Cornafulla National School was selected through the 2021 Public Sector Pathfinder Programme to undergo a deep retrofit. The school was comprehensively assessed to identify suitable upgrade measures. These needed to deliver value to both the school and the programme learnings.

The  energy upgrade allowed for a minimum B1 Energy rating to be achieved; a vast improvement on the current C2 rating of the building. With all upgrade options, the primary energy of the building was reduced by over 50%.

This school was constructed in three stages as follows:

• Original School Building, 1983 – Single story, solid wall construction – Area 726m2
• Main School Extension, 2011 – Single story extension added on to main school structure, cavity wall construction – Area 1,128m2
• School Entrance Extension – Single story building with timber cladding external  and cavity wall construction – Area 71m

The total school footprint is 1,925m2

This project involved fabric improvement throughout the school, installation of two port valves and thermostats to classrooms, installation of new BMS including electrical metering, existing lighting replacement with new LED fittings, cost of replacing external lights with new LED light fittings and installation of 2kW of PV.

Matt O’Mahony & Associates were responsible for the Energy Analysis work on the project, and also designed the Mechanical & Electrical system upgrades that included the installation of the following:

• LED lighting system with occupancy and daylight control
• 6kWp Solar PV system
• EV charging points
• Building Energy Management System
• air source heat pump, new buffer tank, and low temperature radiator distribution system to replace oil boiler
• MVHR system to improve ventilation and indoor comfort