The Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) have said that the Government'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 County Council and Limerick County Council, will administer the multi-million Euro Scheme, which is also being piloted in Dundalk and Tipperary.

With an initial investment of €5 million, the regional pilot is designed to inform the rollout of the full scale €100 million national scheme envisaged in the Programme for Government.

"The aim of the Scheme is to encourage homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions," explained Mr. Pat Stephens, Director of the LCEA.

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Mr Stephens said: "The scheme will target older housing as these homes are most in need of energy efficiency retrofitting. By participating in the Scheme, householders in counties Clare and Limerick, with the exception of Limerick City, can potentially save up to €500 on their energy bills every year."

He added: "Householders will avail of a Building Energy Rating (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."

Concluding, he said: "Homeowners interested in receiving financial assistance in improving the energy efficiency of their own home should call the Lo-Call number that will be advertised by Sustainable Energy Ireland the Government over the coming days. Alternatively, they may view our website at www.lcea.ie for further information on the Home Energy Saving Scheme."

(JM)