Storms and power cuts 'must prompt redesign of new homes', according to councillors

Cork county councillors have asked officials to reexamine house designs as newly constructed properties almost solely rely on electricity for heating

A pole sits precariously following Storm Éowyn at Abbeytown, Roscommon. Mayor of County Cork Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Carroll said the storm left people in some council homes in North Cork without any heating when their power went out. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin

The design of new homes needs a rethink to ensure that householders are not left without any heat source if they lose power during an extreme weather event. This call was made by local representatives in Cork who said lessons must be learned from the recent arctic blast which hit many parts of the county, and the increasing frequency of storms.

Cork county councillors have asked officials to reexamine house designs as newly constructed properties almost solely rely on ‘heat to air pump/air to water systems’ which are dependent on electricity.