Building for the Future

In Dublin, many houses are more than 100 years old and are still inhabited. In our fast-paced times, we have the responsibility to think about how a house we build today will function in the year 2121. Two things we are convinced of: It should consume only a minimum of energy and must provide a healthy and comfortable living environment.

These were the key ideas for the construction of a new single-family house in Dublin. The total living area is 420 m² and is spread over several floors. The living spaces are located on the ground floor and the first floor. On the second floor, there is also a suite and a fitness room. The utility and storage room can be found in the basement. 

Building Services Concept with Vision

A single system was installed for heating and cooling – both in summer and winter, the rooms are tempered via the floor, wall, and ceiling. The surface heating and cooling systems are operated with the lowest possible flow temperatures. This allows the heat pump to be used efficiently.

The Variotherm systems were installed on the floor, wall, and ceiling, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate. The large activated surfaces also reduce ongoing heating costs in winter due to the low flow temperatures (between 25 and 30 °C).

Those who cool via the ceiling or wall feel comfortable in the room at around 26 °C due to the radiation exchange. In comparison: if you cool with an air conditioner, the room temperature must be lowered to about 23 °C to achieve the same comfort. This way, you can save up to 30% in energy costs with water-based surface cooling.

Conclusion: With energy-saving and comfortable surface heating and cooling, we can withstand the test of time. 

Project board:

Variotherm Systems: 
56 m² Ceiling Cooling and Heating in Drywall Construction 
46 m² Wall Heating and Cooling in Drywall Construction 
105 m² EasyFlex Wall Heating and Cooling in Plastered Construction 
11 m² Underfloor Heating in Drywall Construction 
76 m² VarioRast Underfloor Heating in Screed – 100 mm Pipe Spacing 
67 m² VarioRast Underfloor Heating in Screed – 200 mm Pipe Spacing

Variotherm Partner: HWI Sustainable Buildings Ltd, Peter Sullivan

Architect: Peter Rafter, Dublin

Contractor: Kilwater Construction, Stephen O’Reilly

Installer: Heat Doc Ltd, Damien Mullins

Heat Generation: Heliotherm BC Modulating Geothermal Heat Pump