Ireland's leading renewable energy association has welcomed the government's decision to allocate an additional €15m to the Home Energy Saving Scheme.

Renewable Energy Skills Skillnet (RESS), which has over 1,100 members throughout Ireland, said that the expansion of the multi-million Euro scheme was a significant move.

The government established the €5m Home Energy Saving scheme earlier this year.

RESS Chairperson Johnny Flynn said: "The introduction of environmentally sound construction methods and materials in the building of new homes is being undermined by the fact that a large percentage of Irish homes come nowhere near to meeting national energy efficiency targets.

-- Advertisement --

"Therefore, we welcome the allocation of €20m in funds for the extended Home Energy Saving Scheme in 2009," said Mr Flynn.

Outlining the operation of the Home Energy Saving Scheme, Mr Flynn explained: "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. The government, therefore, will cover approximately two thirds of the cost of the assessment."

Mr Flynn said the assessor may advise that the house requires work such 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% 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 'before and after' effects can be compared.

It is believed more than one million Irish homes, built before 1997 remain, poorly insulated and energy inefficient.

(PR/JM)