Energy for change
Climate change is strongly linked with how we use energy within our homes, accounting for approximately 25% of Ireland’s total energy use, even more than industry.
For this reason, the Government has set out to tackle climate change with ambitious goals for 2030 such as the production of 70% of electricity from renewable sources, and the installation of 600,000 heat pumps in homes.
By carrying out home energy upgrades and by replacing fossil fuel systems, such as oil or gas boilers, with renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar thermal and PV, homeowners can successfully reduce their energy consumption and save money.
Apart from savings, there are a number of other reasons to upgrade your home.
A big one is comfort. By upgrading your insulation and adding renewables, you will enjoy a warmer, cosier, and healthier home.
Doing your bit for the environment is another great reason to upgrade. By reduce your home’s energy demand and adding renewables, you are reducing your Green House Gas emissions and improving your carbon footprint.
And finally – property value. Upgrading your home energy both modernises your home and improves your BER rating, both of which will increase the value of your property.
When it comes to planning your home energy upgrade, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has offered its three top tips to making sure everything goes smoothly and you get exactly the results you’re after.
1. Assess: The SEAI recommends starting your home energy upgrade with a Building Energy rating or BER assessment. This will tell you where your home currently lies on the A-G scale (A being most efficient). It will also identify what your priority upgrades should be. As a first step, contact a SEAI registered BER Assessor to identify what is required to bring your home to a B2. Following your BER assessment, you will receive an advisory report which will give you a personalised roadmap to bring your home up to an energy rating of B2 or better. It sets out the upgrades likely to have the biggest impact, with broad advice on likely costs.
Each personalised report follows a simple three step approach: address heat loss with insulation; improve energy efficiency of heating, lighting, ventilation; and add renewable technologies such as solar thermal or photovoltaic (PV).
2. Insulate: Once you have completed your BER assessment and are ready to start your home energy upgrade, it is always best to start with addressing the heat loss in your home. A home can lose up to 30% of its valuable heat through poorly insulated roofs and walls and a further 10% through poorly performing windows, doors, and uninsulated floors. By properly insulating your home you will significantly increase your comfort levels and reduce your heating bills.
3. Add renewables: When your home is well insulated you should then consider installing renewable technologies such as a heat pump system, solar PV or solar thermal to improve your overall home energy efficiency.
Installing a heat pump system in a well-insulated home will transform the comfort levels in your home and reduce your heating bills by improving your energy efficiency.
Heat pumps are a highly efficient alternative heating system to fossil fuel oil or gas boilers, so you are also supporting the environment by reducing your carbon emissions.
Solar PV systems on average can save between €200-€300 per year on your domestic electricity bill. By investing in solar PV, you will also be making an impact on the BER of your home and adding value to your home.
Solar thermal systems are designed to meet 50-60% of your overall hot water requirement over the year, thereby saving you money on your annual hot water heating bills.
For more practical advice to reduce your energy use and make a real difference to your energy bills, visit seai.ie/reduceyouruse.
You can also find Government supports available to help homes and businesses reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels at gov.ie/ReduceYourUse.