#Energy Efficiency

#Energy Efficiency

Articles and analysis relating to measures that can improve energy efficiency in the home.

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>'This Government has demonstrated beyond doubt that it is not one which should be "entrusted" to shape the parameters of the nation’s vital energy requirements well into the future,' writes one correspondent.</p>

yourview

Letters to the Editor: Selling off our energy control is a disgrace

Why are we not facing up to the incontrovertible fact that the policy of privatisation as practiced by this government continues to be detrimental to the wellbeing, health, and wealth of our nation?This Government has demonstrated beyond doubt that ...

<p>Under the Climate Action Plan, some 500,000 B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) home upgrades are targeted by 2030.</p>

news

Just a third of 10,000 retrofits delivered B2 or higher energy rating

Nearly 10,000 retrofits of one form or other were completed in the first quarter of this year but just 3,300 were completed to "B2 or better" energy rating.

<p>Could this be a first step on the path to universal pay-to-view?</p>

yourview

Letters to the Editor: RTÉ and GAA should protect free-to-air TV broadcasting

I’m your typical GAA enthusiast — paying my club membership, former player, administrator, match day volunteer, fund-raiser, etc — all for the love of our national games.

Man filling oil tank with domestic heating kerosene. England, UK

news

Demand for heating fuels drops sharply as prices increase

Mortgage Application

economy

Green mortgages on the rise — but it's not always the best rate

Ports must race against the clock to build infrastructure that can support offshore wind farms

companies

Ports must race against the clock to build infrastructure that can support offshore wind farms

Reducing energy consumption in the milking parlour

Reducing energy consumption in the milking parlour

Milking Unit In Gurteen, we have always felt a responsibility to be environmentally sustainable. For us, an important piece in the sustainability jigsaw is energy reduction.

Mon, 15 May, 2023

Noel Cunniffe: We have the resources to build an energy-independent Ireland — we just need action

Noel Cunniffe: We have the resources to build an energy-independent Ireland — we just need action

A broken planning system, an electricity grid that urgently needs reinforcement, and a lack of ports infrastructure are stifling the development of Ireland's offshore wind projects

Sun, 07 May, 2023

Clare Shine 3/5/2023

Letters to the Editor: Suicide is still a serious problem in Ireland

Darkness Into Light, the flagship fundraiser for Pieta House has developed into a powerful movement, one that sends out a message of hope, compassion, and support to many people.

Fri, 05 May, 2023

Energy Costs

Climate change: 'No getting away from need' for higher taxation to deter fossil fuel use

Climate scientists warn Ireland must pick up pace of decarbonisation — but say Ireland's progress in terms of renewables provides a hopeful note

Wed, 03 May, 2023

Abortion Referendum

Letters to the Editor: Reluctance to change abortion laws is nothing new

So Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin are “reluctant” to change Ireland’s abortion laws? Well, nothing new there.

Thu, 27 Apr, 2023

VAT rate on new solar panels cut to zero saving households €1,000 on installation

VAT rate on new solar panels cut to zero saving households €1,000 on installation

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan signed off on the move in a bid to encourage more people to opt for renewable energy

Sun, 02 Apr, 2023

Ryan: Energy company windfall tax will be ringfenced for cost-of-living supports

Ryan: Energy company windfall tax will be ringfenced for cost-of-living supports

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said the Government expects to take in between €280m and €600m from the new levies

Tue, 21 Mar, 2023

Home heating difficulties

People forced to choose between 'heat or eat' as Government policies fail, report warns

Based on input from 32 experts across housing, poverty, climate and energy, it argues vulnerable and lower-income households are being failed the most by Government policies

Wed, 15 Mar, 2023

Denis Collins: We need a modern-day Marshall Plan to deliver energy transition

Denis Collins: We need a modern-day Marshall Plan to deliver energy transition

Decarbonising Ireland's economy and achieving energy security is a far bigger task than the grid, heat pumps, and electric vehicles — but the good news is the prize is well within reach

Sun, 12 Mar, 2023

Energy bills

Cost of energy tops list of concerns for housebuyers, survey reveals

Searches by energy rating on the MyHome.ie website increased by more than 35% in the first two months of 2023 compared to the final two months of last year

Mon, 06 Mar, 2023

Energy bills

Huge rise in number of people unable to heat homes, warns SVP

Report shows some 377,000 people lived in homes they were unable to afford to adequately heat.

Wed, 01 Mar, 2023

Letters to the Editor: What is the role of our umpires?

Letters to the Editor: What is the role of our umpires?

Regarding the role of the umpire in today’s GAA games.

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Measures to ease pressures on marine life 'ambitious', says O'Brien

Measures to ease pressures on marine life 'ambitious', says O'Brien

A range of measures aimed at "tackling pressures" on marine life around Ireland includes zoning in on pollution, guidance for new offshore renewable energy, and tackling invasive species threatening sea life.

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Ireland must 'catch up' on offshore wind energy, says Simon Coveney

Ireland must 'catch up' on offshore wind energy, says Simon Coveney

Ireland has immense natural resources but has been overtaken by countries such as Scotland and Portugal, says the minister

Thu, 23 Feb, 2023

Catherine Conlon: Cars are not the future of transport

Catherine Conlon: Cars are not the future of transport

More oversized EVs and more roads take the focus off what is needed — better public transport and active travel

Wed, 08 Feb, 2023

10,000 homes sign up to ESB's Beat the Peak energy saving scheme

10,000 homes sign up to ESB's Beat the Peak energy saving scheme

Energy firm to carry out extensive advertising campaign to attract more households to scheme

Sun, 05 Feb, 2023

Cordless vacuum cleaner

How to use home appliances like a pro — and save money

Energy-savvy and cost-cutting secrets to know about washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers and vacuum cleaners

Sat, 28 Jan, 2023

Cop26 backgrounders

British households asked to reduce power for second day as wind fades

Monday marked the first time British households were asked to help balance the network after freezing temperatures caused demand to spike

Mon, 23 Jan, 2023

Man installing thermal roof insulation layer - using mineral wool panels. Attic renovation and insulation concept

Energy body has €700m budget to carry out retrofitting works

Energy-efficiency improvements for those in receipt of certain welfare payments will make homes 'more comfortable, healthier, and cost-effective to run' but there are recruitment concerns

Tue, 17 Jan, 2023

Wind energy cut gas costs by €2bn

Wind energy cut gas costs by €2bn

Wind energy provided 34% of Ireland's electricity needs last year and helped consumers avoid paying €2bn for gas according to new data from Wind Energy Ireland.

Mon, 16 Jan, 2023

Letters to the Editor: Huge change is needed to deal with crises in our hospitals

Letters to the Editor: Huge change is needed to deal with crises in our hospitals

I listened with mounting anger to Leo Varadkar telling the nation that it was “unacceptable” that people should have to spend hours or even overnight on a trolley in hospital.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2023

Eirgrid chief says role for nuclear energy deserves 'deep interrogation'

Eirgrid chief says role for nuclear energy deserves 'deep interrogation'

A potential role for nuclear energy in Ireland deserves "deep interrogation" in the quest for a carbon-neutral power system, Eirgrid's chief executive has said.

Wed, 04 Jan, 2023

Energy costs

Most EU states failing to reduce energy consumption despite pledge to slash demand

Analysis found eight countries have taken no measures to reduce gas and electricity consumption, and only 12 have taken some steps

Wed, 14 Dec, 2022

What is nuclear fusion and what have scientists achieved?

What is nuclear fusion and what have scientists achieved?

After 70 years of research, experts in California have for the first time proven ignition is possible

Tue, 13 Dec, 2022

Closeup of woman warming her hands on the heater at home during cold winter days. Heating season.

Irish Examiner View: Power grid gets first winter test

High demand coupled with several low-wind days which will prevent renewable power topping up our supply

Mon, 12 Dec, 2022

Energy created by renewables to overtake coal as largest source of electricity

Energy created by renewables to overtake coal as largest source of electricity

In Ireland, renewable potential has been long touted, but urgently needs ramping up to avoid even further squeezing of the country's energy security and dependence on fossil fuels

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Eirgrid to start digging trenches in East Cork next spring for Celtic Interconnector cables

Eirgrid to start digging trenches in East Cork next spring for Celtic Interconnector cables

Eirgrid will start digging trenches in East Cork from next spring for the Celtic Interconnector cables which will bring electricity into the country from France, and those who will benefit from the project's €2.

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Demand from data centres threatens Irish carbon budgets, study warns

Demand from data centres threatens Irish carbon budgets, study warns

The increasing demand of data centres threatens Ireland's carbon budgets, while stubborn overreliance on fossil fuels is locking the country into a trap of energy insecurity, high prices, and high emissions.

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Energy costs

Electric Ireland and Flogas 'not transparent' over costs for new customers

Both companies ordered to implement remedial action after spot check by regulator

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Person viewing a smart meter and making a hot drink, with a white kettle

What does it cost to boil the kettle and how much is my wifi router costing me?

As households look to save on energy bills, a new Government booklet gives practical advice on how to cut usage

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Letters to the Editor: Screening does more good than harm

Letters to the Editor: Screening does more good than harm

The opinions expressed by Alison O’Connor in her column on Friday, November 25 should be read widely (Alison O’Connor: We must not let fear of litigation halt future screening programmes). I agree with each and every one of her comments on screening.

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Record number of heat pumps to be sold this year despite high upfront cost

Record number of heat pumps to be sold this year despite high upfront cost

Record numbers of heat pumps are expected to be sold globally this year but remain up to four times as costly as a gas boiler upfront, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Wed, 30 Nov, 2022

Oliver Mangan: Few workers leave Irish economy very reliant on labour from overseas

Oliver Mangan: Few workers leave Irish economy very reliant on labour from overseas

Strong inflows of foreign direct investment have been a key factor behind the extraordinary growth in output, exports and employment enjoyed by the Irish economy in the past couple of years.

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Octopus increases stake in Cork's Simply Blue with €27.5m investment

Octopus increases stake in Cork's Simply Blue with €27.5m investment

Cork offshore wind farm developer the Simply Blue Group has secured the additional financial backing of €25m from UK energy firm Octopus. A further €2. 5m has also been raised from other investors bringing the total investment to €27. 5m.

Thu, 17 Nov, 2022

Cork's Clean Coasts team on the crest of a wave with new boat deal

Cork's Clean Coasts team on the crest of a wave with new boat deal

The award-winning voluntary eco-group which cleans some 80kms of coastline is about to set sail in the fight against marine litter.

Mon, 14 Nov, 2022

Offshore Energy Skills event

Government gives go-ahead for first offshore wind auction

The Government has approved the terms and conditions for its first auction for offshore wind with expectations it will provide for up to 2. 5GW — enough to power 2. 5m Irish homes — of “clean electricity”.

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

Shannon estuary's massive offshore wind potential

Shannon estuary's massive offshore wind potential

The potential electricity generation from west coast winds could deliver 30 gigawatts of energy by 2050 — six times more than domestic demand

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Contracts for electricity interconnector to be signed shortly in significant step for project

Contracts for electricity interconnector to be signed shortly in significant step for project

The cable will allow Ireland and France to export energy between the two countries, adding extra 'layer of security' to energy supply

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Wind provided close to half of Ireland's energy needs in October

Wind provided close to half of Ireland's energy needs in October

It was the strongest-ever October performance for wind energy and helped bring the average wholesale electricity price to its lowest level since August 2021

Thu, 03 Nov, 2022

Two Workers Installing Solar Panels On Modern House.

Cork housing association installing cutting-edge heating systems in homes to beat fuel price hikes

Carbery Housing Association based in West Cork to avail of EU funding to retrofit all its housing stock to bring it up to a B2 energy rating

Tue, 25 Oct, 2022

Just Stop Oil protest

Maeve Higgins: Just Stop Oil is about a choice — profit for a few or survival for all

Activist: 'The real question is why millions aren’t in civil resistance rather than why I am'

Sat, 22 Oct, 2022

Entrepreneur hands working on power outage with candles

What should I do during a power cut?

It's always useful to be prepared for a power cut — particularly if energy shortages were to cause winter blackouts

Thu, 20 Oct, 2022

Power up your energy-retrofit journey on Cork's Grand Parade

Power up your energy-retrofit journey on Cork's Grand Parade

The bright little Home Energy Upgrade booth on Grand Parade, Cork will be in place until January of 2024

Wed, 19 Oct, 2022

Cabinet meeting - Dublin

Department of Environment chief 'not aware of the specifics' of why Ireland did not apply to EU energy fund

Ireland is one of just two European nations which failed to apply for the initiative, which is expected to deliver €37bn in biomethane funding alone in the coming years

Thu, 13 Oct, 2022

Puzzles hub