Pilot housing project aims to save energy

AN environmentally-conscious local authority which is keen on cutting down on greenhouse gases is now focusing on gas-powered green homes.

Waterford County Council has taken its green policies to a new level with its latest energy-efficient housing project. A development of 20 social houses at Crobally, Tramore is the first of its kind in the county.

The homes are 20% more heat efficient than typical homes.

The council’s director of services, Caroline Curley, said: “This is a new departure for the local authority and we’re very excited about the possibilities for future housing developments.

“We’re looking to provide not only quality homes, but ones that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.”

The houses have been equipped with gas fired condensing boilers, a dual circuit heating system, hot water immersion with thermostatic and time control, thermostatic heating control in all rooms, energy efficient glazing and CFL lighting.

Ms Curley said: “This means the householder can decide which parts of the house to heat and to what temperature... You can also tell the system to provide heat only or hot water only, the two aren’t inextricably linked.”

The pilot scheme is being carried out in conjunction with the Waterford Energy Bureau.

Its manager, Liam Fleming, said: “One of the biggest benefits of the system is the thermostatic and time controlled hot water immersion.

“If you want hot water at a particular time, your system will check the temperature of the water in your system and will only switch on if it isn’t at a specified heat, unlike your standard immersion heater which switches on regardless and wastes energy continuously heating water needlessly.”

He said the typical annual heating energy costs for these houses, which average 80sq m in size, is between €500 and €600, a saving of up to two-thirds on the energy bill for a typical family home.

Senior executive officer with the council, Frank Curran, said: “This particular housing project was a first for the Council but the potential benefits for both the environment and the public are far reaching.”