Energy plan: Households could save €500 a year

HOUSEHOLD energy bills could be reduced by €500 a year after the Government announced plans to give householders up to €2,750 each to make their homes more energy-efficient.

The Department of Energy has earmarked €100 million for a nationwide household energy-efficiency scheme, and the first €5m tranche is being spent this year in north Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Dundalk.

The Government and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will target 2,000 older homes initially, as they are in most need of energy efficiency retrofitting.

A building energy rating assessor will come to those households wishing to avail of the scheme. The assessors will give the home a BER rating and advise on works to improve energy efficiency.

The homeowner will pre-pay €100 towards the cost of this assessment, with SEI paying the remaining €250.

The assessor may advise such work as attic insulation, wall insulation, low emissions double-glazing, heating control or replacement of the boiler.

The Government will cover up to 30% of the cost of the works, to a maximum of €2,500.

The scheme, supported by the remaining €95m budget, will be rolled out nationally in 2009.

SEI estimates the householder will save up to €500 in their energy bills every year and that the scheme will save 6,000 tonnes of carbon in its first year alone.

The full €100m scheme is expected to yield greenhouse gas savings of 175,000 tonnes per year.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said: “Of the 1.7 million homes in Ireland, it is estimated up to 1 million require investment to improve their energy efficiency. This scheme will support homeowners who wish to invest in their homes to bring them up to modern energy efficiency standards. Such investment has been shown to pay for itself in energy savings in a few short years.

“This will help Ireland meet our climate change targets at the same time as assisting the householder with energy costs. Householders will save on their electricity and heating bills; they will use their energy more wisely and increase the resale value on their homes. The scheme will also be welcome news for the house-building sector.”

In the event that more applications are received than can be accommodated in the pilot project, SEI will shortlist applicants.

* Members of the public interested in availing of the scheme should ring 1850 927000 or email [e-mail].