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Ireland’s First Energy net Positive House (ileeid+ House) |
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Ireland’s First Energy net Positive HousePatrick Daly energy and environmental
building consultant www.besrac.net
 Designed by Patrick Daly the ileeid+ house is one of Ireland’s
most energy efficient homes being zero energy and is a first of its kind in Ireland as it is
actually anticipated to be energy positive. In BER terms it rates ‘off the
existing scale’, being energy and carbon positive in DEAP terms, and would
equate to an A++.
The key to achieving such a low energy
house lay primarily in the form and fabric of the house with the specification
being beyond the Passive standard resulting in an ultra low heating demand and
the primary energy demand being for hot water followed by electrical lighting,
cooking and appliances. The hot water is met in part by a solar hot water
system and a high temperature heat pump, resulting in the house being
effectively all electric, with the annual energy (electricity) load being met
by a PV array on the southerly roof.
Vital to achieving this target was the
construction of the external envelope which is super insulated to U values of
0.1 and super airtight. The wall construction utilises a unique twin stud
solution, which allows a continuity of insulation to floor and roof while avoid
thermal bridging. Critically the timber frame was made super wind tight
externally via external sheet of wall and roof and plant on eaves and barges
with warm roof constructions, eliminating the dreaded cold roof eaves detail.
The timber frame supplied and erected by
Riverview Timberframe Ltd was built from predominantly native grown Irish
timber, untreated, except for base timbers and sole plates, complementing the
overall low embodied energy and low toxicity aspects of the design.
The house is expected to be open for
educational visits including specialist seminars for designers, contractors and
suppliers.
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Riverview Gallery 