News & Products
Aircrete Walls as a Cost-Effective, Sustainable Solution to Energy Efficient Building The drive to create more energy efficient buildings with lower carbon emissions is gaining momentum as architects, builders, contractors, developers, and selfbuilders all seek the simplest and most cost-effective way to achieve this goal. A fabric first approach, insulating floors, walls and roofs to a very high standard, is seen by most as key. This however can exaggerate heat loss through thermal bridging at the thermally weak junctions between these elements, which may account for up to 35% of total heat loss in some cases. Mannok Aircrete blocks (formerly Quinn Lite blocks) are widely regarded as one of the best solutions to tackle heat loss through thermal bridging as they can reduce heat loss by up to 80% compared to dense concrete blocks. Aircrete blocks are commonplace on building sites across the country, most often used in the floor to wall junction to ensure continuity of insulation at this location. This addresses one junction, but it is necessary to apply the same solution to all junctions to effectively combat thermal bridging. The much more straightforward solution is to simply build the entire inner leaf of the cavity wall with Aircrete blocks. This simple switch addresses thermal bridges at all junctions by default, almost eliminating heat loss through these junctions. The thermally efficient inner leaf will also reduce heat loss through the wall itself, which can account for up to 35% of the elemental heat loss from the building. In addition, it makes life much easier for the builder, there’s no mixing different types of blocks, no switching from one to another at different locations,
which will reduce the risk of errors or omissions. In addition to a more comfortable, energy efficient home with reduced heating bills, the homeowner can look forward to a faster heating response which suits modern day living. Thanks to their insulating properties, Aircrete blocks absorb heat from the room at a slower rate than denser materials. This means that when the heating is switched on, the home will reach the desired temperature quicker than if the walls were built with heavier concrete blocks. The cost difference of upgrading to Aircrete cavity walls will vary by property but is generally a very small percentage of the overall build. This is then offset quickly by the resulting energy savings and added performance benefits. In many cases the net result can be cost neutral. The support of the Mannok Technical team advising on specification and providing relevant calculations, will make it an appealing option for self-builders and developers alike. Self-builders can also avail of product bundles and discounts thanks to the new Self Build with Mannok packages when using Aircrete blocks in wall construction. The new packages offering is being rolled out across Ireland and Northern Ireland and Mannok are keen to work together with Merchants to promote the benefits of Aircrete as a more sustainable building solution for the self-build market. For further details, Merchants can speak directly to their local Mannok Sales Manager or contact selfbuild@mannokbuild.com
Working Locally to promote Home Improvements Are you as a Builders Merchant or Hardware Store working with your local Credit Union to promote local Home Improvements? If not, why not? As a local business supplying expertise, information and the ideal products for Home Improvement, Hardware Association Ireland strongly encourages you to engage today with your Local Credit Union to see how you can assist them in their promotion. Credit Unions are asking their customers, “Are you dreaming of making your nest bigger, brighter or warmer? Well, the answer might be just around the corner! Talk to your local credit union today about our range of home improvement loans. Because for all of your dreams that are big, small, or strange, we’ve got you covered with our monster loan range”.
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Credit Unions make commercial decisions locally so make an appointment today with your local office and offer your services to complement those offered by your local Credit Union. Your local Credit Union is promoting and offering their customers and yours Home Improvement Loans. www. creditunion.ie/what-we-offer/loans/home-improvement/ They are also offering home improvement loans for those specifically making improvements to increase the energy efficiency of their home with their Green Home improvement loans. www.creditunion.ie/what-we-offer/loans/homeimprovement-green/ March/April 2021
