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Domestic Heat Recovery Ventilation Achill
about project
Our Achill project was a unique blend of tradition and innovation. The client had purchased an old Irish stone cottage, a charming structure with 60 cm-thick stone walls, but one that lacked modern comfort and energy efficiency. Alongside the renovation of this traditional building, we added a new modular extension built with SIP panels.
The client’s main priority was to create a healthy, eco-friendly, and sustainable home that would stand up to the high-humidity conditions of the Atlantic coast. To achieve this, we recommended and installed a domestic heat recovery ventilation system by PRANA. By combining the charm of the old cottage with the efficiency of modern modular construction, this project became a showcase of how advanced ventilation technology can protect homes and improve quality of life.
Client’s Challenge
Homes in Achill face a unique climate challenge: constant Atlantic winds, damp air, and year-round humidity. Without proper ventilation, these conditions can quickly lead to condensation, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality.
The renovation posed two specific challenges:
Old Cottage Walls – The original stone walls were over half a metre thick. Creating openings for ventilation ducts required precision equipment and careful planning to avoid damaging the structure.
Modular Extension Walls – The new extension was built with 25 cm SIP panels, offering excellent airtightness and insulation. However, airtight builds increase the need for mechanical ventilation to ensure a healthy indoor environment.
The clients needed a solution that would integrate seamlessly across two very different structures while ensuring energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience against coastal humidity.
Our approach and solution
To deliver the best results, we installed a PRANA domestic heat recovery ventilation system, carefully adapting the process to suit each part of the house.
Cottage Installation – For the old stone cottage, we used wet diamond core drilling to create 162 mm openings through the 60 cm walls. This allowed us to fit the PRANA 160 ERP PRO model, with a 70 cm body length, ideal for thick masonry.
Extension Installation – The modular extension’s SIP walls required a different approach. Using bi-metal hole saws, we drilled clean openings through the 25 cm walls. Here, we fitted compact PRANA ERP PRO Mini models with a 36 cm body, perfectly suited for lightweight modular structures.
In total, five PRANA units were installed, balancing airflow across both the renovated and newly built spaces. This system ensures continuous air exchange, filtering pollutants and excess moisture while recovering up to 95% of the heat that would otherwise be lost.
result
The transformation was immediate and measurable. With the PRANA domestic heat recovery ventilation system in place, the home now enjoys:
Healthy Indoor Climate – Fresh, filtered air circulates throughout the house, keeping moisture and mold under control.
Eco-Friendly Performance – The system reduces heating demand by recycling warmth from outgoing air, lowering energy bills.
Balanced Integration – Both the old cottage and the modular extension benefit from tailored ventilation solutions suited to their wall structures.
Future-Ready Comfort – The airtight, insulated home can now maintain comfort levels year-round despite Achill’s harsh coastal environment.
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what our customers say?
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