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Architecture

 

Renewable Energy Scheme

From 1st Jan 2009 all homes sold or rented must carry an energy rating cert (B.E.R.)"

Since 1st July 2008 the amended Part L of the Building Regulations is now in force, bringing our homes into a new era of environmental responsibility.

New homes will be required to be built to specifications where they produce on average 40% less CO2 than previous standard new homes. The new rules will apply to all new housing planning applications after 1st July 2008. From 1st July 2009 they will apply to all new homes that have not been substantially completed.

CRONIN HOMES PROVIDE

Architecture

  • An energy assessment on your existing home
  • Consultation on how to improve the energy efficiency in your home
  • Assist with grant application
  • Free quotation to carry out works & installations of new systems that you have chosen
  • We provide homes that will have a heating system which is not run on oil or gas or any solid fuel. Call our office for further information.
  • Upon completion we provide a BER (Building Energy Rating) Cert on your home
  • Cronin Homes are advocates in energy efficiency and can assist you in the right direction to the renewable energy systems that is right for you and what are your most economical options

WE INCLUDE SOLAR PANELS AS STANDARD IN ALL HOMES WE BUILD.

NEW REGULATIONS WILL ENSURE

  • A 40% reduction in CO2 emissions
  • A mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement in all new homes, such as solar heating systems or biomass systems, e.g. solar panels, wind turbines, air to water heating systems, geothermal
  • Minimum standards on heating systems to ensure they are highly energy efficient
  • Air tightness testing, to ensure the homes are not leaking heat excessively
  • Guidance on ensuring a minimum quality of workmanship and construction

The Greener Homes Scheme managed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) provides grants (second hand houses only) to those wanting to install sustainable energy systems in their homes i.e.

  • Upgrade insulation
  • Solar panels
  • Air to water heat pumps
  • Geothermal heat pumps
  • Air tight houses i.e. draft proof
  • Wind turbines
  • Heat recovery units
  • Wood pellet stoves among others
    TO QUALIFY FOR THE GRANT YOUR HOME MUST BE AT LEAST ONE YEAR OLD

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY?

  • Reduce your electricity and heating bills by up to 80%
  • You will not be held to ransom on future oil and gas prices
  • Your home will comply to all new mandatory regulations
  • You will be making a vital contribution to reducing climate change
  • The regulations are aimed at ensuring that new housing stock in Ireland is built to the highest international standards, where they will be cheaper to run and will have a much lower impact on the environment.

MANDATORY
There is a mandatory inclusion of at least one form of renewable energy source for new homes falling under Part L 2008. Every house will be different and Cronin Homes will give you advice and choices on how to meet compliance.

SAVINGS

These regulations are the first dramatic step in the process of achieving carbon zero housing. The benefit to the consumer in savings on energy costs, as we face into an uncertain future with regard to carbon based fuel costs, will be a huge benefit to homeowners. It will also make a significant contribution to Ireland’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas levels.

NEW STANDARDS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY

  • Significant improvements in wall, roof and floor insulation levels
  • Air testing to ensure homes are not leaking excessive heat will also be required.
  • Boilers will have to perform to minimum efficiency standards.
  • Some form of renewable energy such as
    • Solar thermal heating
    • The use of energy efficient lighting (in the region of half of all fixed lights)
    • Heating systems will be required to have thermostats, time controls and, in larger homes, heating zones.
    • The guidelines will also provide a new emphasis on workmanship, and for the first time require that vendors provide consumer information to buyers on the operation of the home’s heating and energy control systems.

FUTURE IMPROVMENTS

The policy aim of achieving zero carbon homes in the future is stated for the first time in these new guidelines. It states that a review to improve the regulations further (to 60% above current levels) will be carried out in 2010.

The document states: “This revision of Part L represents a significant step towards the optimisation of the efficiency of energy use in new dwellings and the minimization of related CO2 emissions. It is intended that the standards specified here will be tightened further in 2010. The aim is to achieve zero carbon emissions associated with the operation and use of buildings, at the earliest date practicable.”