This post-primary school went from a C3 to a B2 Building Energy Rating (BER). To achieve this, extensive fabric upgrades were carried out through the 2020 Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder programme.

Energy upgrades involved in this retrofit

MeasurePre Works StatusPost Works Status
Energy Consumption 197 kWh/m2 106 kWh/m2
Building Energy Rating C3 B2
Lighting Upgrade T8s LED with occupancy and daylight controls
Walls U Value 2.2 W/m2k 0.3 W/m2k
Windows U Value 2.0 W/m2k 1.4 W/m2k (partial upgrade)
Flat Roof 1 U Value 1.2 W/m2k TBC 0.12 W/m2k
Flat Roof 2 U Value 2.3 W/m2k 0.12 W/m2k
Heating System Type Oil fired boiler High efficiency LPG condensing boiler including radiators pipework and controls
Heating System Efficiency Unknown 94%
Solar PV 0kWp 11kWp
EV Charging None Installed

Results

  • Estimated to deliver 48% energy savings
  • Designed to achieve 52% reduction in CO2 emissions
  • Positive feedback from teachers and students of improved comfort in teaching and learning environment

Background

Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin was selected through the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme. The school was comprehensively assessed to identify suitable upgrade measures. These needed to deliver value to both the school and the programme learnings.

Upgrades

Fabric upgrades included:

  • Applying external wall insulation to fair-faced concrete uninsulated walls
  • Applying additional insulation to the spandrel panels of the curtain walling system
  • Upgrades of roof insulation and roof lights
  • New windows
  • Air tightness improvements

Mechanical and electrical upgrades included the installation of the following:

  • LED lighting system with occupancy and daylight control
  • 11 kWp Solar PV system
  • New high-efficiency LPG condensing boiler system to replace inefficient oil-fired boiler
  • New radiators, pipework, and control systems
  • EV charging

Estimated savings

These are the estimated annual energy and emissions savings achieved by this project. The figures will be confirmed following a full year of occupancy.

 

  • 294,000 kWh

    Energy savings estimated per annum

  • 70 tCO2

    Emission savings estimated per annum

About the programme

This energy upgrade was delivered through the Pathfinder programme in collaboration with the Department of Education. This programme is paving the way for a national programme for the energy retrofit of schools built before 2008.

The Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder programme is funded by the Department of Education and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The programme is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in the Department of Education with their delivery partner Limerick Clare ETB. and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

Learn about the Pathfinder programme