Certified passive buildings now cover 1 million square metres
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The combined floor area of certified passive buildings worldwide has reached the one million metre mark with the certification of a retrofit project in Santa Cruz, California.
The passive house standard may be acceptable as an alternative method of compliance with Ireland’s stringent energy efficiency regulations, according to a leading expert in energy and construction law, leaving the door open to a similar approach in the UK.
Showcase presents low energy German-Irish projects
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Last week, the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce showcased five Irish low energy building projects that incorporated German energy effiiciency technology. The projects include a certified passive house, a radiant heating ceiling system, and two CHP units.
Ecological Building Systems launches build fabric training programme
Written by Dudley Colley
Following a successful World Green Building Week series of seminars and demonstrations in September, Ecological Building Systems has announced a series of new training courses and seminars.
Genvex units bring heat, fresh air & hot water to award-winning scheme
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The Burnham Overy Staithe development in North Norfolk picked up a prestigious UK Passivhaus Award in October, and is profiled in depth on page 28 of the new issue of Passive House Plus.
Mitsubishi launches air-source heat pumps with up to 440% SPF
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The line-up for the self-contained outdoor units now boasts 5kW, 8.5kW, 11.2kW and 14kW units, to make Ecodan suitable for almost any situation.
Passive house can help alleviate fuel poverty — report
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Hastoe Housing Association has released the findings of a two year study on its first passive house housing development, Wimbish in Essex. The study found that the development performs as designed and delivers very low heating bills for residents.
Conference hears of urgent need to upskill Irish construction workers
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Dublin’s old city wall in Woodquay provided the backdrop on Wednesday 15 October to a conference, titled 'Better Than Best Practice', on the urgent need to upskill the Irish construction industry.
Irish construction industry not ready for new EU energy standards
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Nearly a third of construction professionals did not know about the nearly-zero energy requirement for all new buildings by the year 2020, according to a survey of Passive House Plus readers.
New passive house design challenge for students
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The Passive House Association of Ireland has announced its inaugural all-Ireland design charrette, in UCD on 5 and 6 November, in advance of its annual conference which takes place on 7 November in UCD.
Majority of Dublin homes have D energy rating or lower
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The majority of homes in Dublin city have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of D1 or lower, according to figures released by Dublin’s energy agency Codema.
Advantage Austria to host passive house CPD event in Edinburgh on 2 October
Written by Jeff Colley
Advantage Austria is to host a CPD-oriented presentation and networking event on passive house and low carbon building in Edinburgh on 2 October.
JG Speedfit launches new underfloor heating controls
Written by Lenny Antonelli
JG Speedfit has announced the official market launch of their new underfloor heating controls range, JG Aura, which is designed to allow for a more flexible and efficient remote regulation of any underfloor and central heating system as well as individual radiator control.
Irish housing supply could double within two years - CIF
Written by Jeff Colley
The supply of housing could double within two years if the government were to follow seven simple steps, according to the Construction Industry Federation. The CIF has suggested that these measures could see 20,000 housing units built a year by 2016, curtailing the excessive prices rises in the Dublin housing market.