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Air ventilation in Helsinki
Inspections, maintenance, and installation
IVAeris specialises in the inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and refurbishment of air ventilation systems in Helsinki properties. We serve housing companies, detached houses, and commercial premises across Helsinki, from the inner city to suburban areas and new districts. Helsinki has nearly 700,000 residents and Finland’s most diverse building stock, which also means the widest range of air ventilation systems and the challenges associated with them.
Helsinki’s building stock and air ventilation challenges
Helsinki has developed in waves, and each era has left its mark on the way air ventilation is implemented in buildings. Of the city’s housing stock, 77% was completed after 1949. Of the buildings constructed before 1950, as many as 91% are located in the inner city—Kruununhaka, Töölö, Kallio, and Punavuori. These masonry buildings almost without exception rely on natural ventilation, where air exchange occurs through stack effect and temperature differences, without fans.
Helsinki’s largest construction boom took place in the 1950s–1980s, when the precast concrete apartment blocks of today’s suburbs were built. Of the buildings completed in 1950–1969, 78%, and of those completed in 1970–1989, 84%, were built specifically in suburban areas—Pihlajamäki, Kontula, Myllypuro, Jakomäki, and Vuosaari. These buildings were typically equipped with either natural ventilation or mechanical extract ventilation, where a roof fan removes air and make-up air enters through vents or through the building fabric. Mechanical ventilation became more common in Finland in the 1970s, but a large share of the stock built before that is still in its original configuration.
The newest districts—Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari, Kruunuvuorenranta, and Central Pasila—represent modern standards: mechanical supply-and-extract ventilation with heat recovery. In these buildings, the challenges are different—systems require regular filter changes, airflow balancing, and professional maintenance to keep energy efficiency and indoor air quality at the intended level.
Helsinki also has a significant stock of office and service buildings. Studies have found that in office buildings in the Helsinki Capital Region, airflow rates can vary markedly from room to room even when the building-level average meets regulations. Imbalanced systems can cause stuffiness in some rooms and draughts in others.
Common air ventilation issues in Helsinki
According to studies by the City of Helsinki Environment Centre, inadequate air ventilation performance contributed, at least in part, to indoor air problems in most of the sites investigated. The issues vary by system type:
Natural ventilation is the most common system in the inner city and older suburban areas. The typical problem is that window replacements or other sealing work have made the apartment too airtight for natural ventilation to function properly—without considering the supply of replacement air. Natural ventilation also performs poorly during summer heat, when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is small.
Mechanical extract ventilation is the most common solution in apartment buildings from the 1960s to the 1990s. The main challenge is insufficient replacement air: residents close vents due to draughts or noise, which disrupts ventilation throughout the building. In some cases, the extract fan is undersized or set too low for energy-saving reasons.
Mechanical supply-and-extract ventilation is the standard in newer buildings. The most common issue is an imbalance between supply and extract airflows, which can lead to excessive negative or positive pressure and moisture problems in building structures.
Helsinki’s environment adds further challenges. Along high-traffic streets—Mannerheimintie, Hämeentie, Itäväylä and Turunväylä—nitrogen oxide levels and street dust concentrations are high. This places specific requirements on outdoor air intake location and filtration performance. In an urban environment, the target filtration level is typically F7 (≥80% efficiency for 1.0 μm particles), and clogged filters must be replaced regularly. In addition, radon levels can be significant in Helsinki’s detached-house areas—STUK measurements show a median of 155 Bq/m³—highlighting the importance of controlled air ventilation and correct pressure balance.
Our air ventilation services in Helsinki
We provide Helsinki properties with a comprehensive air ventilation service offering that covers the entire lifecycle of the system.
Air ventilation inspection and system assessment – In Helsinki apartment buildings, a thorough condition assessment is often needed before a housing company can decide the scope and delivery method of a refurbishment. We verify the system type and condition, measure airflow rates and pressure balance, and provide clear corrective recommendations. → Learn more about air ventilation inspection
Air ventilation cleaning – Duct cleaning is essential especially in buildings located in high-traffic areas of Helsinki, where street dust and fine particles place a heavier-than-normal load on the system. → Learn more about air ventilation cleaning
Air ventilation maintenance – Regular maintenance keeps the system operating properly and extends its service life. In newer Helsinki buildings, monitoring the condition of heat recovery cores, filters, and fans is key. → Learn more about air ventilation maintenance
Air ventilation installation and refurbishment – Helsinki’s 1950s–1980s apartment buildings have a major need for upgrades: modernising natural ventilation or extract-only mechanical ventilation to a modern supply-and-extract system can significantly improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and living comfort. → Learn more about air ventilation installation
Air ventilation design and advice – We provide expert advice to housing companies, property managers, and property owners on improving air ventilation. Helsinki’s building control authorities require a building permit for substantial building-services changes—we help you navigate the permit process. → Learn more about air ventilation advice
Price estimate and booking
Our air ventilation service prices are the same across all cities in our service area. The most commonly ordered services in Helsinki housing companies:
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Air ventilation inspection – starting from €155
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Ductwork cleaning – starting from €785
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Air ventilation unit maintenance – starting from €355
Detailed pricing and direct booking: View all services and prices →
Need a quotation for a housing company or a larger site? Contact us →
Service area in Helsinki
Inner city: Kruununhaka, Kluuvi, Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, Punavuori, Ullanlinna, Eira, Kaivopuisto, Katajanokka, Kallio, Sörnäinen, Alppiharju, Vallila, Hermanni, Hakaniemi, Merihaka, Siltasaari
Western Helsinki: Töölö, Meilahti, Munkkiniemi, Lauttasaari, Ruoholahti, Jätkäsaari, Pikku Huopalahti, Haaga, Pitäjänmäki, Pajamäki, Konala
Northern Helsinki: Pasila, Käpylä, Kumpula, Toukola, Oulunkylä, Maunula, Pakila, Paloheinä, Torpparinmäki, Tuomarinkylä, Malmi, Tapanila, Siltamäki, Puistola, Suutarila, Jakomäki
Eastern Helsinki: Kalasatama, Kulosaari, Herttoniemi, Tammisalo, Roihuvuori, Laajasalo, Kruunuvuorenranta, Yliskylä, Kontula, Mellunmäki, Myllypuro, Puotila, Vartioharju, Vuosaari, Itäkeskus, Marjaniemi
Districts with the most new construction: Kalasatama, Jätkäsaari, Central Pasila, Kruunuvuorenranta, Malminkenttä
Helsinki | Espoo | Vantaa | Kauniainen | Kerava | Järvenpää | Tuusula | Nurmijärvi | Hyvinkää | Kirkkonummi | Vihti | Lohja | Porvoo | Sipoo | Mäntsälä
