ENHANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN IRISH HOMES:
THE ROLE OF AIRTIGHTNESS AND VAPOUR CONTROL

Ireland’s homes account for a significant portion of the country’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a quarter of overall energy use and 10% of total emissions . With half of Ireland’s dwellings built before 1990 and only 38% achieving a Building Energy Rating of B3 or above in 2021 , there is an urgent need to improve the energy efficiency of the country’s building stock as part of the government’s Climate Action Plan.

The push for energy-efficient homes has led to a focus on improving airtightness in buildings. It is crucial as it reduces air leakage, minimising energy loss from heating and cooling systems. However, this must be balanced with proper vapour control and ventilation to prevent issues like dampness, condensation, mould and poor indoor air quality, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

The European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets the standard for energy performance in new and renovated buildings. The latest revision, known as the EPBD Recast, emphasises improving the building envelope to meet ambitious energy efficiency targets. This has intensified the demand for products that deliver superior airtightness and effective vapour control, driving innovation within the construction industry.
For instance, MEDITE SMARTPLY has brought to the market SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, the world’s only certified airtight Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Used as structural inner sheathing in timber frame wall and ceiling assemblies, this product offers superior airtightness with integrated vapour control, making it an ideal choice for low-energy buildings. Designed for use on the warm side of the insulation in timber frame construction systems, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is easy to cut and fix, reducing the installation time while also simplifying the process by eliminating the need for separate membranes. Airtightness is engineered into the OSB panel substrate, whilst SMARTPLY’s in-house speciality surfacing technology provides an integrated vapour barrier with consistently high vapour resistance over the entire surface. Manufactured from FSC-certified timber with no added formaldehyde, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT aligns with the growing demand for sustainable building materials.

As Ireland works towards its climate action goals, improving energy efficiency through enhanced airtightness and vapour control is essential. Embracing innovative solutions like SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT will help ensure that buildings are not only energy-efficient but also healthy, sustainable, and durable.

By David Murray, Head of Technical Affairs & Ireland Sales, MEDITE SMARTPLY

Find out more about SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT here: https://mdfosb.com/en/smartply/products/smartply-airtight.

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE