Explanation of the nZEB building energy rating and how it influences the design of buildings differently in Ireland and in the UK.

1. #PassiveLogical
Understanding Renewables in DEAP
Simon McGuinness MRIAI, Dip.Arch., B.Arch.Sc., CEPHD

2. DEAP: New Build, Retrofit & Renewables
 Current Building Regulations
 Residential - A3
 Non-Residential - 2005
 Retrofit
 Future Building Regulations to meet EPBD/EED (nZEB)
 Residential to nZEB
 Non-Residential to nZEB
 Retrofit to nZEB
 Renewables requirement in DEAP
 Case Study: BRE Scotland,
 Case Study: Galway Passive House Retrofit

4. DEAP – Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
 Only acceptable proof of
compliance with Part L for
new build
 EPC < 0.400 and
 CPC < 0.460
 Does not yet apply to
retrofit, extensions or
material changes
 BER required if grants are
sought from SEAI
 BER required for property
sale, lease of all properties

5. DEAP – calculation of energy systems
Primary energy and CO2
factors for space heating

6. DEAP – calculation of energy systems

7. DEAP – calculation of energy systems
CHIMNEY/OPEN FIRE:
- Fuel efficiency penalty
- Ventilation losses
penalty
- CO2 penalty

8. DEAP – PE factor for Electricity

9. DEAP – Renewables as % of total energy

10. DEAP – Projected PE factor

11. DEAP – Effect of PE reduction to 1.4
Dwelling built in 2013 with air/water heat pump, PV panel and underfloor heating

12. DEAP – Effect of PE reduction to 1.4
Dwelling built in 2013 with air/water heat pump, PV panel and underfloor heating
2014 BER assessment 2024 BER assessment
1.0 ach 6.7 ach

13. DEAP – Effect of airtightness
Dwelling designed in 2014 with air/water heat pump, PV panel, radiators and MVHR
6.7 ach
1.0 ach

14. DEAP – Effect of airtightness + PE factor
Dwelling designed in 2014 with air/water heat pump, PV panel, radiators and MVHR
6.7 ach
1.0 ach 1.0 ach + 1.4 PEf

15. PHPP – Effect of airtightness
Passive House retrofit designed in 2012 with air/water heat pump, radiators and MVHR
Typical Irish
New Build
to Part L 2011
6.7 ach
Good Irish
Passive
House Retrofit
0.37 ach

16. Simplification of RES for New Build
2008 (BER of B3) 2014 (BER of A3)
 Wood pellet boiler
 Pellet storage & delivery
 Radiators & Underfloor
 Solar Thermal
 200ltr HWC
 Immersion backup
 3 zones time control
 20,000 kWh/y
 €16,000
 140 man-hrs, 3 subcontractors
 High maintenance cost
 Heat pump
 Low temp radiators
 PV array
 300ltr Accumulator
 Immersion backup
 Time/temp/compensation
 6,000 kWh/y
 €13,000
 70 man-hrs, 1 subcontractor
 Low maintenance cost

17. Further Simplification of RES for nZEB
2016 Rural (nZEB) 2016 Urban (nZEB)
 Wood pellet boiler
 Pellet storage & delivery
 Radiators & Underfloor
 200ltr HWC
 Immersion backup
 Time/temp/compensation
 6,000 kWh/y
 €10,000
 120 man-hrs, 2
subcontractors
 Moderate maintenance cost
 Electric radiators
 PV array
 Instantaneous water heaters
 4,500 kWh/y
 €7,000
 40 man-hrs, 1 subcontractor
 Very low maintenance cost

18. Building Regulations for Retrofit
 0.1.3 Existing dwellings
 0.1.3.1
 This amendment applies to all works to
existing dwellings that are covered by
the requirements of the Building
Regulations, including extensions,
material alterations, material changes of
use and window and door replacement.
 In carrying out this work, the aim should
be to limit energy requirements for the
operation of the dwelling and associated
CO2 emissions as far as practicable as
required by Regulation L1.
 Specifically, Regulation L2(d) provides
that replacement oil and gas boilers
should achieve a seasonal efficiency of
90% where practicable. The key issues
to be addressed are: -

19. Building Regulations - RETROFIT
Main Requirement Applicability
Fabric insulation:
- sub-sections 2.1.2 and 2.1.3
Backstop U-values, Glazing area %,
LTB, Condensation Risk Analysis,
Air tightness:
- sub-section 2.1.4
Specify, detail, inspect and record
installation (no testing required)
Boiler efficiency:
- sub-section 2.2.2
90% efficient from HARP database
Building Services Controls:
- sub-section 2.2.3
Time and temperature control to
extension, remainder retained as is
Insulation of pipes, ducts and
vessels:
- sub-section 2.2.4
Insulate any modifications to the
primary pipework, or any running
outside of the thermal envelope

23. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
 Article 9
 (a) by 31 December 2020, all new buildings are nearly zero-energy
buildings; and
 (b) after 31 December 2018, new buildings occupied and owned by public
authorities are nearly zero-energy buildings
 Member States shall draw up national plans for increasing the number of
nearly zero-energy buildings. develop policies and take measures such as
the setting of targets in order to stimulate the transformation of buildings
that are refurbished into nearly zero-energy buildings, and
 Article 5
 Cost optimal retrofitting based on LCA
 Article 7
 More than 25% of surface area retrofitted

24. Building Regulations – Part L, 2016?
 0.1.3 Existing dwellings …
 Where over 25% of surface
area is effected by the
works (e.g. window
replacement)
 Energy performance must
be nZEB (possibly a BER of
A2?)
 Can be achieved in one or
more steps as part of a
strategic plan
 But must be based on an
economic appraisal (LCA) of
what is “cost optimal”

25. Case Studies
#PassiveLogic
Simon McGuinness MRIAI, Dip.Arch., B.Arch.Sc., CEPHD
al

26. Building Research Establishment
BRE Scotland, Ravenscraig

27. BRE Innovation Park

28. 4-in-a-Block Retrofit

29. Energy Result

30. BRE Retrofit Analysis
DEAP 180 kWh/m2a “C2” SAP 202 kWh/m2a “B” 85

32. BRE Retrofit Analysis
DEAP 35 kWh/m2a “A2” SAP 104 kWh/m2a “B” 83

34. Systems Strategy: All Electric
DEAP 42 kWh/m2a BER - A2

35. Renewables Strategy: PV

36. Fabric Strategy - U-values
1.72 W/m2K 0.22 W/m2K 0.11 W/m2K

37. Ventilation Strategy: Demand
Controlled

39. Sustainability Assessment

40. Case Study – Passive House retrofit
Passive House Systems
 4.5kW A-W Heat Pump
 3 low temp radiators
 250ltr Accumulator HWC
 MVHR with post-heater
 1,800 kWh/y space heat demand
 €15,000
 100 man-hours, 1 contractor
 Low maintenance

41. PHPP Retrofit – Certification Pending
Passive House retrofit designed in 2012 with air/water heat pump, radiators and MVHR
BER?
…
B1

43. PHPP Retrofit – Certification Pending
Passive House retrofit designed in 2012 with air/water heat pump, radiators and MVHR

44. DIT School of Architecture, Bolton St
Advanced professional courses for Assigned, Design and Ancillary
Certifiers under S.I. 9 2014 (Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and
Architectural Technologists)
 Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Analysis & Energy Retrofit
1 year part-time, Fridays, €2,350
 MSc in Energy Retrofit
2.5 years part-time, Fridays, €2,350 per year
 Postgraduate Certificate in Linear Thermal Bridge modelling
15 weeks part-time €1,200 (NSAI Registered)

45. Follow me on twitter: @PassiveLogical
Simon McGuinness MRIAI, Dip.Arch., B.Arch.Sc., CEPHD