Major new grants for retrofit & insulation announced
The Irish government has announced significant new grants designed to make it “easier and more affordable” for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades.
person_outline
New EU law will mandate renovation of inefficient buildings
Green groups criticise lack of focus on embodied carbon.
The European Commission is proposing sweeping changes to the way in which energy ratings for buildings are allocated, in a bid to stimulate the retrofit of the worst performing buildings across Europe.
Rebuilt Low Energy Buildings Database to become key international resource
Leading sustainable building association the
AECB has secured funding to create an
international resource to share detailed information
on low energy buildings in the UK, Ireland
and, ultimately, internationally, via a rebuild of
the Low Energy Buildings Database (LEBD).
Disappointment at new building energy standards
Review finds that SAP is not fit for purpose, by Kate de Selincourt.
Let’s get decarbonisation done
While there is much debate about whether we should prioritise retrofitting homes or installing heat pumps, the climate crisis means we may not have a choice but to do both as fast as possible, writes Toby Cambray.
Kilbride Court EPDs
A list of EPDs from product manufacturers used in Kilbride Court.
Heart of oak
A striking new oak-framed passive house in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the English countryside has just opened its doors to the public, and already there has been a flood of guests seeking to experience life in a passive house.
Onwards and upwards
This Enerphit project in the suburbs of South Dublin has dramatically transformed and extended a dated 1970s dwelling by adding an extra storey, radically reducing its energy consumption and creating a smartly-designed, light filled family home and office.
The Saskatchewan House, 1977
In his latest column on the history of low energy building during the 20th century, Dr Marc
Ó Riain looks back at the Saskatchewan House, which was built in Canada in 1977, and
established the principle of prioritising energy demand reduction over active systems.
How will we decarbonise heating?
Insulating our homes is critical and must be our first priority, but how do we get the rest of the way to zero carbon? Dr Peter Rickaby investigates the options…
More...
Cutting embodied carbon: doing more with less
We won’t be able to reduce the embodied carbon of construction fast enough just by switching to lower carbon materials, says Pat Barry of the Irish Green Building Council, so we urgently need smart design that allows us to build with less, and to create a genuine circular economy for building materials.
When is an A-rated home really A-rated?
Does the energy rating of homes actually reflect their real-world performance? Dr Shane Colclough, vice chair of the Passive House Association of Ireland, outlines the growing importance of post-occupancy analysis.
International - Issue 39
This issue features a passive house hostel situated in the town of Zegama, on the route of the Camino de Santiago.
Housing for all: a plan in need of a story
Under its new housing plan, the government wants the state to acquire more land for housebuilding. But why has it failed to use the vast land banks it already owns? Mel Reynolds runs the rule over the figures.