11.12.2 Energy Performance Buildings
11.12.2 Energy Performance of Buildings
Arising from the Recast of the European Performance of Buildings Directive 2010/30/EU, from 1 January 2019, every new public building will have to be designed to nearly zero energy building standards. Also, all other new buildings will have to comply with the new nearly zero energy buildings standards from 1 January 2021. The Council will have regard to the DoEHLG publication Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland Planning for 2020 and Beyond and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU) which promote the increase in nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). The Council promotes the development of low carbon buildings.
Energy efficiency and the renewable requirements for new buildings including new residential development are addressed in the Building Regulations Part L. The aim of Part L is to limit the use of fossil fuel energy and related CO2 emissions arising from the operation of the building.
11.12.2.1 Alternative Energy Systems for Large Buildings
For large buildings over 1,000m2, S.I. No. 666 of 2006 requires that due consideration has been given to the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of installing alternative energy systems in the proposed building, and that the use of such systems has been taken into account, as far as practicable, in the design of that building.
The preferred methodology for assessing the feasibility of such alternative energy systems shall be the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland software tool or other acceptable methodology as defined in (S.I. No. 666 of 2006).
This shall also apply to all new planning application for housing schemes of ten or more units.
11.12.2.2 Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure
Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) is the official Irish procedure for calculating and assessing the energy performance of dwellings. Published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the procedure takes account of the energy required, for space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting, less savings from energy generation technologies. It calculates both the CO2 emission rate and energy consumption per annum. This is a useful tool for designers when considering and comparing options to conserve energy and reduce CO2 emission. The right design decisions in relation to building form, dwelling layout, levels of insulation, amount and orientation of glazing, utilisation of solar energy, heating system and fuel type, use of draught lobbies, construction materials and measures to conserve potable water, can contribute greatly to sustainability. In addition, these will lead to cost savings, in the long term, while raising the level of comfort for the occupants of the dwelling.
DEAP is also used to calculate the Building Energy Rating (BER) of a dwelling. The BER is a label containing the energy performance of the dwelling, expressed as primary energy use per unit floor area per year (kWh/m2/per annum) and illustrated as an Energy Rating (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc) for the dwelling, it also includes a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions Indicator (kgCO2/m2/yr) associated with this energy use and an advisory report.