THOUSANDS of Donegal homes built before 1997 are poorly insulated and energy inefficient according to the country's leading renewable energy association.
The Renewable Energy Skills Accel Project (RES) claims that individual Donegal households from the urban centres to the county's most rural areas are wasting hundreds of euro each year on heating poorly insulated homes, and that the situation is unlikely to improve without Government intervention.
The network has indicated that the provision of grant aid to the owners of houses built prior to the introduction of the 1997 Building Regulations would help improve energy efficiency.
Mr Johnny Flynn, Chairperson of RES stated: "The introduction of environmentally sound construction methods and materials in the building of new homes is being undermined by the fact that approximately two thirds of existing Donegal homes remain poorly insulated and are, therefore, neither energy efficient nor environmentally friendly."
"If this Government is serious about significantly reducing overall carbon emissions, as set out under the recently launched Government White Paper, then it must address the disastrous situation whereby over a million homes across Ireland are extremely poorly insulated. Renewable Energy Skills would like to see grant aid being made available to the owners of homes built before 1997", continued Mr Flynn.
"Apart from reducing fuel and electricity bills, a more energy-efficient home helps to protect the environment and provide greater protection for householders against future increases in fuel costs, as well as making the use of renewable energy technologies a more practical option", concluded Mr Flynn.
Established in 2004, the Renewable Energy Skills Accel Project provides training and support to trades and professionals involved in the design and installation of renewable energy heating systems.
Anyone interested in attending the 3rd National Renewable Energy Heating Conference, exhibiting at the Renewable Energy Show or attending any of the renewable energy training events provided nationally should visit www.renewableenergy.ie, call 087-2644117 or email info@renewableenergy.ie
