HPI Certification: Building Energy-Efficient & Sustainable Homes in Ireland

Ireland's push for sustainable living is significantly advanced by the Home Performance Index (HPI), a national certification system that sets a high bar for residential development. This system, established by the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), provides a robust, nationally tailored green home label, aligning with Irish building regulations, EU CEN standards, and international WELL certification. Recognised for its transparency and best practices by the European Construction Sector Observatory, HPI is driving a paradigm shift in how homes are built and evaluated.

ENX Engineering is providing HPI and EU Taxonomy services to Glenveagh Homes for Phase 2 at Balmoston, Donabate, Dublin for Fingal County Council.

HPI serves as a critical tool for developers, investors, and homebuyers, offering third-party assurance of a home's sustainability. Aligned with the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy and Level(s), it is a readymade solution for financial institutions seeking to verify "green" home eligibility. Independently assessed, HPI awards certificates with HPI or Gold HPI ratings, signifying the standard of a home's design, construction, and environmental performance.

Since its 2016 trial, demand for HPI certification has grown exponentially, with reputable developers using it as a symbol of quality assurance. This surge reflects increasing consumer awareness of the climate crisis and a desire for sustainable living. The HPI manual guides design teams through comprehensive standards and criteria, ensuring homes are high-quality, healthy, comfortable, and resource-efficient.

HPI assessment is based on over 30 verifiable indicators across five key categories: Environment, Health and Well-being, Economics, Quality Assurance, and Sustainable Location. These indicators measure aspects like land use, water consumption, indoor air quality, and access to public transport. Mandatory requirements in areas like water efficiency, ventilation, and airtightness are essential, with points awarded based on provided evidence.

There are many reasons to certify Home Index Performance

The IGBC, a network of organisations from Ireland's built environment, manages and reviews HPI, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. HPI's development involved analysing international certification systems to create a high-quality benchmark for Irish homes.

Beyond basic building regulations, HPI encompasses a wide range of factors contributing to a home's overall sustainability. Environmental impact, assessed through energy efficiency, water consumption, and material life cycle assessments, is a core focus. Health and well-being are prioritised through evaluations of indoor air quality, acoustics, and daylight access. Quality assurance is ensured through checks on construction details and processes, while sustainable location considers access to amenities and public transport. Economic factors, including occupant running costs and long-term value stability, are also assessed.

The importance of HPI in Ireland stems from our country's climate targets. By encouraging sustainable practices, HPI benefits homeowners with energy-efficient, healthier, and more comfortable residences.

This table displays how Home Performance Index compares to other models, frameworks and certification systems for green buildings.

For companies like ENX Engineering, specialisng in MEP consultancy, HPI provides a valuable framework. By incorporating HPI principles into our designs, we can help clients create homes that meet the highest standards of sustainability, considering energy-efficient systems, ventilation, and sustainable materials.

In essence, the Home Performance Index is transforming Ireland's residential landscape, driving the creation of sustainable and desirable homes for all. Whether you are a developer, investor, financial institution, designer, or homeowner, HPI offers a clear and transparent path to a sustainable future.