Irish Energy Consultancy Service

Insulation Services

Attic and wall insulation can be inspected in your home. Access to the attic is required to assess the amount and the condition of the insulation. Determining the cavity wall insulation may require a bore scope (small hole drilled in the external cavity to determine the amount of insulation present) or we have default values for cavity wall insulation built at certain periods in the building industry. We can provide independent advice on the most cost effective way to improve insulation levels as well as sourcing suppliers of the relevant products.

Space Heating

The majority of energy costs are associated with space heating. There are many ways to provide room heating or space heating including; oil boiler and pellet boiler with radiators or oil boilers with under floor heating.

Increasing the efficiency of the existing space heating in your home will reduce costs significantly. One method is called Zoning, which requires the installation of thermostats in different areas of the house. This will allow you to control the heat demand in your home.

For example, in a two-storey house the daytime heating requirements during the cooler months include the living quarters (sitting room or kitchen). By having the house zoned, you control where the heat is needed by turning on the switch or thermostat in this area and leaving it off upstairs. This concept also works in single-storey houses. These thermostats can also be controlled by timers; later in the evening the heat will come on in bedrooms. We will advise you on the most beneficial and cost-effective approach for your home.

Water Heating

Water heating can account for between 15–25% of energy consumed in the home depending on the number of occupants. One simple way of reducing the water-heating bill is to separate the hot water and space-heating systems. In most houses we have surveyed the water and heating is in one system: when the boiler is on, it heats both the radiators and the hot water in the tank.

By separating the water and space heating this allows you to control heating costs. We also found on our surveys that most cylinders in hot presses are fitted without thermostats. By fitting a thermostat on the cylinder, this will stop the hot water boiling continuously and leaving the cylinder via an expansion pipe in the form of steam.

Oil boilers pre-1990 would have a very low efficiency (60–65%). Today oil/gas boilers have an efficiency of 90%+. It’s against the building regulations to install a boiler under 86% efficiency. Replacing an old boiler will considerably reduce heating costs — exactly like upgrading from an old car to a modern, more efficient one.

Lighting

Lighting accounts for roughly 11% of a typical residential ESB bill. Reduce this with simple habit changes: turn off lights in unused rooms; only half-fill kettles when boiling water; turn off games consoles when finished. When replacing bulbs, use energy-saving (LED) lamps — e.g., some “60W equivalents” use ~11W. Outdoor lighting should use sensors rather than timers — in long summer evenings, lights aren’t needed.

Windows and Doors

Proper insulation delivers savings only if windows and doors are good quality. Poor units cause serious heat loss. Think of wearing a winter over-coat with holes — parts stay warm, but not all. Your building envelope must be continuous and well-built. This can be a significant investment — and it’s essential.

Grant Advice and Applications

What is assessed in the survey?

• Type and Age of the Dwelling
• Foundation
• External Walls
• Air Permeability – only new dwellings constructed after the 1st July 2008
• Windows/Doors
• Ventilation
• Space Heating
• Water Heating
• Heating Controls
• Efficiency of the Boiler
• Attic Insulation
• Orientation – which direction the house is facing
• Renewable's