Ireland - Overview information
It contains overview information for Ireland regarding the current status of implementation of Directive 2002/91/EC in buildings. DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure) and BER (Building Energy Rating) are introduced.
Table of Contents
Articles 3 and 4: Adaptation of a methodology and energy performance requirements
· The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was passed into law on 4th January 2006 and will be implemented on a phased basis over 3 years.
· A draft Action Plan for Implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in Ireland was published on behalf of the EPBD Working Group on April 27th 2005. It proposes to apply to:
o new dwellings from 1st January 2007
o new buildings other than dwellings from 1st January 2008
o existing dwellings and existing buildings other than dwellings for sale or rental from 1st January 2009
· The draft action plan also sets out the timetable for decisions on an Irish methodology and software, training requirements and commercial aspects. A new revised Action Plan has gone to Government for approval and is due to issue by middle of 2006.
Methodologies
· Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) appointed consultants to adapt the UK 2005 SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure – new build) and RD SAP (Reduced dataset – existing build) to Irish conditions for EPBD implementation in Ireland.
SEI has now approved the DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure). DEAP is drawn from the UK 2005 SAP and has been modified to Irish conditions. DEAP will be included in the new TGD Part L (Irish Regulations) that will be issued in July 2006. User friendly DEAP software should be available in December 2006.
Article 5: New Buildings
Below is extract from Irelands Action Plan for implementation of EPBD for new buildings
· For Ireland, Part L/ Technical Guidance Document (TGD) L will be reviewed, on a phased basis, as follows:
o Phase 1 (2005/2006): Setting higher energy performance / insulation standards for new non-residential buildings, covering the main issues identified in the Annex to the Directive, revised energy performance assessment methodology for new residential buildings and setting energy performance standards for major renovations of large existing buildings (over 1,000 m2) in accordance with the requirements of the Directive - to be operative from [1 January 2006] subject to the usual 3 year transitional exemption for new buildings for which planning permission is applied for on or before [31 December 2005];
o Phase 2 (2006/2007): Setting energy performance assessment methodology for new non-residential buildings - to be operative from [1 January 2008].
Feasibility assessment of alternative energy systems for large new buildings over 1000 m2 (approx. 10,800 square feet)
· The technical, environmental and economic feasibility of alternative energy systems (e.g. renewable energy systems, CHP, district/block heating, heat pumps) must be considered before construction – either on a case by case basis or by reference to the results of recognised feasibility studies for building categories, e.g. schools, hotels.
· For Ireland, it is proposed to commission relevant national feasibility studies aimed at providing such generic reference resources to design teams in relation to such options. The requirement to take account of these technologies will be implemented by [1 July 2006].
Article 6: Existing Buildings
Minimum energy performance standards for major renovation of large buildings (over 1,000 m2)
· Minimum energy performance standards must be set for major renovation of large buildings (over 1,000 m2). “Major renovation” is not defined in the Directive. There are practical problems in seeking to define “major renovation” by reference to the estimated cost of the works in relation to the market value of an existing building. Accordingly, it is proposed to use the existing definition of “material alteration”, under the Irish Building Regulations, to define “major renovation”.
· Minimum cost effective energy performance requirements must be applied to the building as a whole or to the renovated building components or systems. For Ireland, it is proposed to apply the energy performance requirements to the building components or systems being renovated and to review existing requirements and make appropriate amendments in the Phase 1 amendments to the Building Regulations to be operative from [1 January 2006].
Article 7: Energy certificate
· On 4th January 2006, the EPBD was passed into Irish law. From the start of 2006 ‘energy rating labels,’ similar to the type found on electrical appliances, will be phased in for nearly all buildings in Ireland over a three year period.
o 2007 An energy rating will be required for new dwellings
o 2008 The energy rating will be extended to include new non-residential buildings as well as new public service buildings
o 2009 The energy rating will apply to all existing dwellings, all existing non-residential buildings, and all existing public service buildings
Building Energy Rating (BER) – Newly constructed buildings and existing buildings, when let or sold
· A BER from an independent and suitably qualified assessor must be supplied to the owner or by the builder/owner/landlord to a prospective buyer/tenant when a building is constructed, sold or let. A BER shall be valid for a maximum of 10years.
· The BER is to be accompanied by an Advisory Report containing recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the energy performance of the building.
· For Ireland, the necessary technical and administrative provisions must first be put in place to be followed by the training of the necessary relevant experts.
Prominent display of a BER in large public service buildings, over 1,000 m2
· A “public service building” is a building occupied by a public authority and by institutions providing a public service for a large number of persons. In such buildings of over 1000 m2 it will be required that a BER, not more than 10 years old, is displayed in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.
· For Ireland, it is proposed to research and develop the necessary information, analysis and database facilities to enable public service bodies to fulfil this requirement. Implementation is linked to the programme for the introduction of BER requirements outlined above and it is proposed to implement this requirement for new public service buildings from [1 January 2008] and for existing large public service buildings from [1 January 2009].
Article 8: Inspection of boilers
Improvement of energy efficiency of larger boiler systems (with effective rated output of more than 20kW)
· To improve the energy efficiency of larger boiler systems Member States can either (a) introduce mandatory regular boiler inspections of boilers fired by non-renewable liquid or solid fuel of an effective rated output >20kW and of (building) heating systems with large boilers (>20kW) more than 15 years old, or (b) promote best practice in boiler maintenance, use and replacement.
· For Ireland, Option (b) is currently preferred and it is planned to be in place by [1 January 2008].
Article 9: Inspection of AC systems
Mandatory inspection of air-conditioning (A/C) systems
· Regular inspection of A/C systems with an effective rated output >12kW (will almost exclusively be relevant to non-residential buildings), with accompanying advice on possible improvements or alternatives, will be mandatory.
· For Ireland, the necessary technical and administrative provisions, including training of required inspectors, must first be put in place to meet these requirements. It is planned that these will be in place by [1 January 2008].
Article 10: Independent experts
· For a successful initiation of this Directive, there will be a need for up to 2,000 independent assessors on the ground to deal with the demand. This is necessary to ensure that the closure of house sales will not be affected. The Draft Action Plan itself has recognised the requirement for this number of assessors. As of yet, the methodology for the training of these assessors has not been announced.
· SEI indicated that the accredited organisations can determine their own pre-qualifications criteria but SEI’s overall focus is to be inclusive and to recognise both academic and relevant industry experience. For example, it may be that those with recognised academic qualifications may need only do a shorter course whereas those with general industry backgrounds but fewer formal qualifications may need to take a longer course or a number of shorter courses. This will be clarified over the coming months.
· The present scheme Irish Home Energy Rating (IHER) is a scheme for assessing and rating the energy efficiency of domestic property. The rating is based on the total cost of energy used in the property and has been developed following many years of research into energy use in thousands of properties.
·The IHER Site Assessor training course can provide very similar training for those wishing to get an understanding of building energy ratings at this point in time. As IHER is derived from the UK NHER on which SAP and RDSAP is largely based, it is expected that 90-95% of the IHER course content will be consistent ultimately with DEAP.