8. Myths and Truths

TRUTH: Prefab solves logistics. Ekonod transforms the entire system.

Bathroom pods make installation inside the bathroom simpler but they do not change the building’s system logic.

Behind every pod you still have:

• long domestic hot water circulation loops with 20–30% energy losses
• oversized pumps running 24/7
• balancing valves and inter-floor tuning
• single points of failure that can affect multiple apartments at once

Pods improve logistics. Ekonod improves building performance.

Ekonod treats the bathroom as the installation hub and integrates:

• water and domestic hot water
• heating
• ventilation
• drainage
• electricity and controls
• moisture protection
• sensors
• metering and digital interfaces

All of this is delivered in a lightweight, compact module that works in concrete, CLT, steel, or hybrid structures – without constraining architectural design.

TRUTH:Centralisation concentrates risk. Decentralisation limits it.

In a centralised system:

• one pump failure can take out an entire riser
• leaks spread through shafts and affect multiple apartments
• maintenance often requires shutting down the whole building
• technicians must enter several apartments just to troubleshoot

Centralisation does not reduce risk, it amplifies the consequences of every failure.

With Ekonod, each apartment becomes its own technical zone:

• a fault affects only that apartment
• sensors detect leaks instantly and shut off automatically
• service is simple and local
• no building-wide shutdowns

1. Climate benefit: eliminates 20–30% heat losses from domestic hot water circulation
2. Operational benefit: simpler operation, service, and monitoring
3. Value benefit:fewer insurance claims and more stable operating costs

More modules do not mean more risk. They mean smaller consequences.

TRUTH: Modern control systems are proven at scale.

Across Northern Europe, digital and local control is already standard:

• Netherlands: the majority of new multi-family buildings use decentralised digital control
• Germany: a significant share of new developments follow the same principle

Ekonod uses open, robust standards:

• Modbus for building automation
• Matter for smart home and tenant interfaces

This ensures long-term compatibility and predictable operation.

1. Climate: demand-driven control reduces energy use and CO₂
2. Function: simpler commissioning and automated optimisation
3. Value:transparent data supports ESG reporting and financing

Smart systems are not risky. They are traceable, measurable, and future-proof.

TRUTH: Ekonod increases architectural freedom.

Because the system logic is local and compact, architects can:

• Move walls and optimise layouts
• Avoid large vertical shafts
• Increase ceiling heights
• Place kitchens and bathrooms based on light and circulation, not shafts
• work freely in CLT, concrete, steel, or hybrid structures

The system adapts to the architecture, not the other way around.

TRUTH: Industrialised installation is always more precise than on-site construction.

Traditional on-site installations often involve:

• Moisture exposure
• Inconsistent sealing
• Improvised solutions
• Multiple trades working in confined spaces
• Uneven tolerances

Ekonod hubs are:

• Factory-built
• Moisture-protected
• Pressure-tested
• Quality-assured
• Identical across apartments

The result is higher safety, more consistent performance, and fewer defects.

TRUTH: Ekonod reduces costs across the entire lifecycle.

Ekonod lowers:

• Installation costs
• Material waste
• Moisture damage
• Domestic hot water energy use
• Construction time and financing costs
• Operating and maintenance costs

And by reducing shaft space and wall thickness, rentable/saleable area increases, improving overall project returns. For most projects, Ekonod delivers higher ROI, not higher cost.

TRUTH: Ekonod is material- and structure-agnostic.

Compatible with:

• CLT
• concrete
• steel
• hybrid structures
• modular and volumetric construction

Used in:

• residential housing
• healthcare and assisted living
• social infrastructure
• mixed-use projects

It’s system logic, not a construction method.

TRUTH: No lock-in. Full flexibility.

You can start with:

• A single bathroom core
• One installation hub
• A digital metering package
• Wastewater heat recovery
• A system configuration study
• Design and MEP advisory servic

Or go directly to a full turnkey delivery. You choose the scope. The logic remains the same.

Ekonod is not a pod. It’s not a gimmick. It’s a smarter way to build clearer, safer, lighter, greener, and more predictable than traditional systems.