MMC Eco Homes: Delivering A-Rated, Energy-Efficient Value
MMC Eco Homes offers fast, smart, and more energy-efficient builds for the residential market. Working with skilled tradespeople knowledgeable in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and sustainable building materials, the Galway-based company can deliver new housing in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.
The frequently inclement weather in the West of Ireland makes energy efficient homes critical for people to live comfortably. With Modern Methods of Construction and innovations in green building materials, it can be much easier to build homes that meet these needs.
Since Building Energy Ratings (BER) were made statutory in 2009, all new builds in Ireland have used this system to inform homeowners about a building’s insulation, heating systems, ventilation. The BER rating can also inform the overall quality of construction. Buildings closer to an ‘A’ Rating will retain more heat while maintaining good ventilation, while those lower on the scale will likely be harder to warm and cool.
MMC Eco Homes are committed to affordable, environmentally friendly and — most ambitiously — A rated homes. This reflects the vision of its CEO, Ciaran Walshe, to “deliver value for homeowners” by building properties the MMC Eco Homes team would be proud to live in themselves.
“We want to build a lot of houses every year and be known as a company that genuinely care about the sustainability and high quality of the work we do.”
CEO, MMC Eco Homes
How does MMC Eco Homes do it? Panelised building, a core principle in modern construction techniques, incorporating Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs).
SIPs are comprised of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between engineered wooden panels. This prefabricated system is comparatively light, strong, and offers excellent air tightness and thermal insulation. MMC Eco Homes deliver these panels finished with plasterboard and with windows and doors pre-installed, ensuring precision and reducing onsite installation times. This also streamlines the construction processes and enhances the productivity of onsite installers and assembly operatives.
JP Simpson is one such installer that works with MMC Eco Homes on Munster-based projects. While also running his own construction business, Big Man Modular, JP was tempted to work with Ciaran and MMC Eco Homes in 2023.
“When I met Ciaran, MMC Eco Homes had no installers in Ireland. I believed in what he was doing and could see he had a lot of expertise in sustainable building. So, I came onboard, and we became the only Irish companies using Structurally Insulated Panels at that time.”
Installer, MMC Eco Homes
JP’s background is in carpentry, a trade he plied for many years while living in the US. There he worked mainly in residential building, including working on a private development for the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai. He also spent time living in Haiti where he supported work in disaster relief creating prefabricated modular buildings. It’s a style of building that JP started to research more as the years went on and now feels should define the Irish construction landscape.
“Ireland should be leading in modular construction because the weather, especially along the Atlantic, just isn't conducive for building block by block. It’s all about changing people’s perceptions of what a house is and what it can be. The speed of modular, the high-quality, and the fixed price you get from building in controlled factory conditions all mean good results for the homeowner.”
Installer, MMC Eco Homes
When he returned to Ireland, he took this modular mindset and started building modular homes for clients across the south and west of Ireland, where he met Ciaran.
Another MMC Eco Homes installer is Stephen Murphy. His career started in plant hire with construction firm JJ Rhatigan, before pursuing his own conversion projects and small builds. He met Ciaran, ironically, while on a renovation job and thought working with MMC Eco Homes would be a good change for his career.
“I had never worked with Structurally Insulated Panels before I met Ciaran. It was a crash course, learning about the manufacturing and installation process, but I got a lot of support from Paul [Iredale, Production Manager for MMC Eco Homes], who works in the manufacturing facility and knows SIPs inside out.”
Installer, MMC Eco Homes
Stephen works on residential and commercial projects for MMC Eco Homes across Clare and Connacht, a sweep which can mean a lot of driving but also keeps him “close to family”. Going forward, Stephen wants to continue learning more about MMC so he can keep his skills with using sustainable building materials up to date.
“I am interested in the upskilling courses are out there that can help me grow.”
Installer, MMC Eco Homes
As for Ciaran himself, he wanted to work in construction since his first visit to a site with his dad when he was just 15 years’ old. He started off on the finance side but quickly realised he “couldn't stay stuck behind a desk”. He studied Construction Management to help him get into project management, on the client side and as a developer, but after encountering MMC he knew he needed to explore further.
“After my experiences, both in my own company and in project management roles, I was convinced there were better ways to build. I remember the unit I studied on modular building and decided to investigate. I’m convinced that Structurally Insulated Panels are how you deliver the most value for homeowners while remaining sustainable, so I started MMC Eco Homes.”
CEO, MMC Eco Homes
The numbers behind this vision don’t lie. While conventional builds struggle for an airtightness rating of less than 1.0, homes built using SIPs and other Modern Methods of Construction can achieve ratings of 0.7 and lower. This translates to less warm or cool air lost from the building and less thermal bridging, courtesy of the insulating elements built into SIPs. And what does this mean for homeowners who want sustainable, energy efficient homes easier on the wallet? JP had the last word.
“A home built using SIPs and other appropriate energy efficiency materials can sit on the edge of a cliff in Kinsale and be heated for just €200 per year.”
Installer, MMC Eco Homes
