Two thirds of new Irish homes fail energy efficiency rules
Written by News Desk
Less than a third of new Irish homes meet energy efficiency and carbon emissions regulations, according to new figures. The number of new homes meeting the rules has also declined dramatically since 2005, according to data released by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
Dr Brian Motherway has been appointed chief executive officer of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Motherway joined SEAI in 2006 and has recently held the role of chief operations officer. He holds bachelor and master's degrees in chemical engineering and a PhD in Sociology.
Central Bank pay double for Anglo site, green regenerative proposal shunned
Written by Jeff Colley
The Central Bank's reported €8m bid for the site on which the defunct Anglo Irish Bank's ghost HQ sits may be double the market value, it has been claimed.
Architect Paschal Mahoney – who is heading up the innovative Trees on the Quays proposal to create a landmark vertical park from the iconic concrete shell for the Anglo HQ – had an independent valuation of the site done as part of a proposal to turn the defunct structure into a symbol and catalyst of Ireland's regeneration.
"I've heard from several sources that people have valued it and the price the Central Bank are offering may be about twice the actual value," Mahoney told Construct Ireland. "We've had it independently valued too. The price being offered is almost twice what the valuers have told us its worth. The taxpayer would be paying €8m for something we already own."
Government launches public consultation on building control
Written by News Desk
The government has launched a public consultation on its proposed new building control regulations. Environment minister Phil Hogan announced the new rules last year following the high profile failure of the Priory Hall development in Dublin to meet fire regulations, but details have just been released.
Cygnum innovation cuts costs on closed panel cellulose
Written by Jeff Colley
Leading Irish timber frame manufacturer Cygnum is launching a pioneering closed low embodied carbon panelised building system that integrates cellulose insulation.
The Precision system has been developed by the company to drive down the costs of a building system that’s becoming increasingly popular due to its thermal performance, healthiness and low environmental impact.
Fuel poverty finally taken seriously - Energy Action
Written by News Desk
Fuel poverty has “come of age” in the last 3 years and great strides have been made in understanding the scale of the problem, Christine Liddell, professor of psychology at Ulster University, said in her keynote address to the Energy Action conference in Dublin Castle on Monday, 6 February.
Citing British research as an example, she stressed that any investment made in tackling fuel poverty would be recouped by the state.
Building Life Consultancy is to hold two-day thermal bridge assessor workshops in Dublin on 16-17 February, 12-13 April, and 7- 8 June. The workshops are intended for architects, engineers, technologists, BER assessors, CEPH designers, insulation suppliers, and anyone with a focus on fabric performance and detailing.
"There has been increased demand for hands-on training in thermal bridge calculation and surface condensation risk assessment to meet the latest IS, BS, ISO Standards,” Building Life Consultancy’s Joseph Little told Construct Ireland.
Are local authorities ignoring government BER advice?
Written by Lenny AntonelliConstruct Ireland this week wrote to every local authority in the country to ask whether they follow Department of Environment advice to request building energy rating calculations at an early stage in the construction of every dwelling. The advice is designed to help ensure homes comply with Part L of the building regulations, which deal with energy efficiency.
Last year, the department told Construct Ireland that only eleven of the country's local authorities follow this "best practice", which was suggested in a circular letter sent out by department officials in 2009. The letter read:
"There is a possibility that some completed dwellings with be found by Building Control Officers (BCOs) to be non-compliant with Part L. This presents a practical difficulty in that remedial action may be difficult and expensive to achieve. In order to avoid such a situation, it is considered that best practice from an enforcement point of view would be for BCOs to ask for the Deap calculations at an early stage in the construction process. It will be readily apparent from the Deap calculations as to whether the design of the proposed building is fully compliant with Part L."
Goverment launches first green public procurement action plan
Written by News Desk
Environment minister Phil Hogan and public expenditure and reform minister Brendan Howlin today launched Green Tenders, Ireland's first green public procurement action plan. The aim of the plan is to encourage public authorities to purchase more sustainable products and services.
The action plan stresses that green public procurement can be a "driver for innovation" and "provide a competitive advantage for emerging companies".
Time lapse of passive house construction, Co Wicklow
Written by Lenny AntonelliMore...
Cuts to insulation grants will cost jobs, warns Construct Ireland
Written by Jeff Colley
The government's cuts to its Better Energy grants will cost jobs and make it extremely difficult for Ireland to meet its retrofit and energy reduction targets, green building magazine Construct Ireland has warned.
Following the budget, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland reduced grants for cavity wall insulation from €320 to €350. Grants for internal and external wall insulation were also reduced — previously these were €2,000 and and €4,000 respectively, but now separate rates have been introduced for different house types, with the maximum being €1,800 for internal insulation and €3,600 for external.
Unpublished SEAI report showed systemic building control failure
Written by Jeff Colley
An unpublished 2005 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland report found that new homes were failing to meet minimum energy efficiency, ventilation and fire safety regulations during the boom.
Ireland's septic tanks net zero NY campus thumbs down to white roofs?
Written by Lenny AntonelliHi all, it's been a ridiculously long time since I've updated the blog for various reasons, sorry about that. More normal service should resume now. Here's a few interesting links to get things kick-started again.
What lies beneath — Ireland's septic tanks Ireland After Nama
Activity map of Ireland's unfinished estates, 2011 Ireland After Nama
Fibreglass company threatens to sue blogger (interesting story) Green Building Advisor
Top ten air leaks in existing homes Green Building Advisor
A net zero energy campus in New York city Green Building Advisor
Bigger houses, smaller energy bills: can it be done? Reuters
In the US, the energy efficiency of a house could soon be factored into a home's value Los Angeles Times
Plans to combat global warming by painting roofs white could backfire Guardian
A ground breaking performance-based advertising system developed by
green building and upgrading magazine Construct Ireland has been
nominated for an innovation gong at the Irish Magazine Awards.
The bold offer means companies advertising green products and services
in Construct Ireland don’t have to pay for adverts until they receive a
pre-agreed number of reader enquiries.