ENERGY SAVING BLOG

From 1 January 2014, 3% of public buildings should be renovated each year, with the clear aim to save energy. Currently, the same percentage is renovated per year but in only half of the cases energy efficiency improvements are included (1, 5% energy related renovation rate). In practice, this could mean that walls are insulated, double glazing windows are installed in kindergardens, schools or townhouses, roofs are redone and inefficient heating boilers replaced.

Better Energy will replace the three existing residential programmes: Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES), Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and Greener Homes Scheme (GHS) under one umbrella, with the aim of making it easier for people to make an informed choice about the most suitable energy saving measure for them when retrofitting their homes.

However grant levels have been reduced (except for external wall insulation).

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 [...]

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 economic downturn has turned all of us into savvy consumers. Nobody pays anymore without trying to get the best value possible out of any purchase and especially when it comes to buying or renting a property. With interest rates at an all time low, rents have dropped to their lowest level in years. Yet [...]

All buildings built after 31 December 2018 will have to produce as much energy as they consume on-site, says the European Parliament, amending the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. MEPs also call for more public investments in energy-efficient buildings. The legislative report was adopted by 549 votes in favour, 51 votes against and 26 [...]

Tenants living in rented accommodation which doesn’t meet new energy efficiency standards are to lose their rent relief, it was announced today. Energy Minister Eamon Ryan insisted the new regulations to be introduced before the end of the year will force landlords into upgrading their properties into warmer and cleaner homes. Under the plan, leased [...]