George’s Place social housing
George's Place social housing
George's Place, a social housing development in Dún Laoghaire, managed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, represents an impressive achievement in the construction of affordable and energy-efficient housing. This project, completed in 2018, comprises twelve 85 sqm social houses, located just around the corner from the waterfront in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin. It is notable for achieving a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A1, signifying high energy efficiency.
Key details of the George's Place social housing project:
Energy efficiency: The development adheres to nearly zero energy building (NZEB) standards, which means it meets rigorous energy efficiency criteria. Each house is designed to maintain an A1 BER, demonstrating the commitment to high energy performance and low energy consumption.
Rapid build and affordable: Despite being rapid build houses, they are constructed with sufficient quality and energy efficiency to achieve an A1 BER. The fact that these houses were built for €249,000 (including VAT) each highlights that a fabric-first, low-energy building approach can be cost-effective.
Low heating costs: The estimated annual heating costs for space and water heating are exceptionally low, up to €155 per year. This affordability benefits the tenants, making the housing cost-effective and energy-efficient.
Tenant comfort: The indoor air temperature in these houses has remained steady, warm, and comfortable over the last eight months. The residents appreciate the constant hot water supply and the ease of using the Nilan Compact P combined heat pump and ventilation system, which contributes to their comfort.
Maintenance and user-friendly controls: The maintenance of the heating and ventilation system is built into the rent, ensuring that the system continues to operate efficiently. Additionally, the controls for the Nilan Compact P unit are designed to be user-friendly, with a simple touch screen interface.
Product installed:
Nilan Compact P Unit: The heating and ventilation system used in these social housing units is the Nilan Compact P unit, which includes an exhaust air heat pump combined with passive heat recovery ventilation. This system is crucial in maintaining indoor air quality and temperature while recovering heat from the extracted air, contributing to the project's exceptional energy efficiency and tenant comfort.
The George's Place social housing project in Dún Laoghaire showcases the successful integration of energy-efficient construction techniques and affordable housing solutions. By achieving an A1 BER rating and providing low heating costs, this development serves as a model for addressing the housing crisis while prioritizing energy efficiency and tenant comfort. The use of the Nilan Compact P unit adds to the overall sustainability and efficiency of the housing units.
