Better Retrofit Partnership to set UK’s first performance pledge
Written by Jeff Colley
Four industry leaders will launch their drive for better retrofit standards across the UK at Ecobuild next week with a pledge to assure the post-retrofit performance of traditional solid wall buildings.
AIB has announced the launched of a €350m “new homes development fund” that it says will support the construction of new homes in Dublin, Cork and Galway. The bank is inviting applications from “borrowers who can demonstrate prior experience in residential development”.
The Passive House Institute has announced the results of monitoring of a passive-certified swimming facility in Lünen, Germany, and says its analysis shows that the "savings in terms of energy consumption, for heating as well as for electricity, are substantial compared with other swimming pools".
New passive house components presented in Germany
Written by Lenny Antonelli
.A range of newly certified passive house components were presented in January at the Deubaukom trade fair in Essen, Germany, including windows designed for use in the arctic and northern Scandanvia.
Video: Wolfgang Feist speaking at See The Light '13
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Check out this video below of Passive House Institute founder Prof Wolfgang Feist speaking at last year's See The Light conference in Dublin, which was organised by the Passive House Association of Ireland.
Will nearly zero energy buildings result in a thermal comfort deficit?
Written by Tomás O'Leary
As the UK inches towards zero carbon and nearly zero energy building targets, the construction industry must pay increasing attention to the impacts of regulatory changes on design and construction, argues Passive House Academy founder Tomás O’Leary. But will homes designed using the UK’s national methodology come close to passive house levels of comfort?
Passive House Institute launches 3D design tool
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The Passive House Institute has announced the launch of a 3D model interface that allows for the graphic input of energy related design data.
Ecocem celebrates 10th birthday and reaches million tonne milestone
Written by Lenny Antonelli
Ecocem Materials, producer of environmentally friendly cement, has announced that the company has seen an increase in sales and has reached a significant milestone of exceeding one million tonnes of product sold in the last twelve months. Ecocem Ireland is also celebrating its tenth birthday in 2013.
The Passive House Institute has announced the launch of a new award for window systems.
Glen Dimplex open new Irish R&D facility
Written by Lenny Antonelli
An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny has opened one of the world’s "most advanced research and development facilities for space and water heating technologies" at the Glen Dimplex site in Dunleer, Co Louth.
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Independent experts to make up Irish climate change committee
Written by Jeff Colley
The Irish Department of Environment has confirmed to Passive House Plus that its proposed independent committee on climate change will be an expert rather than stakeholder group.
Riomay brings solar energy to cold warehouse
Written by Lenny Antonelli
A new 100kW solar photovoltaic system is helping to cut carbon emissions at the Snowmountain Enterprises cold storage warehouse in Cambridgeshire.
Leicester med school to be UK's largest non domestic passive building
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The Universiy of Leicester Centre for Medicine will become the UK's largest non domestic passive house building when it is completed in 2015.
Rainwater Harvesting Ltd gets WRAS approval
Written by Lenny Antonelli
RainWater Harvesting Ltd has announce that both its direct feed and award winning gravity-fed Rain Director system have achieved Water Regulation Advisory Scheme approval, ensuring that they comply to all UK regulations.