, among other things, the markings and packaging of the devices. In addition, two cooler units have been released as novelty products over the past year, which have aroused the interest of customers.

According to Alexandra, various exceptional situations are quickly visible in the everyday life of customer service.

– A normal customer service work day includes entering orders into the enterprise resource planning system, maintaining the online store and generally controlling the entire operating process. For example, an occasional component shortage is also immediately apparent for us, when the promised delivery times for ventilation equipment are delayed. In any case, we are always in contact with production and warehouse regarding delivery inquiries.

The technical support staff are also an important partner for the customer service team when sorting out tricky problems. They know the unit models inside out and they can quickly find a solution to all the questions customers have.

Where do the contacts come from? 

Customer service receives the most contacts from business and consumer customers in Finland and Sweden. We are also in contact with Norwegian customers from time to time, even though we have an own sales company called Exvent in Norway. In addition, we receive messages from Central Europe, for example Germany and France. Sometimes we need the help of a translation program when figuring them out. Of course, we also serve our own resellers in different countries, says Tira.

Alexandra and Tira agree on one thing in particular. The best thing about their work is the colleagues at Enervent Zehnder and the relaxed work atmosphere. In addition, wonderful feedback and messages from customers warm the minds of the customer service team in the middle of the rush.

You can meet our customer service team at the Finnbuild fair in October in Helsinki. Welcome to our fair stand 6 d 48.

 

Energy efficiency, quality and world-class design

Zehnder Group was established in 1895. Today the company is manufacturing products and systems for heating, cooling, ventilation, and indoor air cleaning. Along with energy efficiency, the company’s product development is guided by stylish design.

The name of this Swiss family-owned company may not yet be familiar in the Nordic countries but many of its product brands are well-known in the international market, with some even achieving iconic status. Zehnder Group develops and manufactures its products in 14 of its own factories and sells them in more than 70 countries. Enervent Zehnder became part of the group six years ago.

Andrei Leventcov has been working in Enervent Zehnder’s export sales for over 10 years and he is currently a member of Zehnder’s international sales team.

– Enervent Zehnder is the expert when it comes to ventilation solutions in the Nordic climate. However, there are four different product lines in Zehnder Group, with ventilation being just one of them.

In addition to providing comfortable indoor ventilation, Group offers decorative radiators, heating and cooling ceilings as well as industrial air cleaning systems.

– Other Zehnder products are also gaining a stronger foothold in the Nordic markets, Leventcov says.

Three special strengths

We asked Andrei Leventcov what distinguishes Zehnder’s products from others on the market.

– I would say there are three core strengths. Firstly, Zehnder invests heavily in R&D. The company’s product development is driven by energy efficiency but, as a second point, Zehnder has brought in world-class designers to assist in the process. As a result, there are premium products that cater to more discerning tastes and for properties where interior design plays a key role in decision-making. The third strength is quality control and the related processes, which are exceptional.

According to Leventcov, Group takes pride in ensuring that all products are flawlessly working when they leave any factory. The same Zehnder standards apply to all factories, regardless of the country in which they are located.

Can a radiator be a piece of art?

Andrei Leventcov points out that there are cultural differences concerning which products are popular and why.

– In Finland, Sweden, and Norway, we often have floor heating in bathrooms, which means there is no need for towel radiators. However, these are very popular in many other European countries. A towel radiator in the bathroom can bring extra comfort and serve as a design element.

He notes that the same applies to radiators in general. In the Nordic countries, radiators are often rather simple and mostly white. In other words, they are practical but not particularly decorative.

– Probably the best-known Zehnder product is the iconic tubular design radiator Charleston, developed in the 1930s. It is a market leader and is available in various sizes and colors. Furthermore, Zehnder’s Arteplano radiators are like real pieces of unique art.

– When you become familiar with the products and various brands, you start to notice them everywhere. For instance, Charleston radiators can be found at the recently renovated Helsinki Airport.

Are you interested in knowing more about Zehnder’s products? You can contact Andrei Leventcov at andrei.leventcov@zehndergroup.com.

When better indoor climate is the primary target

Exvent’s authorized contractor, Energima, has grown into a leading indoor climate and energy efficiency group in Norway, focusing on service contracts and long-term customer relations. We interviewed Sebastian Bruhn from Energima Bolig Service about their secret to success in the market.

Founded in 2003, Energima’s driving force has always been to deliver the market’s best solutions. Undoubtedly, this strategy has been very successful as the Energima Group consists of a total of 40 companies today. One of these is Energima Bolig Service, which specializes in heating, ventilation, and cooling services for residential buildings and housing associations.

– We have specialised companies doing new construction/renovations and service in the Energima Group. It is obvious that staff need different skills in the service business than at construction sites. When working in the service sector, you must be also creative, and capable of solving various problems for building owners, says Sebastian Bruhn, Service Engineer for Energima Bolig Service.

Good value for money

Sebastian Bruhn reminds us that in Norway, since 2010, it has been stipulated by law that all new apartments must have ventilation. The same applies when an older apartment is fully renovated. This has naturally affected the whole building services market. Nowadays, as summers are getting warmer, there is also a growing interest in cooling systems.

– We have cooperated with Exvent and Enervent Zehnder for approximately 10 years. They have outstanding service, so it’s really been an easy choice for us. Additionally, Exvent’s products are more premium than many others in the market. We want to provide our own customers with the best service and best products, not necessarily the cheapest price. I would rather call it good value for money.

According to Sebastian Bruhn Exvent has a no-nonsense and realistic approach when it comes to testing and certification of the units.

– We know we can trust the promises made by Exvent about their own products. This is extremely important to us as a professional customer. For us, it is also important to know that if something goes wrong, you get quick help from the manufacturer. With such a of partner, we do not need to argue with our customers. Happy customers are, after all, the common goal for all of us.

The finishing touch matters

Exvent’s units have a rotating heat exchanger, which is the most energy-efficient technology on the market. In addition to high heat recovery, the devices also provide cooling recovery in the summer. How important is this in Norway?

– Of course, technology matters. Still, I think it is the overall experience that sets products apart. It is the quality of the product that matters most to Norwegian customers, along with longevity. Exvent’s units have thick plating and better insulation. The products are manufactured in Finland, which is naturally an advantage.

And finally. What is the secret of Energima’s success?

– Our people. We take care of our employees. We have a flat structure where everyone is treated equally. That’s how the best customer service is created, confirms Sebastian Bruhn.

High humidity increases indoors – we have a patented solution ready

The climate is getting warmer and, according to forecasts, summers will be warmer and wetter in the Nordics as well. At the same time, the change in living requirements has shaped our perceptions of a pleasant indoor environment. Ventilation designers have quite a difficult task on their desk. How do you ensure that the ventilation units work according to the users’ wishes, even under changing conditions? Enervent Zehnder has a suitable solution ready for this.

In addition to stricter EU regulations, construction engineering plans are also increasingly affected by climate change. In hot and humid climates, the ventilation units are expected to be able to remove moisture from the indoor air, among other things. The challenge is relatively new in northern latitudes.

An innovation developed for export can be used in the domestic market

– We already have a ready-made solution. The moisture transfer function of the rotating heat exchangers in our ventilation units can be used to dry the indoor air. Ventilation units equipped with the patented TwinCoil function have ventilation, heating, cooling and dehumidification in one and the same package. And even controlled with our own control automation, says Ronni Laaksonen, who is responsible for Enervent Zehnder’s sales.

– The innovation was developed at our factory in Porvoo by our own R&D team a decade ago. A new feature was needed for the tropical climate zone of the Southeast Asian export market. The first customers were in Hong Kong and domestic demand has only recently really taken off.

Who should choose a unit equipped with the TwinCoil solution?

Currently, the dehumidification solution is available for three different unit models of different sizes (Pallas, Pegasos and Pelican).

– Temperatures have traditionally been measured in Finland. The humidity in the indoor air has not even been monitored in the same way. A device equipped with TwinCoil is an excellent alternative for e.g. stores where cold surfaces are not allowed to fog. In addition, the solution is suitable for commercial premises and office premises where special requirements are placed on the temperature and humidity of the indoor air.

– We have also installed units equipped with the solution in large, detached houses and holiday apartments. Compared to separately installed air source heat pumps, dehumidification with heat exchangers is cost-effective. Under ideal conditions, it is practically free, reminds Ronni Laaksonen.

The TwinCoil solution is available for models with an air volume range of 360-2800 m³/h. The system is controlled with the units’ own eAir control automation and monitoring can be connected to the most common building automation applications. For more information: andrei.leventcov@enervent.com.

The energy efficiency requirements for buildings are becoming increasingly strict – the goal is total zero emissions

The EPBD directive, which entered into force on May 1, places new demands on legislation in EU member states. The update of the Energy Efficiency Directive supports the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the construction sector. Talteka’s CTO Juhani Hyvärinen believes that the time targets for the reforms are ambitious.

Juhani Hyvärinen is the Director, Technologyt at Talteka (the Association of Finnish building technology industry and trade) which is a member of The Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT. He has followed the development of national and international regulations for a long time and has been involved in bringing the industry’s common views to the EU’s official level.

Nordic countries lead in construction supervision

The goal behind the updated directive is for the entire building stock in the EU to be emission-free by 2050. Juhani Hyvärinen confirms that above all in Finland, but also in Sweden and Norway, the indoor environment and energy efficiency in buildings have traditionally been regulated more than the rest of Europe at the national level.

– In Finland, there are relatively precise requirements for ventilation of buildings and for water and sewage systems. The interior temperature in buildings and cooling have not previously been the focus of legislators in the same way. For us, it has been sufficient as a requirement in the regulations that the temperature in homes and public spaces is 18–32 degrees, even if the expectations for indoor temperature regulation are significantly stricter. 

The EPBD Directive was updated – a threat or an opportunity?

The Energy Efficiency Directive states that by the beginning of 2030 at the latest, new buildings must be completely emission-free. Hyvärinen reminds that the directive is only an order to change national legislation. In this case, the EU countries, including Finland, must enact their own laws and regulations so that they come into force in the spring of 2026.

– The new directive focuses on energy efficiency. Another central theme is the utilization of renewable energy. The key word is a zero-emission building, that is, a building that produces no carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.

According to the directive, the entire EU region’s building stock must be emission-free by 2050. Is this a threat or an opportunity?

– The timetables are very tight. Of course, zero emissions also depend on the type of energy available. But of course, that alone is not enough. At the same time, the building must consume some energy. The state, cities and municipalities are facing big financial commitments. Repair construction requires both investments and a correspondingly competent workforce, emphasizes Hyvärinen.

Legal regulations on measuring the indoor environment

Juhani Hyvärinen states that the current requirements for ventilation units come from various regulations (ecodesign). When it comes to energy efficiency, the most important thing is that the units do not waste energy and that the heat recovery works correctly.

– Monitoring of the indoor environment will be a new requirement in the EPBD. Member States must set the requirements in national legislation. Until now, Finland has lacked, among other things, a humidity limit. With climate change, outdoor temperatures will increase, so the upper limit given for temperature is already too high for living comfort. Similarly, the indoor air in winter is often too dry due to the heating, which can lead to health problems.

– Ventilation devices are a central part of the indoor climate, and manufacturers must take the new requirements into account.

Building control is needed

Hyvärinen reminds that changed legislation also requires building inspectors to have new skills. There will be new technical requirements in the field of building supervision, which means that there is a need to diversify competence.

– When the goal is to make the entire building base emission-free, 25 years is a short time. The biggest impact comes from repair construction and how to proceed with it. After all, private property owners are not obliged to carry out compulsory renovations, but the directive encourages repairs that can lead to lower energy bills and thus increase the value of the properties.

More specifically, the liability issues brought about by the new directive will be defined in regulations issued based on the revised Finnish Construction Act. The changes in the Building Act will come into force later this year. The rule changes must be made by the summer of 2026 at the latest.

More options for cooling with the ventilation – Cooler module now also available for end connected units

Interest in cooling different spaces has grown rapidly. A year ago, we released the highly praised Svea Cooler combination, especially suitable for small spaces. After the launch of the Svea Cooler, we have received a lot of requests for a cooling solution that also fits other unit models. We respond to customer requests and this spring we will introduce a horizontal Cooler module to the market. The module will be introduced at the Nordbygg fair on April 23-26, 2024.

Three good reasons to choose the LTR-5 Z Cooler

The end-connected ventilation units in the LTR series are suitable for many types of spaces. They are not only found in residential properties but also in offices. They are mostly located in places where other equipment solutions would not be possible due to the height. Therefore, it is important that a new cooling unit with compressor cooling can be installed next to the ventilation unit. Our new Cooler module:

  1. integrates directly with the LTR-5 Z unit
  2. can also be retrofitted to models LTR-3 and LTR-7
  3. is high-quality Finnish craftsmanship

Three good reasons to choose Svea Cooler

The compact Svea ventilation unit has an air flow and energy efficiency like a larger unit. The Cooler module that can be integrated with it cools the home without drafts. The modular construction of the combination solves the ventilation and cooling of homes without the need for extra space or a separate outdoor unit. The advantage is that:

  1. the cooling is evenly distributed in all rooms
  2. The cooler module can also be retrofitted
  3. the units and cooling modules are high-quality Finnish craftsmanship

Are you interested? Contact us and ask more about cooling units or other solutions from Enervent Zehnder from the seller in your area or from our customer service enervent@enervent.com

The recession in the construction industry slowed Enervent Zehnder’s growth – strong investment in cooling technology

A trend familiar from many industrial sectors was also repeated last year in the business of Porvoo based ventilation technology manufacturer Enervent Zehnder. When the construction of new apartments in Finland slowed down rapidly, it also directly affected the demand for ventilation units. The highlights of last  year were the business in Norway and future-building development projects.

– The beginning of 2023 went really well. The rapid change came in the second half of the year, and the stagnation of housing construction was also visible in our order backlog. In terms of public and office construction sites as well as renovation construction, the situation was better compared to the whole year, says Thomas Söderholm, Managing Director of Enervent Zehnder.

According to him, a similar market development has been seen in Central Europe, where there was a general decline in housing construction last year. It has also affected other Zehnder Group subsidiaries. The group’s turnover decreased by 6% compared to the previous year, but the cash flow was still strong, and the result was around 60 million euro.

Söderholm confirms that a special highlight in the Nordic market has been Norway, where market changes have been smaller and demand has remained steady.

– High electricity and energy costs have made both private and business customers think about their equipment choices in connection with renovations. The technology in Enervent Zehnder’s devices is energy efficient, which has given us an additional competitive advantage in the current situation.

Attention in sustainable development

The product development of Enervent Zehnder’s devices has been done in the company’s own premises from the beginning. In Porvoo, there is also a cold laboratory that performs continuous testing, suitable for the northern climate.

– Last year’s most significant launch was related to mobile technology. In May, we released iSLa, i.e. a mobile application that controls ventilation units. It replaces the separate control panels supplied with the units and at the same time helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste. In addition, the professional version of iSLa enables the commissioning and monitoring of units remotely, which significantly saves the driving kilometres of the maintenance staff.

– The demand for cooling solutions has increased in recent years. Our Svea Cooler, launched last year as a continuation of the HP models, was very well received and the product family will grow soon. We will return to it in more detail in April.

– In addition to novelties, we develop solutions to extend the life cycle of products. A good example of this is automation change packages. They are an efficient way to extend the life of our units and improve energy efficiency at the same time.

Solid support from the Zehnder Group

The Swiss Zehnder Group became the owner of Enervent in 2018.

– Last year, one of our most important projects was the preparation for the introduction of a new enterprise resource planning system and the related changes in production and logistics. It tied up our key personnel resources for the whole year but enables export deliveries to the group’s global sales network. At the same time, it brings efficiency to internal processes and material flows. The implementation will be in April at the same time in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

– At the same time, the group’s common brand reform has progressed. For its part, it supports making Finnish ventilation units known in new markets. Our external colour world is changing, but manufacturing and product development still remain strong in Finland and Porvoo, emphasizes Söderholm.