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In Ireland until recent times, not enough of attention was paid to the financial and environmental benefits of energy saving practices. The following statistics make one realise the extent of waste and damage that carelessness in this matter can cause.
• Energy use is responsible for two-thirds of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• Irish homes use around a quarter of all energy used in the country– that is even more than industry.
• The average home consumes almost 40% more electricity than in 1990.
• Renewable energy currently accounts for just 2% of Ireland’s energy supply.
Any Irish homes are very wasteful of energy, particularly those constructed before 1980. Various cost-effective energy saving opportunities exist which, through reducing fuel and electricity bills, can pay for themselves in a relatively short time. The implementation of energy conservation measures can also make the house warmer, more comfortable, and eliminate cold and draughts and condensation.
By conserving energy in our homes, we can
• Save money
•Help to conserve fuel resources
•Promote a cleaner environment.
On a wider scale, conservation can reduce polluting emissions, provide employment, and reduce Ireland’s fuel imports bill. Most of our energy currently comes from oil, coal, natural gas and peat. These resources are finite, and if we continue to use them at current rates, they will run out within a small number of generations. In the meantime, the burning of these fuels releases pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to smog, acid rain and, in the longer term, climate change.
Energy Conservation measures in the home include:
•Design and shape of the building
•Insulation of the building fabric
•Energy-efficient heating and lighting systems, and controls
•Energy-efficient appliances
Heat loss through the fabric of the building can be substantial, and in section, we are going to look at methods of insulating the building fabric of your home to reduce this loss.
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