In the continuing drive to reduce energy consumption, a new initiative is being introduced to give builders and specifiers the assurance that components will make a positive contribution towards creating low impact buildings.

The ‘Richmond Green’ concept has been developed by Richmond Building Products, and is being applied to the company’s range of products that help lower the building’s energy efficiency – or even help create its own energy supply. Any product carrying the ‘Richmond Green’ symbol gives an assurance that it will make a positive contribution towards CO2 emission reduction, be it in the product’s manufacture or its purpose in the building.

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The range already includes Passivent ventilation, which uses no electricity, only natural air movement, to ensure the building is effectively aired, Protect VC Foil vapour control membrane which yields a 500+ per cent reduction in heat flow through floors, roofs, ceilings and walls. TDI cavity closures which help eliminate heat loss round window and door frames, Nu-Lok solar panels which seamlessly integrate into the Nu-Lok roof to generate energy for the building below, and Fermacell dry lining board manufactured from 100 per cent recycled materials.

Danielle McCormick, overseeing marketing for Richmond Green, explains: “Buildings already account for 40 per cent of Ireland’s energy consumption, and production of the building materials themselves equates to 5-10 per cent of CO2 emissions. With increasing numbers of grants available towards sustainable construction, we felt it important to help specifiers and builders understand easily which products can help them construct in as environmentally friendly way as possible.

“The ‘Richmond Green’ symbol will, at a glance, give them the peace of mind that the chosen product is making a positive contribution towards reduction in energy consumption.”

Richmond Buildings Products supplies specialist products to the roofing and building industry.

(JM/SP)