Energy Efficiency
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in Advice, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Heating systems, Pre design, VentilationGuide to the new NZEB building regulations in Ireland
Changes to the ventilation and energy efficiency requirements come into force on the 1st of November in ROI for new and existing homes; here’s what you need to know. In this article we cover: There has been a continuing ramping up of minimum energy standards in buildings over the past 15 years as a response […] More
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in Advice, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Extension/Renovation Advice, Interior Advice, Pre designThe overheating problem
How to design and retrofit homes to avoid overheating and maintain a comfortable temperature. In this article we cover: Architectural designers prioritise heat retention when building new homes and renovating existing ones yet overheating in homes is becoming a real problem. Stricter energy efficiency measures and external temperature rises caused by climate change and growing […] More
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Ditch the chimney
If you want to build a house that’s cheap to build and run, replace the stove and central heating with high spec insulation/airtightness, a heat recovery ventilation unit and a few strategically placed electric radiators. You really can build a house without central heating, as long as you invest in the building fabric and can […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Heat emitters, Heating systems, Pre designPassive house: how to build without central heating
The most widespread standard to building a house that doesn’t require a centralised heating system comes from the Passive House Institute in Germany. Here are the basic precepts. This article covers: To qualify as a passive house from the Passive House Institute in Germany, you need to heat your home with very little energy, roughly […] More
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in Advice, Basics, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Extension/Renovation Advice, Pre designYour guide to home insulation
As with all building elements, you must satisfy the requirements in the Building Regulations which includes making sure the product is NSAI Agrément (ROI) or BBA/LABC certified (NI). Then specify as much as you can afford to get the best possible U-value, above and beyond the current statutory requirements. Consult Technical Guidance Documents Part L […] More
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in Advice, Design, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Insulation and airtightness: Watchpoints, On site, Pre design, VentilationSelf-build guide to airtightness
Have you ever worn a woolly jumper on a windy day? To keep the shivers out the only solution is to don the coat or parka. Insulation and airtightness barriers work very much in the same way; in fact the analogy also extends to insulation becoming ineffective when wet. Photo taken by Fergal O’ Malley RIAI […] More
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Beyond passive house
To assess the quality of the home you are about to build or buy, energy isn’t the only thing to consider. In this article, we cover: Why an energy efficient house isn’t necessarily an eco house How to assess sustainability What Building Environmental Assessment Methods are and how they go further than building regulations The […] More
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Ventilation systems guide
Whether you’re building or improving your home it’s clear that insulation should be on top of your must-have list. Perhaps less obvious is the need for ventilation, which every house requires, especially those that are airtight and well insulated. In this article we cover: In not-so-well insulated homes, purpose-built vents in the windows and walls […] More
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Don’t be left out in the cold!
What if I was to say there is a detail in your house that is invisible yet can cause enormous damage and discomfort to your building and the people living in it? These places in your house are where heat escapes, rather than where cold air infiltrates. These losses can only be detected after construction […] More
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U Value You Win
U-value: sound familiar? Do you know what it means and why you should? Something to do with energy? That’s getting warmer, and so will you if make sure you are fully aware and understand their importance when you design and build your new house, extension or renovation. Definition U- values are all about the rate […] More
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