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Construct Ireland Interview with Interhabs

What convinced Property Partners Long to get involved with a system like this that was new to the Irish market?

RL: Homeowners are much more discerning now than they were in the past, because property is seen as the best type of investment. More and more people are looking for guarantees from estate agents that their investments will appreciate over time. Interhabs homes have been the subject of research, design and build for the last 30 years. The experience of building timber frame homes that are durable, and low maintenance will ensure that an Interhabs Super E home in Ireland will perform well and appreciate in value over a period of time.

What has been the market response so far?

RL: The market response, particularly to the energy labelling of houses, has aroused particular interest, in that labelling will be shown to add value to energy efficient homes. That is the one aspect of energy labelling which is so significant. Do you think rising fuel costs are becoming more of a factor? RL: Very much so, with regard to the way the cost of fossil fuels have increased over the last two years with global events, and also the impact fossil fuel burning has on the environment is still a critical factor going forward.

What range of projects have Interhabs got on the cards?

RL: We have a lakeshore project in Galway, involving 24 high quality factory engineered homes. The planning conditions in terms of environmental impact assessment require that the units be prefabricated. The site isn't suitable for wet building methods, due to potential water contamination. The product requirement is aligned with what Interhabs can provide.

What does a house have to comply with to be awarded a SUPER E certificate?

RL: In order to achieve certification, the air must be proven to be clean, and the number of air changes is measured. The high-performance windows, airtightness specification, the whole house's insulation and the heat recovery ventilation system are tested. Super E involves thinking about the energy performance of the whole building whilst also ensuring air quality is maintained.

What guarantees do buyers get that the buildings will attain the performance that Interhabs claim they will achieve?

RL: We offer builders a design summary and building testimonial to guarantee that the house has been built in accordance with the Super E programme. Builders who go with our programme will be awarded that certificate. A copy of the design summary and the building testimonial is submitted to Natural Resources Canada and on the issuing of a notice of recognition from them the house is then designated as a Super E home.

Do you think the values of these houses will be affected by changes in the market, such as the introduction of energy labels?

RL: They will be affected significantly, because buildings that are shown not to be conforming will need to be remedied. The resale value of other houses will be affected considerably and they will not be able to be sold at full market value. Jack Murray of Woodberry Developments Ltd is a builder who has recently converted to Super E and the Interhabs system. With 20 years of experience, the bulk of which was spent in England in a combination of private housing and civil work, Murray came home in 2000 looking to build homes that he could be proud of.

How easy did you find it to make the switch?

JM: I found it very easy, because it's a better system, which achieves considerably warmer, more cost effective, energy efficient houses. Also from a visual aspect both internally and externally you can have exposed beams and rafters which a lot of people prefer to plasterboard ceilings. You can achieve that without incurring a massive extra cost, and can have the house you really want.

Why is the blower door test so important?

JM: It reveals if you have problems in your house. So if I make a mistake and I don't seal the house, the blower door test is going to tell me that I haven't done it properly because I will fail the test. It's like the NCT test on your car. Throughout the construction process you are kept alert, and you have got to achieve these levels. With current build people aren't going to know if there's a problem. With an Interhabs house you know that effectively it does what it says on the tin.

So your clients know what they're getting for their money?

JM: I have laid the cards on the table for every client so far. What you see is what you get. I will answer all of their queries so that they are going away saying "I want to have this because it does x, y and z" as opposed to just trying to flog something to people. I take it very personally when you are building a house for a person. That's where they are going to be spending the rest of their life, and it needs to be