Environmental
Restoration of Historic Walls
As part of our building programme of works at Tearmann House, we undertook an extensive restoration project for the walled garden on the site. After consultation with our Conservation Architect, it was revealed that the stone wall enclosing the garden had a rich history dating back to the mid-1700s but had deteriorated significantly over time. To restore the wall to its former glory, we dismantled it with each stone carefully cleaned and prepared for reuse in the reconstruction process. The entire restoration project took approximately nine months to complete. By carrying out this restoration work, we successfully preserved the historical significance of the walled garden while ensuring its structural integrity for years to come.
Energy Efficient Homes
It is our aim to continue improving energy efficiency in facilities across our portfolio to achieve material carbon footprint reductions and financial benefits for our service. Following the successful completion of our very first new-build facility in 2021, which achieved a building energy rating of A2, we identified more facilities within our portfolio that have, since then, been similarly enhanced to A-rated homes.
We have also undertaken a series of upgrade works, including installation of air-to-water heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation systems, enhancements to wall, roof, and floor insulation and the incorporation of triple-glazed windows and doors. Below are some samples of works completed so far.
New Build A-Rated
Over the past few years, we have completed the construction of several new build facilities, all of which have achieved an impressive Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2. These projects involved implementing various energy-efficient features, such as the installation of triple-glazed windows, underfloor heating with smart zone control thermostats, and an air-to-water heat pump as the primary heating source. This shift to an environmentally friendly option significantly surpasses the conventional use of fossil fuel burners.
Heat recovery ventilation systems have also been incorporated into these facilities. The ventilation system supplies fresh air from the outside but also retain the heat within rooms, effectively reducing energy consumption while ensuring excellent indoor air quality. These design measures, combined with highly insulated external walls and roof spaces, greatly diminish energy usage and the overall carbon footprint of the building, ultimately elevating the BER rating to A2.
Preserving our Heritage – Boyne Valley
In 2023, Nua Healthcare was a proud sponsor of “Preserving Our Heritage”, a compelling short documentary that highlighted the significance of heritage preservation, focusing on the Boyne Valley. This documentary was a means to support the conservation of our rich cultural legacy and provide some of our residents the unique opportunity to experience being and working on set, working with a crew of photographers and cinematographers, and learning more about the importance of preserving our heritage.
The documentary featured an insightful interview with world-renowned author Anthony Murphy, who discussed the critical importance of preserving sites like Boyne Valley. This area, known for its archaeological wonders and historical significance, reminds us of our shared past and the need to safeguard it for future generations.
We were delighted to support this documentary and encourage everyone to watch it here to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of heritage preservation, especially in historically rich areas like the Boyne Valley.
Our involvement in this project very much aligns with our mission to not only provide care and support but also to enrich the lives of our residents through meaningful experiences and learning opportunities.
Nua Healthcare Services embodies the commitment to environmental issues ensuring a sustainable future for all. Together, we pave the way for a greener world and a brighter tomorrow.
Green Fleet
Over the past few years, we have continued to introduce electric vehicles into our fleet. Kangoo E-Tech vehicles are 100% electric and offer the same generous load capacity as their equivalent diesel versions but with lower operating and maintenance costs, primarily due to the reduced reliance on fossil fuels, fewer moving parts, and less frequent maintenance requirements. We look forward to expanding our electric fleet in the years to come and continuing our commitment towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
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Garage Conversions
We have also developed additional accommodation units by converting existing garages ancillary to the main community dwellings into high-quality living areas. All of our recent garage conversions have achieved A2 Energy Ratings.
The construction works involved in our garage conversions encompass retrofitting additional wall and roof insulation, replacing traditional oil heating with energy-efficient air-to-water heat pumps, utilising high-quality windows and doors that meet the required U-values, implementing space heating with smart thermostat and zone controls, and installing rooftop solar panels for water heating. These measures contribute to the overall energy efficiency and sustainability of the converted units, aligning with our commitment to creating environmentally conscious living spaces.
Reconstructing the Boundary Wall
The boundary wall along Flemington Road was constructed in stages at approximately the same time as the walled garden. As the boundary wall adjoins the main road, the previous owners of the property had undertaken some maintenance and repair works over the years to the external façade of the boundary wall. However, minor repair or maintenance had been undertaken to the internal face of the wall, meaning the boundary also required significant repairs. One section of the wall was at risk of collapse, representing a major health and safety risk, given the proximity to the main road. Therefore, urgent action was taken to demolish and rebuild this wall section. As part of the overall works at Tearmann House, we repaired and rebuilt the entire length of the boundary wall to ensure its structural stability and that this historic stone wall stands for generations to come to protect the heritage of the area.
