Plans to make new houses greener

New houses built in Ireland will be more environmentally friendly according to plans unveiled today by the government’s Green party ministers.

Minister for the Environment John Gormley and Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan launched draft building regulations aimed at improving energy efficiency standards.

The move came as researchers claimed Irish homes create up to three times more carbon dioxide than houses in Britain.

The ministers’ announcement also coincided with a Green party “think-in” in Co Wicklow where members reflected on their first 100 days in government.

“These regulations are the first dramatic step in the process of achieving carbon zero housing,” said Mr Gormley.

“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.

“It will also make a significant contribution to Ireland’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas levels.”

The draft Regulations include plans for:

A 40% improvement in energy efficiency for new homes in 2008.

A 40% reduction in CO2 emissions.

A mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement in all new homes, such as solar heating systems.

Mandatory levels of energy efficient fixed light fittings.

Minimum standards on heating systems to ensure they are highly energy efficient.

Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan welcomed the new draft regulations, which it is hoped will be in place by next year.

He said: “I will continue to ensure that my department provides the necessary support to installers and the building industry in order to meet these challenging requirements.”

The announcement came as an energy expert shed light on the poor performance of typical Irish homes.

Patrick Daly of the Dublin Institute of Technology said research showed Ireland’s housing stock can produce up to 200% more environmentally damaging carbon dioxide than homes in Britain.

“Building standards in Ireland have been substandard for far too long, leading to easily avoidable environmental damage, and high heating bills,” he said.

But he claimed the changes in building energy standards announced today could help address the problem.

“As a result of the new regulations we will be much closer to the UK standards, and some of the shockingly poor performing house types will no longer be permitted”, he said.