The winners of the Passive House Component Award 2016, which focuses on ventilation solutions in the retrofit of residential buildings, have been announced.

Leading solar PV brand Autarco has announced its entry to the Irish market. Autarco told Passive House Plus that it is the world’s first company to provide complete single brand solar PV systems with an industry unique energy generation guarantee, expressed in kWh.

Cork-based passive house window supplier Amberline Ireland has emphasised the importance of quality workmanship in the installation of low energy and passive house windows. The company was borne out of a firm that previously specialised in low energy building, giving it ample practical experience on site.

 With Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown making passive house or equivalent energy efficiency standards mandatory for all new builds in a historic vote, the German-Irish Chamber of Industry & Commerce’s Passive House and Energy Efficiency Conference and trade mission is expected to be more relevant than ever.

This annual two-day business event, which last year saw up to 200 companies exhibit their energy saving products and services, is the premier business energy exhibition in Ireland, and a must for those interested in energy management and innovations in sustainable energy solutions.

The long-held claim that customer demand for purchasing sustainable homes is limited has been challenged in new research by UK housebuilder Redrow.

A new low energy and airtight extension is currently on site at the TLC Nursing Home in Maynooth, Co Kildare.

Solar Electric Ireland has just completed the largest solar PV installation in a single location in the Republic of Ireland.

Heat pumps from leading manufacturer Daikin have recently been installed in social housing retrofit projects across the country, helping to cut bills and improve comfort for occupants.

Traditional screeds require significant drying before the final floor covering can be installed, however, if this is not well planned for, it may well delay the completion of the entire project.

All new buildings in south-east Dublin must be built to the passive house standard or demonstrably equivalent levels, in a move that may lead to the construction of upwards of 20,000 passive houses by 2022.

Leading airtightness and vapour control product manufacturer Ampack’s BBA certification now includes the company’s external systems — Ampatop Protecta, Ampatop Protecta plus, Ampatop Aero and Ampatop Aero plus.

Kingspan Insulation UK has published its latest Sustainability & Responsibility Report, highlighting a year of continued growth and sustainable development.

Bristol City Council have appointed Gale & Snowden Architects as lead consultants on a scheme of 23 dwellings aiming for passive house plus certification.

Leading Irish low energy window supplier Ultimate Windows & Doors has introduced the Polish-manufactured Eko Okna low energy windows and door range, including airtight, thermally broken lift and slide doors.

Leading Irish heating supplier Origen Energy has launched the Genvex Combi 185 combined heat recovery ventilation and domestic hot water heat pump to the Irish market.

Double winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, Ancon Building Products continues to expand its range of high integrity structural fixings and will exhibit a number of new products at Ecobuild 2016 taking place at ExCeL, London from 8 to 10 March 2016.

Penny Randell has been appointed as a director of Ecological Building Systems UK Ltd.

The UK Green Building Council has come together with Green Building Councils from around the world to publish a series of commitments from the private sector that would result in massive carbon savings from buildings and construction.

Ecological Building Systems is pleased to announce that its Diasen Diathonite Evolution lime cork thermal insulating render system won in the ’best interior design’ category at the RIAI Architecture Expo.