Brecan Mooney Installation of the Year 2016

7th April 2016 in conjunction with the GAI Conference at the SEAI Energy Show in the RDS

Brendan Robinson (Homeowner and designer),
Noel McGonigle and Neil McDaid (Daigon Renewables for Kelly's Car Showroom in Mountcharles Donegal)

Brendan Robinson was presented with the Installation of the Year award in the Domestic category for his installation of a geothermal heating system in his home in Blackrock, Blessington, Co. Wicklow.

The Geothermal heating system (installed in November 2013) demonstrates an innovative application of heat pump technologies to the extraction of heat from the residence's well water supply. Variable speed controls of the well pump provide sufficient water at pressure during the day to meet washing and food preparation needs. At night, pump speed ramps down to maintain a low pressure, low flow supply to transfer waste cooling energy away from the heat pump. The system replaced an oil boiler in the home, saving approximately €1000 every year in energy costs, as well as lowering the amount of CO2 emissions by 2.8 tonnes. Payback on the investment is expected to be achieved in 2019.

Neil McDaid and Noel McGonigle from Daigon Renewables received the award in the Non-Domestic Category for the installation of a geothermal heating system in Kelly's Toyota Showroom in Mountcharles, Co. Donegal.

The Geothermal system, installed by Daigon Renewables is used for both heating and cooling. In heating mode, a heat pump is used to provide warm water to underfloor heating. In cooling mode, the ground loop circuit takes heat from a heat exchanger to provide indirect cooling of the showrooms through a cooled floor. Energy offset from the direct air-conditioning, standard in car showrooms, is a significant contributor to what is a low energy, low-cost facility. A saving of €6000 a year on heating costs alone is expected to result in payback in nine years.

Brendan Robinson and Daigon Renewables, really lived up to the spirit of the competition, demonstrating how these geothermal installations have significantly contributed to reducing running costs for their owners, as well as the carbon footprint of the buildings.

Awards of Merit were also presented to the following:

• Non-Domestic Category:
  -  Gerard Duffy of Eurotech Renewables for "Fort View", Lisdoonan Community Residential Scheme, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
• Domestic Category:
  -  Neil McDaid and Noel McGonigle of Daigon Renewables, for installation in Dunlewey, Co. Donegal.
  -  Brian Cooley of Climate Control, Tuam, for installation in Streamstown, Co. Westmeath
  -  Gerard Duffy of Eurotech Renewables for the installation in Tullow, Co. Carlow