News Articles:
In My Humble Opinion - 19/05/2009 It sometimes seems a bit rich to bang on about low-energy buildings and greenhouse gas emissions when most of us drive to work in noisy, dirty, fossil-fuel-guzzling cars. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 08/05/2009 “Building teams must work together to ensure sustainability, says study commissioned by the Specialist Engineering Alliance and found building projects need an integrated project team to “design-in” sustainable solutions and “design-out” waste. | |
Letter to the Editor - 28/04/2009 A report by the Specialist Engineering Alliance finds that “Building teams must work together to ensure sustainability, | |
In My Humble Opinion - 25/03/2009 One of the saddest consequences of recession is the sudden abandonment of so many noble good intentions. Last month, the pursuit of sustainable construction methods suffered a setback when it emerged that Government funding under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was being cut off | |
In My Humble Opinion - 23/02/2009 Spring must be the consultation season. On my desk are no fewer than four bulging files, each one containing a Government proposal for improving energy efficiency and each currently out for consultation. | |
International Isover contest wins unprecedented support - 18/02/2009 This year’s international competition, sponsored by Saint-Gobain Isover, for students of architecture and engineering to design a building along passive house lines, attracted unprecedented interest when it was officially launched in the UK this month. | |
Isover system wins a third Robust Detail - 04/02/2009 An acoustic system that is currently capable of providing housebuilders with up to three credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes while significantly reducing their build costs has gained a third Robust Detail for Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover insulation to wrap up Ecobuild - 02/02/2009 Newly available solutions from the UK’s leading insulation innovator Isover will feature on Saint-Gobain’s début stand (2365) at the world’s biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment, Ecobuild (March 3-5, Earls Court). | |
In My Humble Opinion - 20/01/2009 The political tension between Russia and neighbouring Ukraine might seem to have little impact upon the average UK householder. But when Russia turned off gas supplies into Ukraine during January’s cold snap, it wasn’t just the Ukrainians who felt the chill. | |
Isover launches CPD on sustainable compliance - 09/01/2009 Guidance on how glass mineral wool insulation contributes to Passive House design and can help to deliver up to 30 credits in the Code for Sustainable Homes is now available in a RIBA-approved CPD from Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 18/12/2008 Which of the following is the odd one out? Aviation fuel duty, Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), Community Energy Savings Target (CEST) and the auction of Carbon Emissions Permits under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? | |
Isover opens international competition - 17/12/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover is inviting submissions for its 2009 international architectural student competition which has prize money totalling €6,500 at stake. | |
Isover opens regional distribution centre - 11/12/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover has opened a regional distribution centre to further improve its service to customers. | |
Insulating against Passive House apathy - 09/12/2008 Players in the UK construction industry are becoming more familiar with European Passive House philosophy although they still require guidance about what it means and what their options are, in a plethora of sustainable, ecological and energy efficient solutions, to turn the concept into reality. | |
What's in store in 2009? - 28/11/2008 The construction industry in general may be continuing to downturn but the Government is sticking with its aim to have at least an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from existing housing stock by 2050. Such a focus on insulation is unprecedented and it is obvious builders stand to realise huge business benefits in 2009. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 21/11/2008 The close of 2008 saw the publication of two very important documents, the significance of which so far seems to have passed most people by, but both could have a huge and unprecedented impact on house owners and the housing stock over the coming years. | |
Isover data shows Passive House refurbishment can save 95% - 21/11/2008 Refurbishing buildings to Passive House standards can improve their energy performance by up to 95%, according to the UK’s insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover insulation helps breathe new life into university - 20/11/2008 Glass mineral wool insulation from Saint-Gobain Isover has helped the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture realise a studio building that “seriously addresses sustainability in its construction | |
Isover launches ductwork CPD - 12/11/2008 Advice on how to protect ventilation ductwork against fire risk and specifying for the latest regulations is given in a new CPD from the technical division of UK insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover | |
Isover’s new three-credit Robust Detail saves housebuilders money 27/10/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover has gained a second Robust Detail for an acoustic system that is now capable of providing housebuilders with three credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes and at the same time significantly reducing their build costs. | |
Isover’s lightweight ducting makes its UK debut 20/10/2008 Climaver Plus R, a pre-insulated lightweight ducting system from Saint-Gobain Isover, has delivered significant cost savings on its first UK application - the installation of a new heating and ventilating system as part of a health centre refurbishment | |
Isover launches national network of HVAC Installers 09/10/2008 The first members of a national network of installers of a revolutionary ductwork system that replaces the traditional sheet metal and insulation approach with rigid insulation boards have been inducted by Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover goes green in Wales 09/10/2008 Insulation from Saint-Gobain Isover was specified for its green credentials for the first timber frame school to be built for Powys County Council. | |
Building Products' Roundtable - 29/09/2008 Interview with Gerry Mitchell, Head of Innovation at Saint-Gobain Isover UK | |
Isover celebrates a 99% record - 26/09/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover is celebrating a 99% customer service record set over two months running by its haulier TM Logistics. | |
Brian Dolan, MD of Saint-Gobain Isover UK - A Personal Profile - 09/05/2008 Brian answers searching questions on his likes, dislikes and ambitions in an interview for Constructor Magazine |
Isover data shows Passive House refurbishment can save 95%
Refurbishing buildings to Passive House standards can improve their energy performance by up to 95%, according to the UK’s insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover.
Data in an Isover guide to planning and realising the Multi-Comfort building of the future shows that upgrading insulation and alleviating thermal breaks in a private home and an apartment block brought similar, outstanding results.
The private home was a standard 1960s bungalow in Pettenbach, Upper Austria, which was given an architectural facelift and transformed into a two-storey contemporary home complete with larchwood and metal facade and a profusion of full-height windows.
Austria’s first refurbishment to Passive House criteria, it resulted in a 95% reduction in heating levels, from 230W/m² to 12.1 and a 90% reduction in air leakage from 5.10n50 to 0.50. The house cost 90% less to heat, dropping from 2,700 Euros to 200 Euros per year.
The apartment block was a five-storey 1950s building in Linz, Austria, that was refurbished over six months to achieve Passive House standards for the first to fourth storeys. Work included insulating the cellar and attic, installing triple-glazed windows with integrated sun protection and closing in balconies. The ground floor complies with low-energy standards since cellar-facing insulation was only feasible to a limited extent.
Refurbishment resulted in a reduction of almost 90% in total heating energy demand, from 500,000kWh/a to 45,000. This saving of 455,000 kWh could save more than 27,000 Euros a year based on an estimated energy price of 0.06 Euros per kWh.
It also resulted in a 90% reduction in the monthly heating costs for a 59m² flat, from 40 Euros to 4, and a 89% reduction in CO2 emissions for the whole building, from 160 tonnes per year to 18, as well as the Austrian State Award for Architecture and Sustainability.
“Built for the future – The Isover Multi-Comfort House” discusses the concept, advises on how to design and plan to it, and shows case studies of new-build and refurbished houses, apartments, offices and schools. It also details the sustainability of mineral glass wool insulation and is available from Isoverpr@saint-gobain.com.