ESB one of worst offenders for energy inefficiency

SOME of the worst offenders for energy inefficiency include government offices, HSE facilities and the ESB.

Not one public building assessed by energy efficiency experts has achieved the top grade in a ratings scheme designed to show wastage in electricity, gas and oil use and the extent of associated carbon emissions.

One of the biggest offenders is the ESB itself, which has eight buildings that all received the lowest possible ‘G’ rating and two others that scored unimpressive F and E2 grades.

About half the estimated 3,000 buildings covered by the scheme haven’t even received a grade because they have yet to get an assessment carried out – despite being required by law to have the result publicly displayed on a certificate in their premises since January of last year.

Of the 1,500 that have certificates, the majority are languishing among the low grades, with third-level institutions and local authority buildings also scoring Ds, Es, Fs and Gs.

Those ratings suggest poor levels of insulation or inefficient energy use, resulting in higher fuel bills – ultimately paid for by the taxpayer.

No A1s were scored and the premises housing the Abbey and Peacock Theatres in Dublin was the only non-school building to achieve an A2 rating.

The scheme, required under the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, is run by Sustainable Energy Ireland, which points to the age of many public buildings. Its programme manager Chris Hughes said: “If you have a really old building with a poor insulation level, it’s not going to perform well.”