Why Technical Planning Comes Before Any Upgrade
Energy upgrades involve significant expenditure. The sequence in which they are done, and the specification chosen for each, has a direct bearing on whether the outcome matches expectations.
The Problem with Upgrade-First Thinking
The typical path a homeowner takes is to identify an upgrade — attic insulation, for example — arrange a contractor, and proceed. This approach is not wrong, but it is incomplete. Without understanding how that one element interacts with the rest of the building, it is difficult to know whether it is the right first step, what specification is appropriate, or whether it might create unintended consequences such as increased moisture risk.
Attic insulation added to a house with inadequate eaves ventilation can trap moisture in the roof structure. Cavity wall insulation in a property with existing dampness issues can make matters worse. External wall insulation applied before windows are replaced may need to be partially removed when windows are eventually upgraded. These are not unusual situations — they are common outcomes of upgrade-first, plan-later approaches.
A technical assessment done before any work begins gives you a clear picture of the building as it currently stands, the interactions between its elements, and a sequence of improvements that avoids these pitfalls.
Measurement Before Recommendation
Every finding in our reports is based on measured data from the property, not assumptions from property type or age alone.
Calibrated Equipment
Thermal imaging cameras require calibration and correct environmental conditions to produce reliable data. We follow established protocols for emissivity settings, temperature differential requirements, and image interpretation.
Element-by-Element Calculation
Heat loss is calculated separately for each building element using measured dimensions and assessed U-values. This produces a ranked list of loss pathways, not a single overall figure.
Interaction Awareness
We consider how proposed upgrades interact with each other and with existing building fabric. Ventilation requirements, thermal bridging at junctions, and heating system sizing are all reviewed in context.
Plain Language Reporting
Technical findings are translated into clear written recommendations. The report is designed to be used by the homeowner in conversations with contractors, architects, and grant advisors.
Deep Familiarity with Irish Construction Eras
Irish housing stock from the 1960s through the 1990s was built under construction norms that bear little resemblance to current standards. Cavity walls were left unfilled. Attic insulation, where present, was typically laid at 50–75mm — a fraction of current guidance. Heating systems were sized for high-loss buildings and often remain in place decades after their design life.
This era of construction is not a monolith. There are meaningful differences between a 1965 solid-wall terraced house, a 1978 cavity-wall semi-detached, and a 1992 timber-frame detached property. Each has its own set of common defects, upgrade constraints, and sequencing considerations.
Our assessments reflect this specificity. We are not applying a generic template — we are assessing the actual building in front of us, informed by a detailed understanding of how it was likely built and how it has likely aged.
A Note on What We Do Not Do
We are a technical planning service. We do not install anything. We do not act as a registered BER assessor for certification purposes. We do not process SEAI grant applications on your behalf. We do not manage building works or source contractors.
This is a deliberate boundary. Our role is to produce the technical plan that informs your decisions. The installation work, grant applications, and contractor management are separate activities that you carry out with the appropriate parties, using our report as a foundation.
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