House rules for green construction

SOLAR-POWERED heating, appliances run on wind energy and carbon-free houses. The homes of the future were unveiled yesterday as strict rules for conserving energy use were announced.

Draft regulations revealed plans for new Irish homes by next year, will have to include massive gains in energy efficiency as well as huge cuts in CO2 emissions.

Environment Minister John Gormley said: “These regulations are the first dramatic step in the process of achieving zero carbon housing. The benefit to the consumer in savings on energy costs, as we face into an uncertain future with regard to carbon based fuel costs, will be a huge benefit to homeowners.”