Govt urged to encourage energy efficient homes

The construction of energy-efficient homes must be encouraged by the Government with financial incentives, it was claimed today.

The use of energy in homes accounts for around 28% of all energy related- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in Ireland, more than either transport or industry.

Labour Party Environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore said there was a need to encourage people to install solar panels, ground heat pumps and even small hydro turbines in their homes and buildings.

“If the Minister is serious about energy efficiency and about meeting Ireland’s commitments under Kyoto to reduce CO2 emissions, then providing help to those who want to make their homes more energy efficient is a logical and necessary step,” he said.

Under the Kyoto protocol, Ireland is only permitted to have a 13% increase in CO2 emissions by the end of the decade. But according to Sustainable Energy Ireland, CO2 levels will have risen by 25% between 1990 and 2010.

“Many people in Ireland are concerned about the global warming issue and the Government’s apparent apathy towards our Kyoto commitments. In addition, many people have real worries about the rising cost of heating fuel and of the additional financial strain that rising oil prices will put on households,” said Mr Gilmore.

He said that in Britain, the Clear Skies Programme has provided grants to people and organisations that install energy efficient technology.

“For example, a householder in Scotland installing a €7,300 ground heat pump would be eligible to receive a grant of €2,200.”

Sustainable Energy Ireland provides grants of up to €5,000 under its House of Tomorrow scheme to companies building ten or more units with certain energy saving technologies.

Mr Gilmore said the scheme should be widened to include individual new homes and existing homes which had energy efficient technologies installed.

“Creating a fiscal encouragement to those who wish to invest in renewable energies in their homes or community organisations would be a very progressive and effective step,” he said.