NSAI has launched their technical guide on energy efficiency for home renovations. This standard is now a requirement when tendering for many state retrofit schemes, such as SEAI’s Better Energy Homes and local authority upgrades.
Download your free copy of SR.54 here
Many low energy retrofit measures used on Irish homes today are relatively new innovations and therefore a decision was made to develop this technical guide to ensure best practice is followed. The guide is the combined effort of NSAI, SEAI, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Chief Executive of NSAI, Maurice Buckley said he hopes S.R. 54 Code of Practice, will soon become the rule book or ‘bible’ for anyone involved in the retrofit renovation of homes.
“It’s difficult for any contractor to be an expert in all of the complex areas of retrofit renovations, as well as be able to recognize all the pitfalls. Developed with the Irish climate in mind, S.R. 54 Code of Practice acts as a checklist, providing technical best practice guidance on how each stage of the renovation should be completed, as well as highlighting potential obstacles to avoid,” said Mr. Buckley.
“For example, modern external insulation systems can save the homeowner thousands of euro in heating bills, as well as painting and decorating. The S.R.54 Code of Practice has detailed advice and considerations, with helpful diagrams to assist the contractor when carrying out such work,” he added.
Irish homeowners are starting to realise the huge savings that can be made by making their homes more energy efficient. According to the latest data from Revenue, since 2013, over €800 million worth of renovations and extensions have been carried out in over 35,000 homes in Ireland, under the Government’s Home Renovation Incentive Scheme. This work involved over 7,000 contractors.
Developed with the Irish climate in mind, S.R. 54 Code of Practice has particular regard to fabric and building service, the application of retrofit measures on a whole dwelling basis, general building science and the management of retrofit projects in respect of houses.
Architect Bill Scott specialises in design and construction for low energy. He is one of the first practitioners in the country to use this standard. He said S.R. 54 Code of Practice provides great assistance and is very easy to use.
“It’s essential all practitioners have a best practice technical guide to refer to, especially if engaged in an area of work that’s new or unfamiliar to them,” said Mr Scott, of Scott + MacNeill Architects.
“Relying on intuition is unacceptable when it comes to the serious task of renovating a person’s home. S.R. 54 Code of Practice is a very comprehensive document, with case study examples, illustrations and most importantly a checklist of solid facts as to what you should do and what to look out for,” he added.
NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is encouraging all designers and contractors involved in the renovation of houses to download a copy of S.R. 54 Code of Practice for free from NSAI.ie/SR54.
