lowCO2design
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Air-tightness and Insulation are 2 different causes of heat loss, but must be paired with proper ventilation and the correct material installation, to avoid condensation and a lack of fresh air that can lead to health issues in our homes
Most up to date architects and often the more practical architectural technician/ technologist, can advise on building fabric issues. (Please do not employ a BER assessor unless they have an arch, structural engineer or building surveying background). Form here your professional will direct you to appropriate materials, installers or consultants such as air-tightness or damp specialists. With air-tightness and insulation many situation has several possible solutions but often just as many consequences and that's why a professional consultation is worth while.
We have a population that is now aware that energy costs will keep rising but they want cheap solutions to reduce heat loss and improve their [broken link removed] home comfort. There are generally two distinct levels of dealing with drafty or cold houses: Invasive often considered expensive work (60 labour: 40 materials approx) or the DIY’er messing about with expanding foam and silicone. The latter suits most people (until there's a problem) when it’s often the former that's required.
The following are a few articles/references that give some good pointers
regulations and government reports
[broken link removed]
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,18749,en.pdf (Limiting Thermal Bridging and Air Infiltration Acceptable Construction Details)
[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
refurb-airtightness (read and scroll to the end for more good links)
the new Building regulations now covers alterations to existing buildings and sets out a certain standard http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,27316,en.pdf (part L TGD 2011) also see: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/ (BuildingStandards)
air-leakage & quality
traditional-buildings-air-quality-energy-efficiency
[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
ventilation
[broken link removed]
designing-good-ventilation-system
retro-fitting[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
passivhausrefurb
[broken link removed] (note the use of natural [broken link removed] materials)
[broken link removed]
josephlittle's studies breaking the mould
[broken link removed] (external wall insulation)
airtightness-membranes and tapes: the Irish market leaders are probably [broken link removed] or siga as they offer some sort of guarantee lifespan
here's one forum where the poster dealt with drafts properly
a few other reports:
[broken link removed]
Advanced calculations of moisture movement in structures
BS5250 Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings
Bre 297 surface condensation and mould
Most up to date architects and often the more practical architectural technician/ technologist, can advise on building fabric issues. (Please do not employ a BER assessor unless they have an arch, structural engineer or building surveying background). Form here your professional will direct you to appropriate materials, installers or consultants such as air-tightness or damp specialists. With air-tightness and insulation many situation has several possible solutions but often just as many consequences and that's why a professional consultation is worth while.
We have a population that is now aware that energy costs will keep rising but they want cheap solutions to reduce heat loss and improve their [broken link removed] home comfort. There are generally two distinct levels of dealing with drafty or cold houses: Invasive often considered expensive work (60 labour: 40 materials approx) or the DIY’er messing about with expanding foam and silicone. The latter suits most people (until there's a problem) when it’s often the former that's required.
The following are a few articles/references that give some good pointers
regulations and government reports
[broken link removed]
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,18749,en.pdf (Limiting Thermal Bridging and Air Infiltration Acceptable Construction Details)
[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
refurb-airtightness (read and scroll to the end for more good links)
the new Building regulations now covers alterations to existing buildings and sets out a certain standard http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,27316,en.pdf (part L TGD 2011) also see: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/ (BuildingStandards)
air-leakage & quality
traditional-buildings-air-quality-energy-efficiency
[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
ventilation
[broken link removed]
designing-good-ventilation-system
retro-fitting[broken link removed]
[broken link removed]
passivhausrefurb
[broken link removed] (note the use of natural [broken link removed] materials)
[broken link removed]
josephlittle's studies breaking the mould
[broken link removed] (external wall insulation)
airtightness-membranes and tapes: the Irish market leaders are probably [broken link removed] or siga as they offer some sort of guarantee lifespan
here's one forum where the poster dealt with drafts properly
a few other reports:
[broken link removed]
Advanced calculations of moisture movement in structures
BS5250 Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings
Bre 297 surface condensation and mould