ENERGY SAVING BLOG

Germany’s decision to abandon nuclear power is expected to increase demand for natural gas and speed up the development of renewable projects. The European Commission has been pushing hard for the integration and liberalisation of the electricity market and has funded the construction of cross-border interconnectors. Here at home, a single, all-island electricity market exists and talks are taking place on the development of renewable, off-shore energy projects with the British/Irish Council along with ministers from Northern Ireland and Scotland.

THE LAST two Irish winters delivered plenty of snow and ice, and if solar scientists are correct we had better get used to it. The sun seems to have gone on strike and the result will be Arctic wintertime conditions across northern Europe for the next 50 years. The sun should be getting more lively, [...]

Abraham Haim, a professor of biology at Haifa University in Israel, said that the bluer light that compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) emitted closely mimiced daylight, disrupting the body’s production of the hormone melatonin more than older-style filament bulbs, which cast a yellower light. Melatonin, thought to protect against some breast and prostate cancers, is produced [...]

Energy Efficiency Retrofit Fund for public and business sector Retrofit aims to deliver a major increase through this decade in the scale and depth of energy efficiency investments in upgrading existing buildings and facilities. This will require new delivery models to be developed and implemented, including the associated organisational, contractual and financial mechanisms. In pursuit [...]

Labels on household appliances such as fridges, washing machines and ovens will have to include more information on energy consumption, following a vote by MEPs on Wednesday 19 May 2010. Parliament approved a new layout of the EU energy efficiency label introducing additional “plus” classes to the familiar colour scheme. On Tuesday MEPs approved new [...]

From 8th June 2010, Building Energy Rating (BER) will be an integral part of all grant applications under the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme, whereby homeowners must undertake a BER on their home after grant aided works have been completed. This will give homeowners a thorough and objective assessment of the energy performance of their [...]

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today unveiled a five-year strategic plan with a mission of transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices, and a vision of making Ireland a recognised global leader in sustainable energy. Sustainable energy practices are already delivering significant savings to the Irish economy, [...]

We often receive phone calls from people enquiring if a BER is mandatory for the homes they occupy. The answer is: unless you are offering your home for Sale or to Let you do not need a BER Cert. However, chances are your home is leaking energy. A lot of energy and a lot of [...]

As confirmed by SEI on 08/07/2009 the HES (Home Energy Saver) scheme is still in operation and there is no “end date” set yet. SEI also confirmed to QR EnerStar that the funds are still available for homeowners interested in applying for a grant to increase the energy efficiency of their homes.

The amount of hybrid cars on Irish roads is a clear sign of the changes taking place.