A1 Passive House, Cork

The A1 Passive House in Cork City is a remarkable example of a certified Passive House located in Cork, Ireland. This project was completed in September 2016 and features a 323 sqm detached blockwork house with concrete block construction and external insulation, resulting in a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A1. The architects responsible for this project are John Morehead and Jennifer Kenefick.

Full project details of this house as featured in Passive House Plus Magazine

The client says: “The biggest change for us is that there has been very little forced heat or cooling input. It wasn’t unexpected, but the uniformity of temperature throughout the house is a pleasant surprise, and the fact that we don’t constantly have to turn boilers on or off or adjust thermostats is great.”

Key details of the A1 Passive House in Cork:

Energy Efficiency: This house is certified as a Passive House, which means it meets extremely high energy efficiency and sustainability standards. Passive Houses are known for their minimal energy consumption and exceptional indoor comfort.

Low Heating Costs: The annual estimated heating costs for this Passive House are impressively low, at just €224 per year. This is a testament to its energy-efficient design and construction.

Indoor Comfort: The occupants of the house have experienced a uniform temperature throughout the building with very little need for forced heating or cooling. This high level of indoor comfort is a significant benefit of Passive House design.

Sustainability Awards: The A1 Passive House has been recognized for its sustainability features and was commended at the 2017 RIAI Architecture Awards in the sustainability category. This recognition highlights the commitment to sustainable building practices in this project.

Products installed:
Nilan Compact P Unit: This unit is equipped with an exhaust air heat pump combined with passive heat recovery ventilation. It plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and temperature while recovering heat from the extracted air.

Nilan Air 9 Air-to-Water heat pump: This system serves as a backup for heating and distributes heat through underfloor heating, especially during the coldest winter periods. It is an energy-efficient solution for maintaining indoor comfort.