The Passive House Institute has announced that it certified 134 products last year, a new record. These components included everything from sliding doors and dome lights to balcony systems.

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 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.

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.

Bank of Ireland has launched Ireland's first "green equity release" loan. The new mortgage feature allows customers to unlock equity in their home to invest in energy efficient home improvements.

Homeowners with SEAI grant approval for their home improvements can now avail of the bank’s LTV mortgage rate of 3%.

The ESB has launched Halo, the utility's new home energy upgrade and efficiency service. The Halo Installation Service is designed as a "one-stop solution" for home energy upgrades, the company said.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today announced that it is inviting submissions from manufacturers and suppliers to the new Accelerated Capital Allowances (ACA) equipment categories announced by the government as part of the Finance Act.

Despite the construction industry downturn, Construct Ireland has announced an 11.4 per cent increase in circulation over the last year, the largest percentage circulation increase of any Irish magazine.

Ulster Bank has launched a discounted loan for home improvements carried out through Sustainable Energy Ireland’s Home Energy Saving scheme and Greener Homes Scheme.

Irish renewable heating specialists Evergreen Energy are set to launch a new solar panel designed for typical Irish roofs at the Energy Show next week. The show, organised by Sustainable Energy Ireland, will be held next Wednesday and Thursday, 29 and 30 May, in the RDS, Dublin.

Hempire Building Plaster, a new high-performance natural material that competes with more commonly used products in terms of performance and ease of use but can actually make for better, more pleasant buildings has been developed in Ireland.

Coolpower Products has launched EMMA, their patented energy and micro-generator manager that maximises the value of energy generated by grid-connected micro-generators and minimises the amount and cost of energy imported from the grid.

Dublin-based QRS Renewable Systems has become the sole distributor of Akvaterm products, introducing the Finnish company’s solar hot water cylinders to Ireland for the first time.

Richmond Building Products has announced the launch of its new range of streamline photovoltaic and solar thermal panels.

A new house has used the Smartroof system to improve its thermal performance, reducing its U-values to near unprecedented levels.