Moves to cut household energy bills by €300

NEW rules for energy-efficient buildings should save householders at least €300 a year on their heating bills and bring public buildings to a near zero energy use rating.

As well as improving insulation, it will ensure the energy efficiency of heating, cooling, lighting and even the position and orientation of the building cuts energy use.

The new legislation, passed by the European Parliament yesterday, was a major step towards meeting tougher climate change goals, Labour MEP Nessa Childers said.