HOUSING 23
An Airtight Case for Energy Efficiency: Signed, sealed and delivered with pro clima
By Niall Crosson, M.E.N.G. SC.B.TECH. MIEI, Technical Engineer
ACHIEVING AIRTIGHTNESS IS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN DEVELOPING HEALTHY, COMFORTABLE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTIONS. LIMITING AIR INFILTRATION TO MINIMAL LEVELS IS CENTRAL TO ACHIEVING A LOW ENERGY BUILDING, PARTICULARLY BUILDINGS AIMING TO ACHIEVE BEST PRACTICE IN RELATION TO THE CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES OR PASSIVHAUS DESIGN.
A
ir leakage is one of the most significant contributors to inefficiently heated buildings. Studies confirm that air leakage can account for up to half of all heat losses in modern buildings and reduce insulation performance by as much as 480%. Improvements in insulation standards means that air leakage also significantly increases the potential for condensation to occur within building elements, which may lead to insulation and structural degradation and mould growth, particularly in lightweight construction (i.e. timber or steel frame). Whereas ventilation is intended, air leakage or draughts are not.
The key is to “Build Tight and Ventilate Right”
One of the most cost effective means of reducing heating bills, increasing the energy efficiency in buildings and ensuring that the insulation can perform effectively is to use quality insulation while making sure the building envelope is as airtight as possible. In this way addressing air leakage can be pinpointed as one of the most effective and cheapest means of increasing the energy performance of our buildings. An insulation layer is only as effective as the level of airtightness achieved. If the insulation is continuously exposed to air movement, this will lead to a reduction in performance.
Airtightness and intelligent membranes Ecological Building Systems UK supply the multiple award winning pro clima Intelligent airtight system to the UK market. The pro clima Intelligent Airtight System features INTELLO PLUS, an Intelligent membrane which is airtight and vapour permeable or vapour tight depending on moisture levels within the construction.
Whereas a vapour barrier will always prevent vapour from drying out of constructions towards the inside, INTELLO PLUS allows water vapour to pass through when moisture levels are high within the
construction either due to seasonal change or unexpected moisture intrusion. When moisture levels are low within the building fabric, INTELLO PLUS resists the penetration of vapour into structural elements, preventing interstitial condensation. This prevents “sweating” occurring within the construction during summer months, something traditional vapour barriers cannot do.
In this way, INTELLO PLUS is characterised as Intelligent. INTELLO PLUS controls the moisture which may otherwise become trapped within structural elements, even after the building is sealed airtightly and complete.
The pro clima system focuses on the health of the homeowner and the building itself by endeavouring to significantly reduce the risks associated with mould growth and structural degradation due to interstitial condensation. The various advantages of the pro clima Intelligent airtight system, thus make it a solution that makes sound ecological and economic sense. The pro clima Intelligent airtight system provides a range of solutions for both block and timber frame construction including tapes, glues and service grommets.
Exterior
Powys County Council and The Welsh Assembly Government have embraced the
) , an amazing result well beyond PassivHaus & national standards. JPW have also recently achieved q50 of 0.25 m3
/(hr.m2 /(hr.m2 )
on a residential PassivHaus design and build project and has become the first certified PassivHaus in the UK.
Intello Plus Intelligent vapour check and tapes have been utilised by New World Timber Frame, based in Essex in prefabricated structures within two new build school projects in Wolverhampton, designed by Architype based in Hereford. The schools commissioned by Wolverhampton City Council are The Willows, whose main contractor is Mansell Construction and St Lukes, headed up by Thomas Vale Construction.
The pro clima Intelligent airtight and windtight system is readily available throughout the UK through Ecological Building Systems UK stockists.
Ecological Building Systems UK Ltd Click here to request literature
To make an enquiry - Go online:
www.enquire.to/spec Send a fax: 0870 458 6396 or post our: Free Reader Enquiry Card
concept of airtightness, using the pro clima system in their new non-domestic office build for the Dyfi Valley Pathfinder project in Machynlleth. Designed to PassivHaus & BREEAM standards by PassivHaus specialist's JPW Construction Ltd, the building has achieved a q50 test of 0.37 m3
Interior
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