Energy Efficiency

Naoise Fleming

Contents

1. Some Key Facts2. The Governments involvement3. The Kyoto Protocol4. BER Assessment5. Case study:A2 rated house V. C3 rated house6. Grants available

Some key facts

• Energy use is responsible for two-thirds of Irelands green house gas emissions

• Domestic dwellings account for a quarter of all energy used in Ireland

• The average home in Ireland consumes 40% more electricity than it did in 1990

• Renewable energy accounts for just over 2% of Ireland’s energy supply.

The Government

• The Government has committed to achieving, in 2020, a 20% reduction in energy demand across the whole of the economy through energy efficiency measures.  Recognising that Government must lead by example, they are committed to achieving a 33% reduction in public sector energy use.

• Every year Irish consumers export nearly €6 billion from our economy buying energy from overseas.

• The housing sector is the single largest consumer of energy in this country, accounting for almost 30% of energy use and CO2 emissions

Kyoto Protocol

• The EU recognised that energy efficiency is the single most cost-effective way of meeting our Kyoto objectives. “An energy efficient building provides the required internal environment and services with minimum energy use in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner”

• Buildings are the biggest users of energy in Europe, representing approximately 40% of energy consumption in the EU

• The Kyoto Protocol came into force in 2005 and the proposed targets of reducing Greenhouse emissions by an average 5% compared with 1990 levels by the period 2008 - 2012 and became legally binding for the 15 member states.

• Ireland’s target under the Kyoto Protocol was to limit Greenhouse Gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels. That level was reached in 1997.

• Ireland’s greenhouse emissions will be some 19% above 1990 levels by 2012. This will lead to the purchases of allowances through the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible measures.

BER Assessment

• As of 2006,a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate is required at the point of sale or rental of a building, or on completion of a new build.

• The BER is accompanied by an "Advisory Report" setting out recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the energy performance of the building.

• There will be no legal obligation on vendors or prospective purchasers to carry out the recommended improvements.

• €5000 fine and/or 3months imprisonment• Sunday times article, one house received three different

ratings, D2, E1 and E2. €275, €350 and €358. 3 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour.

BER ScaleThe energy performance is expressed as primary energy use per unit floor area per year (kWh/m2/yr) represented on a scale as shown in. It runs from A1, most efficient to G least efficient. To obtain an A1 rating the building must have an energy performance of less than 25 kWh/m²/yr. G rated buildings have an energy performance greater than 450 kWh/m²/yr. New domestic buildings complying with the current regulations will be expected to rate as either possibly a B3 or C1.

Case Study A2 Rated House V C3 Rated House

• The SEI reveals that building an A rated passive house is on average between 6 per cent and 8 per cent more expensive than building a conventional house with a C3 rating.

• Market research gained through the Cepheus report reveals that other European countries such as Germany, Switzerland France shows extra building costs of approximately 10 per cent

Construction Costs

C3 rated Conventional Home

Construction Costs

Area (m2) Cost Per M2 Total

236 €1,188 €280,368

A2 rated Passive House

Construction Costs

Area (m2) Cost Per M2 Total

236 €1,346 €317,656

Conclusion

• The A2 rated passive home is 13.3 per cent more expensive. The location of this building, in a rural village in the west of Ireland increased the construction costs as the suppliers of energy efficient building products are not as easily accessed.

• Another point to note is that contractors may have to come from further distances as the construction of an A rated passive house is quite complex and not all local contractors have the capabilities to build such a dwelling which will also affect construction costs.

Running CostsC3 rated Conventional Home

Running Costs

Expected electricity and fuel consumption per annum Quantity Total

250,000 kwh/m2/yr €1,800

A2 rated Passive House

Running Costs

Expected electricity and fuel consumption per annum Quantity Total

5,900 kwh/m2/yr €750

Conclusion

• It is clear to see that Construction costs for building an A2 rated passive home are more expensive than building a conventional home. The difference in running costs is found to be €1050. It would take 34 years for the owner to make a return on the investment. After this period the initial extra cost of building an A2 rated passive house will begin to make a return.

GrantsHome Energy Saving (HES)

The Greener Homes Scheme

Biomass Boiler €3,000

Biomass Stove €1,100

Biomass Stove w/ Integral Back Boiler €1,800

Heat Pump Vertical Ground €3,500

Heat Pump Water to water €2,500

Heat Pump Air Source €2,000

Solar Flat Plate (to max. of 6m2) €250/ m2

Solar Evacuated Tube (to max. of 6m2) €300/ m2

The Warmer Homes Scheme• This scheme aims to improve the energy

efficiency and comfort conditions of homes occupied by low-income households who cannot necessarily afford the other two schemes above. It includes; attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice.

Recap

1. Some Key Facts2. The Governments involvement3. The Kyoto Protocol4. BER Assessment5. Case study:A2 rated house V. C3 rated house6. Grants available

The End