€3,000 worth of low carbon concrete up for grabs
Green cement supplier Ecocem are giving away €3,000 of low carbon durable concrete in a competition for residential construction projects.
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British 'green deal' must win consumer confidence, say Velux
Velux has warned that if the British government's 'green deal' fails to win the confidence of consumers it could be a "kick in the teeth" for the energy efficiency retrofit market. The green deal will allow homeowners to pay for energy upgrades via loans paid back through their energy bills.
HPA: it's official, heat pumps offer the lowest running costs
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has introduced estimated running costs for heat pumps into its monthly domestic fuel costs report.
The figures for July released by SEAI now include a section on electricity used by heat pumps, highlighting the difference in operating costs for heat pump technology over other fuels for the first time.
Construct Ireland to rebrand as Passive House Plus
Construct Ireland is to be renamed Passive House Plus, with separate editions published for the Irish and UK markets.
The first issue of Passive House Plus will be published as an Ireland only edition in October, with separate Irish and UK editions set to be published early in 2013.
Bord Gáis calls it quits on home insulation business
Bord Gáis has ceased offering home insulation products and boiler installations through its Home Team division due to a drop off in demand. The company will continue to offer boiler servicing and repair.
The move reflects the recent nationwide decline in home energy upgrades, a trend that is investigated in the new issue of Construct Ireland.
Two thirds of new Irish homes fail energy efficiency rules
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.
Brian Motherway named new chief executive of SEAI
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.
Government launches public consultation on building control
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
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
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.
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Building Life launches thermal bridging course
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.
Goverment launches first green public procurement action plan
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".
Cuts to insulation grants will cost jobs, warns Construct Ireland
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
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.