This article is from page 4 of the 2013-06-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE RACE is on to find the county’s least energy efficient home as part of an EU pilot study, and the winner will get financial assistance to upgrade the energy efficiency of their house. The study is focusing on the impacts of successive energy efficiency upgrade programmes on the County’s housing stock.
The Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA), supported by Clare County Council, is conducting the Energy Performance Of Clare Homes (EPOCH) project.
The LCEA will provide financial assistance towards energy efficiency works and professional energy guidance to the owners of homes deemed to be least energy efficient.
The project, which has been launched to coincide with European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2013, is open to houses built in Clare before 2005 and the closing date for applications is July 5.
“For one reason or another and despite financial pressures increasing on homeowners to keep their properties heated, the majority of Clare homes remain energy inefficient,” explained Patrick Stephens, LCEA Manager.
“The total number of permanent households in Clare is 42,534, of which 29,269 or just 68.8 per cent were constructed prior to 2000. Our research indicates only 7,423 of these homes have benefited from energy upgrades,” he said. “This is likely to be reflected in the public submissions we receive as part of the EPOCH.”
To enter EPOCH, homeowners must occupy a house built in Clare before 2005 and return a completed questionnaire to the Limerick Clare Energy Agency (via the Environment Section, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, County Clare) or enter online at www.lcea.ie before July 5. Questionnaire forms are also available from reception at Áras Contae and Chláir in Ennis.
The winning submissions will be announced on July 12 and will receive progression guidance and finance towards energy efficiency works.