Homes to face ‘carbon efficiency’ test

IRELAND’S existing housing stock will eventually have to be retrofitted at enormous expense to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, according to Environment Minister John Gormley.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Green Party leader said he intends to introduce new standards next year where new houses will be measured for carbon output rather than energy efficiency. He says that this is a more accurate measure, as it will reflect whether the house is heated by fossil fuels like coal or oil or by environmentally friendly methods such as solar power or wood-pellet burners.

However, he concedes that, for the achievement of the Government’s ambitious targets of a reduction of 3% per annum in CO2 emissions, it will have to grasp the nettle and deal with the 1.5 million homes that are already in existence. As of now, the new efficiency standards will not apply to them.