This article is from page 10 of the 2008-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) has said that the Govern- ment’s launch of a Home Energy Saving Scheme had presented the people of Clare and Limerick with an ideal opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The LCEA, along with Clare Coun- ty Council and Limerick County Council, will administer the multi- million euro pilot scheme. “The aim of the scheme is to en- courage homeowners to improve the
energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and green- house gas emissions,’ explained Pat Stephens, Director of the LCEA.
“By participating in the scheme, householders in counties Clare and Limerick, with the exception of Lim- erick City, can potentially save up to €500 on their energy bills every year,’ he said.
“Thousands of tonnes of CO2 will also be saved in its first year alone. The full €100 million scheme is ex- pected to yield greenhouse gas sav- ings of 175,000 tonnes per year,” said
Mr Stephens.
Outlining the operation of the scheme across Clare and Limerick, Mr Stephens stated, “Householders will avail of a Building Energy Rat- ing (BER) assessor to come to their house, give the home a BER rating and advise on the works that need to be carried out to improve energy efficiency. The homeowner will pre- pay €100 towards the cost of this assessment, with Sustainable Energy Ireland subsidising the balance. The Government, therefore, will cover approximately two thirds of the cost
of the assessment.”
“The assessor may advise that the house requires such work as attic insulation, interior or exterior wall insulation, low emissions double- glazing, heating control or a range of other energy efficient works.
“The Government will then cover up to 30 per cent of the cost of these works, to a maximum of €2,500. On completion of the works a follow-up energy assessment on the building will be undertaken so that there is a “before and after” test of what has been done,” he said.
Mr Stephens urged householders across Clare and Limerick to imme- diately consider the scheme. ‘Homeowners interested in receiv- ing financial assistance in improv- ing the energy efficiency of their own home should call the Lo-Call number that will be advertised by Sustainable Energy Ireland the Gov- ernment over the coming days. “Alternatively, they may view our website at www.lcea.ie for further information on the Home Energy Saving Scheme,’ concluded Mr Stephens.