Case Study focus
NuTech public sector and award winning Projects
Local Authorities are now moving to the forefront of sustainability and are pioneering energy efficient homes. Recent changes in Republic of Ireland legislation in particular to part L of the building regulations have been largely attributed to the uptake.
Social Housing Projects
Fingal County Council
36 houses consisting of 76 square metre 2 bedroom bungalows and 98 square metre 3 bedroom houses
Energy Rating A3 rating and one house at A2
Structure: Timberframe, KTF, Ardee
In order to reach the A3 and A2 rating NuTech were integral in providing the renewable energy component.
A unique integrated system NuTech’ 140 Sunwarm was used in the houses which involved linking solar air collectors to the heat recovery ventilation and a solar hot water system and heat pump was also integrated. This system provided the homes with hot water through a flat plate collector and integrates a ventilation system that maximises the energy efficiency. With this system windows do not have to be left open for ventilation and in addition it provides healthier more pleasant environment for residents as dust is reduced by up to 95%.
In Winter as much solar energy available is collected and distributed to hot water storage and ventilated throughout the home. This will reduce the reliance needed on the main heating source and in conjunction reduce electricity bills. In Summer the heating may not be required and a preferred cooling effect may bedesired as all solar energy is used to heat the water in the storage cylinder and the ventilation system circulates cool air.
Knockananna, County Wicklow
22 houses situated on a site sloping to the South which was ideal for the utilisation of solar energy
• NuTech offered a full consultancy service on this project to optimise the energy savings and were closely involved in the build process to ensure the houses and systems were meeting the set criteria.
• Appropriate levels of insulation to reduce heat loss through the fabric
• A designed level of air-tightness
• A specially designed heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system and solar collectors which were used to improved the annual solar yield.
• Wood pellet stoves/boilers were installed to provide the homes with back-up energy. The stove chosen has a maximum 10kw with 20% of its energy going directly to the room by way of radiant and convention heat while the remaining 80% is delivered to the hot water circuit.
• NuTech spent time with residents showing them how best to use the systems so occupants can get the full benefits from a lifestyle and economic perspective.
NuTech are currently monitoring both the fuel usage and average house temperatures which will ideally assist us in developing the optimum system that is both practical and economical.
CLEVER Homes Project
Award winning CLEVER Homes (Comfortable Living Environment & Energy Reducing Homes) Project.
Winner of the UK Housing Award for Excellence in Delivering Efficiency.
No. of Houses: Systems were installed in 120 houses across Northern Ireland.
Innovative cross border project managed by Northern Ireland Energy Agency and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and overseen by a cross-border steering group to demonstrate two types of solar ventilation technologies.
Objectives of Scheme:
• To enhance indoor air quality.
• Reduce energy consumption and bills.
• Improve the health and quality of life of the occupants.
Renewable Features:
NuTech Installed a NuTech Sunwarm 140 system which provided ventilation along with solar water heating.
NuTech Sunwarm 140 is a significant breakthrough in innovative and environmentally friendly, solar energy technology. It is a British made system that has been specifically designed to operate in the Irish and UK climates.
It is a complete system that provides solar heated hot water, solar airheating, home ventilation and air-cooling.
NuTech Sunwarm 140 works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to the priority settings you choose on a simple, easy to use control panel.
Insulation: Cavity wall and/or loft insulation installed if required
Monitoring: 22% of participant households were monitored before and after for changes in temperature, humidity and air pollutants.
