Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)

As with the UK, Ireland(ROI) have been working towards ensuring all new buildings are Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) by 31st December 2020, along with requirements to improve existing buildings to comply with ‘Articles 7 and 9 of the EU’s 2010 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Recast)’.

NZEB came into effect in Ireland on 1st November 2019 and any projects with planning approval after this date must comply with the new regulations. If planning approval was approved prior to 1st November 2019, substantial works (eg. up to wall plate level) have to be completed by 31st October 2020.

New Build Domestic

NZEB requirements should be evaluated during the design of a new build dwelling alongside the production of ‘working drawings’, to ensure the correct insulation, heating and ventilation requirements are meet in accordance with Technical Guidance documents (TGDs) ‘Part F’ & ‘Part L’.  As your BER assessor, 360 Energy will carry out a Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) to demonstrate compliance with TGD Part L while advising on the most cost effect route to compliance taking into account site orientation and landscape, along with your personal preferences in terms of renewable technologies.

Domestic Extensions and Renovations

Within the new regulations there is now a new requirement for “Major Renovations” to meet a “cost optimal” energy performance standard (in ROI this is a minimum BER of B2) insofar as this is “technically, functionally and economically feasible”.

A ‘Major Renovation’ means the renovation of the existing dwelling where more than 25% of the existing thermal elements undergo renovation. The thermal envelope refers to the entire surface area of a building through which it can lose heat to the external environment or the ground, such as the walls, windows, floors and roof.

If your project falls within the major renovation definition, the entire dwelling must either:

  • Achieve a B2 Building Energy Rating
  • Implement a package of pre-defined energy performance improvements set out in TGD Part L’s Table 7.

New Build Commercial

As with domestic schemes, commercial new building must comply with NZEB regulations. As your BER assessor, 360 Energy will carry out a Non Domestic Energy Assessment Procedure (NEAP) to demonstrate compliance with TGD Part L. 360 Energy use IES-VE software to show compliance with TGD Part L over the traditional iSBEM software as we have found iSBEM v5.5.h. is flagging overheating issues with proposed designs. IES-VE is allows for a TM-52 report (link to TM52 within 360 website) to show carried out to show compliance through a natural ventilation strategy eliminating the cost of expensive air conditioning which would also increase carbon emissions making it harder to show compliance with TGD Part L.

If you have any Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) requirements for new build domestic dwellings, domestic extensions or renovations, or new build commercial building, contact us for quotation.