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| Pete Redmonds Passive Home as seen on RTE's "I want a Garden" |
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Since 1st January 2007, following an EU directive, all new houses require a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate. This rating is based on a theoretical assessment of the energy performance of the dwelling.
BER performance bands range from A1 (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). Although there is no stipulation on what rating your house must achieve, many people will pay more at the outset to achieve a high rating in order to reduce running costs and improve environmental performance over their lifetime.
Ratings are based on primary energy consumption measured in kWh/m2/yr. A figure of 158 kWh/m2/yr, which complies with 2005 building regulations, has a C1 rating. A figure of 70 kWh/ m2/yr has an A3 rating. Two of the measures which contribute to large reductions in energy consumption are, ‘Improved ground floor and external wall insulation’ and ‘Reduced thermal bridging in external fabric.’
The low thermal conductivity of QUINN lite Thermal blocks improves U-values through external walls thus improving their insulating properties. A U-value through the wall of not greater than 0.20 w/m2K is recommended to achieve ‘A-rated’ home status. The table opposite outlines a number of ways in which this can be achieved. The use of QUINN-lite foundation blocks eliminates the problems with thermal bridging at the junction between the ground floor slab and the inner leaf. Problems with thermal bridging at window reveals can also be easily overcome without the need for proprietary cavity closers.
