Ekonod: A Smarter, More Flexible Way to Install Building Services

08/19/25

By Tamina Thamsborg, Nordnest

For decades, the way we install heating, hot water, and ventilation in buildings has barely changed. In Sweden, many buildings still use designs from the Million Programme era (1965-1974), when the country built one million homes in ten years to solve a housing shortage.

These homes – and many built since – rely on centralised heating and hot water systems. Hot water circulates constantly through long loops, even when no one is using it. This was fine for the technology of the 1960s, but today it means wasted energy, extra materials, and higher maintenance costs.

The challenge is clear: we need systems that are faster to build, use less material, and waste less energy – without forcing developers or residents to give up the heating systems they trust.

That’s exactly why Ekonod exists.

A Central Hub for Building Services

Ekonod is a prefabricated installation unit – a ready-made, high-quality solution that integrates the most essential technical systems in a building, including:

  • Heating
  • Hot water
  • Ventilation
  • Electricity and controls

Instead of spreading these systems throughout the building and connecting them with long pipe and duct runs, Ekonod brings them together in one central location – typically within each apartment, but it can just as easily be placed in the building’s central plant room.
Flexibility and simplicity in system design are at the core of Ekonod’s concept.

And it’s flexible in how it’s used:

  • It can be installed as a standalone unit in a utility room, hallway, or cupboard.
  • It can be integrated into a prefabricated bathroom module and delivered to site ready to connect.

Ekonod can be used in a wide range of building types – not just in modular timber projects, but also in multi-storey concrete buildings, steel-frame structures, and mixed-material developments.

This flexibility makes Ekonod suitable for both modular and traditional construction – and useful in new builds, refurbishments, and mixed projects.

And because Ekonod consolidates all key building services into one central unit, it also enables precise, apartment-level metering and billing.
This allows property owners to charge each resident based on their actual consumption of heating and hot water – improving cost transparency, reducing disputes, and supporting fairer energy use.

Why Decentralisation Makes Sense

In traditional centralised systems, hot water is heated in a single location and sent through long loops to every apartment. These loops keep the water hot at all times, even when no taps are running. This approach:

  • Wastes energy through heat loss along the pipes
  • Requires more pipework and insulation
  • Takes longer and costs more to install
  • Makes it difficult for property owners to charge accurately for total heating costs due to distribution losses (VVC)

With decentralised systems like Ekonod, each apartment has its own heat exchanger inside the unit. Water is heated only when needed, which also eliminates the Legionella risk associated with standing hot water. We offer individual measurement and billing (IMD) for heating, hot water, and electricity consumption as standard.

In air-based configurations, heating can be distributed through the ventilation system. In other setups, Ekonod integrates with radiators, underfloor heating, or hybrid systems – depending on the customer’s needs.

By placing the Ekonod unit centrally in the apartment, distances to each room are minimised. That allows for:

  • Less material use
  • Less labour
  • Shorter installation time

Built Around Customer Choice

One of Ekonod’s key strengths is configuration flexibility. We provide an optimal, cost-efficient, and energy-efficient setup – but we also integrate with whatever heating method the customer already trusts.

This means Ekonod can work with:

  • Air-based heating (our preferred option for minimal pipework).
  • Radiator heating.
  • Underfloor heating.
  • Or a combination of these.

This flexibility removes a big barrier for developers: they can choose Ekonod without being forced to switch to an unfamiliar heating technology.

Faster, Cleaner, and More Consistent Installation

Because Ekonod is built in a factory before it arrives on-site, the quality is consistent and the installation process is much simpler:

  • Faster installation – most of the work is already done, so time on-site is much shorter.
  • Less coordination stress – fewer trades are needed, and they work in one location instead of all over the building.
  • Lower waste – pipes, ducts, and cables are pre-measured, so there’s no excess material left over.

One lift, one installation, one connection point – instead of separate installations for heating, ventilation, and water.

Proven Concepts, Tailored for Today

Globally, decentralised heating, hot water, and ventilation systems have already proven themselves. In Germany, for example, this type of installation is used in roughly 26% of all new apartment builds – equating to around 50,000 units per year in today’s market, and up to 125,000 units per year when the market is strong.

These figures demonstrate that the concept is far from experimental – but Ekonod’s design takes these proven principles and tailors them for flexibility, integration, and the unique requirements of different markets.

The Benefits for Every Stakeholder

For architects:

  • Creative freedom without compromising technical feasibility.
  • Ability to design without being constrained by traditional service shaft layouts.
  • Works with multiple heating and ventilation strategies, supporting a wide range of floor plans.

For developers/property owners:

  • Faster completion times and earlier revenue from rental or sales.
  • Lower installation costs and less risk of delays.
  • Adaptable to market or customer preferences.
  • New and/or increased revenue streams
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs

For construction companies:

  • Easier, cleaner installations with fewer clashes between trades.
  • Predictable, high-quality builds from factory assembly.
  • Reduced material handling and less waste on-site.

For municipalities:

  • Delivery of certified, climate-aligned buildings with lower procurement risk.
  • Supports ESG and urban development goals.
  • Contributes to reduced environmental impact through decentralised, efficient systems.

For investors:

  • Standardised solutions that reduce delivery risk.
  • Green-ready performance that meets sustainability metrics.
  • Scalable and repeatable approach suitable for multiple projects.

For financiers:

  • Early cost visibility and reliable delivery timelines.
  • Certified performance metrics to support green financing.
  • Lower risk of delays or unforeseen technical issues.

For residents:

  • More comfortable, healthier indoor environments.
  • Faster hot water delivery without waste.
  • Quiet, efficient heating and ventilation.

A Platform for the Future

Ekonod isn’t just a product. It’s a smarter way of delivering the essential building systems for each home – faster, cleaner, and with more choice.

Whether integrated into a bathroom module or installed as a standalone unit, Ekonod gives property developers and builders the flexibility to design better buildings, meet sustainability goals, and give residents the comfort they expect.

It’s time to stop treating the installation core as an afterthought – and start using it as a competitive advantage.