Case Study

gasnetworks.ie

‘A’ Rated homes with natural gas – a winning formula for Chelmsford Manor in Celbridge

With over 30 years in the business, Montane Developments have a reputation to keep – many purchasers of one of our starter homes will refer or follow us to another development, simply for the quality of our build.

Almost before breaking ground, we called in an energy consultant who worked with us to ensure the ‘A’ rating. We researched, costed, worked and reworked the variables available to achieve our A3 rating, like using natural gas, improving insulation, the glass we use, solar panels, inclusion of a wood burning stove etc. All of this ensured we were part L compliant.

For us, when it came to the heating system – to ensure reduced costs of heating the homes, and increased energy efficiency –

the only real option was to combine Natural Gas with a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit.

The addition of the MVHR unit means the heat created is recovered and reused. This means maximum cost efficiencies in our homes.

Gas Networks Ireland have been working closely with architects, developers and energy consultants in order to meet the criteria set out by part L to achieve an ‘A’ rating. We recently completed an installation for Montane Developments in their Celbridge development, Chelmsford Manor. We spoke with Vincent to get his first-hand experience of what goes into achieving this ‘A’ rating.

Vincent Carty, Montane Developments, outlines his experience developing Chelmsford Manor.

Air Tight, Fresh Air, Energy Savings With a MVHR unit, there are real energy savings. In most Irish homes, we like to open windows for instant ventilation. This of course means the heat (and our money) is literally flying out the window. With the MVHR unit, there is no need to open windows or doors for fresh air. The air in the home is constantly fresh, has reduced allergens (like pollen) dust mites and odours and reduced humidity. Mildew or mould build up is also a thing of the past.

Instant and ControllableMontane Developments want the owners of these homes to be able to come in, switch the heating on and have instantly hot to the touch radiators. No waiting for a few hours for the system to come up to temperature with radiators that are never hot to the touch. Let’s face it, we all love radiators that are leaping off the walls… it’s in our psyche. We used high levels of insulation in floors, walls and ceilings together with high performance windows and doors. With this high grade insulation, when combined with Natural Gas and the MVHR unit, owners of Chelmsford Manor homes will have a combination of air tight, fresh air filled homes, with instant and controllable heat. This level of instant control allows the homeowner react to any unexpected cold snap.

Natural Gas – An Easy Sell to Viewers of Our Homes For us, natural gas is an easy sell. Had we gone with an alternative, we would have to spend a lot of time explaining how such a system works, how to run it efficiently, running costs etc. Our home owners are guaranteed a fully proven, ‘A’ rated solution. They get constantly clean air and heat at the flick of a switch using the cleanest and most cost competitive source of fossil fuel available. Not only do we live up to our reputation for building well designed, well finished and well built homes – but it also makes the sale so much easier for us.

In Ireland, we generally like to set our heating for an hour or so in the morning and a few hours in the evening. A lot of alternative systems on the market would need two or three hours before they come up to temperature

Benefits‘A’ rated, energy efficient homes

Significant reduction in energy costs

Instant and controllable heat

Constant clean fresh air

Reduced allergens and odours

No mould or mildew build up

Case Study

Once I tell viewers that the house has Natural Gas, there are rarely further questions regarding the heating system . . . it sells itself

Natural Gas and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery Units in New Builds

The Chelmsford Manor, A3 Rated, Energy Efficient Winning Formula To achieve an A rating and meet Part L of the building regulations Montane Developments used a combination of . . .

+

=

+Gas Boiler Our chosen boiler – up to 92.2% efficient, 5 year warrantee, built in 7 day digital clock

Small dimensions/lightweight

Heat input (kW) 25

Maximum heat output (kW) 60/80°C 24.45

Maximum heat output (kW) 30/50°C 26.23

Efficiency(3) (%) 90.2

NOx Class 5

NOx emission mg/kWhr 25

MVHR UnitThe MVHR system is Irish designed and is manufactured by a global ventilation market leader

The unit works by removing stale, humid air from the wet rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms and dumping it to outside. Before it’s expelled, the heat is extracted from the air and added to a separate stream of incoming fresh outdoor air. This fresh air is then pre heated (at no extra cost) and it is supplied to living rooms and bedrooms. The system works on many different levels as it removes smells, humidity and moisture from the building, while supplying fresh filtered warm air. All this for €50/year running costs to the Chelmford Manor home owner. The unit automatically boosts the airflow when humidity levels are high, such as when people are showering or cooking.

Solar System An on-roof solar system, designed and manufactured in Dublin, to work in Northern European climates.

The solar collectors we used have been tested to double and sometimes four times the requirements of EN12975:1-2 and they are solar key marked

With a 25 year warranty, the collectors work with a Twin Coil efficient solar supported indirectly heated hot water cylinder.

The cylinder is designed to be heated indirectly using a gas boiler. It comes complete with one electric element to intermittently support the water heating system.

A3 Rated, Energy Efficient Homes

36324/03/2015

Architect: DDA Architects Ltd

Lisa Queen

62 Brighton Square Rathgar, Dublin 6

01 490 0499

Info@ddaarch.ie

Energy Consultant: 2eva.ie

Carlow Gateway Business Centre Athy Road, Carlow

(059) 916 9121 (087) 987 1979

info@2eva.ie

www.2eva.ie

Builder: Montane Developments

Block F4, Maynooth Business Campus Maynooth, Co. Kildare

01 526 7768

www.montanedevelopments.com

The contact details for Gas Networks Ireland are:

Networks Services Centre, St. Margaret’s Road, Finglas, Dublin 9.

Businesslink: 1850 411 511Site Drawings: plans@bge.ienetworksinfo@gasnetworks.ie @GasNetIRLgasnetworks.ie

This information is only a guideline to the different products available for use with natural gas in new development construction. Users should ensure that products are suitable for the specific circumstances in which they seek to apply them. Contact the supplier or manufacturer directly for specific information on building requirements and materials needed for installation. Professional advice specific to the project should always be sought. The current Irish Gas Standards and Technical Guidance Documents (Building Regulations) override all contents. Users should ensure they always have the most up to date information.

Anyone who is into cooking demands a gas hob and with Natural Gas we can give them what they want

Vincent Carty, Montane Developments