Course Description:

Aim of Course:

To address practical issues related to assessing the thermal performance of dwellings and up rating thermal efficiency.

Who Course is for:

Homeowners and others interested in understanding how insulation works, the need for insulation and how to cost effectively upgrade their homes. No technical knowledge necessary.

Course Content:

Greenhouse gases and global warming implications. Peak oil concepts. Comparative costs and environmental effects of different energy forms. Kyoto Protocol. EU and Irish Legislation. The six degree argument. Necessity for alternative forms of energy.

Historical perspective and practical assessment of existing insulation levels. Insulation concepts including interstitial condensation, thermal bridging,  surface condensation and ventilation requirements.

Application of Parts D, F and L of the Building regulations. Product certification.  Floor, wall, and roof insulation concepts and practice. Drylining. Department of Environment  requirements.

Basic U value relevance, calculation and comparison.

Control measures for domestic hot water and space heating.

Passive solar gain and summer overheating problems. Combustibility aspects of insulation. Air tightness and thermal imaging concepts. Structural improvements, storm porches, and provision of shelter.

External insulation concepts, compliance and costs. Warm roof concepts for extensions and new build.

Available mechanisms to compare effectiveness of different forms and levels of different insulations.

Course Tutor:

Tom is a qualified Civil Engineer and runs a Civil and Structural engineering practice specialising in Civil and Structural. Previously he was employed by Homebond as Senior Housing Advisor with responsibility for the management of all Homebond projects and activities in Counties Galway and Mayo. Founder of Western Homebuilders Training Network: - a non profit body to facilitate innovative and best practice technical training at a local level for contractors in the West of Ireland.

Fee:  €130

Duration: One class per week, for 8 weeks from 7.00pm – 9.30pm

Location:  GMIT Dublin Road Campus

Lecturer:  Tom Crotty

Start date:  Tuesday 28th September 2010

For your convenience, a Postal Application can be downloaded

The running of courses is conditional on sufficient enrolments.