1978 Detached Dundrum

BER: D1 to A1

1978 Detached Dundrum

  • BER: D1 to A1

  • Total SEAI Grants Claimed: €27,700

  • Heat Pump Grant: €6,500

  • Heat Pump Bonus Grant: €2,000

  • Internal Wall Insulation Grant: €4,500

  • Project Management Grant: €2,000

  • Doors Grant: €1,600

  • Windows Grant: €4,000

  • Solar PV: €2,100

  • Attic Insulation (Rafter) Grant: €3,000

  • Central Heating System Grant: €2,000

Overview

Deep Retrofit

Larkrock recently completed a transformative One Stop Shop energy retrofit for a 1978-built property in Dundrum, Dublin. Originally rated BER D1, this home faced high energy demands. Through a comprehensive renovation, the property was upgraded to an A1 BER, resulting in substantial energy savings and reduced CO₂ emissions for the homeowner.
By enhancing the home’s insulation, upgrading the heating system, and incorporating renewable energy, this retrofit not only improved energy efficiency but also created a future-proofed home with a much more comfortable living environment.

Our One Stop Shop Retrofit Approach

Our team at Larkrock began the process with a full home energy assessment of the home, carefully planning each step of the renovation for the homeowner. Every aspect of the home, from insulation to heating, was optimized, with the added benefit of SEAI One Stop Shop grants to support the homeowner’s investment and keep costs to a minimum.

The Challenge:

Before the retrofit, the home faced several challenges our team are very familiar with finding in houses of this age:

  • Walls: 300mm cavity walls with a poor U-value of 1.10 W/m²K.

  • Windows: Old double-glazed windows with U-values between 3.10 and 4.80 W/m²K, causing significant heat loss and draughts which were very uncomfortable for the homeowner.

  • Ground Floor: High infiltration due to an unsealed suspended ground floor and a lack of draught-proofing.

  • Heating System: Outdated Firebird oil boiler (85.7% efficiency) and secondary solid fuel heater (30% efficiency).

  • Hot Water: Inefficient hot water system, leading to high storage and circuit losses (1,038 kWh/year).

These inefficiencies led to primary energy usage of 47,311 kWh/year, CO₂ emissions of 12,281 kg/year, and high space heating demands of 24,771 kWh/year.

Dundrum One Stop Shop
Kitchen Renovation Dublin

Post-Works Summary:

CO₂ Emissions were reduced by 99% from 12,281 kg/year to only 89 kg/year. This is clearly reflected in the annual primary energy consumption reduction from 47,311 kWh/year to a mere 694 kWh/year.

Key improvements included:

  • Walls: Retrofitted with 100mm internal insulation and external wall insulation, improving U-values to 0.18 W/m²K.

  • Roof: Insulated with 300mm materials, reducing U-values to 0.13 W/m²K.

  • Windows: Upgraded to triple-glazed units with U-values of 0.72–1.20 W/m²K.

  • Ground Floor: Insulated with 150mm materials, achieving a U-value of 0.18 W/m²K.

  • Solar Panels: Installed a 4.02 kWp system, generating 4,017 kWh/year, significantly offsetting energy consumption.

Net Energy-Positive Home:

The retrofit of this Sandyford Semi-D achieved remarkable results, transforming the property into a net energy-positive home:

  • BER improved from D1 to A1 – reflecting a highly efficient and future-proofed home.

  • Primary energy usage dropped by 98%, and CO₂ emissions were reduced by 99%, making the home almost carbon-neutral.

  • Significant insulation upgrades and new triple-glazed windows drastically reduced heat loss and improved comfort.

  • Installation of a high-efficiency heat pump and solar PV system reduced energy dependency and operating costs.

Living Room Renovation Dublin

The Outcome

This project showcases the power of a comprehensive retrofit, combining advanced insulation, renewable energy, and efficient heating systems to achieve a sustainable and comfortable living environment.

The project featured the following unique characteristics:

  • Proper insulation and systems installation.

  • Structural steel installation for open-plan kitchen.

  • Conversion of the top floor into habitable rooms (family office, work office, play space).

  • Solar panels, modern windows, and high-end finishes added.

A Sustainable Future with Larkrock

This retrofit in Dundrum showcases the remarkable impact of modern energy upgrades in achieving efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. By properly combining insulation, high-performance windows, renewable energy solutions, and efficient heating systems, this home is now a cozy home to enjoy for years into the future.

If you’re thinking about making similar upgrades to your home, we’d be happy to discuss the options and SEAI One Stop Shop grants available to you. Whether you’re looking for guidance or ready to take the next step, feel free to reach out to us for more information or arrange a showroom visit.

Larkrock – Retrofitting homes for a sustainable future.

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