The survey investigated aspects of cottage living, such as energy use in cottages and travel related to cottage visits. The aim was to assess the resulting carbon footprint and examine how the energy and economic situation between 2021 and 2023 affected leisure housing. The survey was conducted as part of the Carbon Footprint of Second Homes project, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Island Committee) and the Ministry of the Environment. The project also involved collaboration with the Freetime Apartment Owners' Association (VAAL ry) and the Finnish Home Owners' Association (Suomen Omakotiliitto ry). Respondents were first asked about the decade in which their cottage was built, its intended use, and the distance to their permanent residence. Travel-related questions focused on the usual modes of transport, the energy source of any personal vehicle used, and whether there had been changes in travel habits or frequency over the past year. The survey also examined the number and nature of day trips made from the cottage. Further questions addressed the annual fuel consumption of tools, machines, and other equipment used at the cottage. Respondents were asked about available power sources, the main heating method, and any additional heating systems. The survey also inquired whether heating was continuously used during the winter season of 2022/2023 and whether this differed from the previous year. In addition, respondents were asked whether any changes had been made to energy use or whether new power or heating sources had been acquired during the past year. The final section of the survey focused on cottage usage. Respondents estimated the number of overnight stays across different seasons and the number of individuals who had stayed at the cottage during the past year. They were also asked whether they had worked remotely from the cottage. Background variables in the dataset include the respondent's age group, employment status, municipality of residence, and municipality of the cottage.

2025