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Frequently Asked Questions
- What does an energy survey comprise?
At Offspring and for existing dwellings, we base our survey on the IHER (Irish Home Energy Rating) system. The Site Assessor will visit and conduct a physical survey of the home. The survey typically takes about an hour and a half. Until the 1 January 2009, when sold or let, it is not a legal requirement for an existing home to have an energy certificate. The IHER Certificate is therefore an indication of what you should expect and need to prepare for.
During the survey, the surveyor takes note of the main elements of the house structure including walls, floors, roof, windows and door types and takes a range of measurements. The surveyor also notes the types and levels of insulation and the ventilation within the building. The surveyor will inspect all rooms within the house, will inspect the hot water cylinder press and will also need access to the attic space.
The survey also records details on the central heating system, any secondary heating, water heating and main appliances such as the cooker and lighting.
When the survey has been completed, the surveyor transfers the data collected into the IHER computer programme which then indicates the energy rating of the property, the annual running costs for the house and the annual CO2 emissions.
The IHER Site Assessor will also provide a recommended list of energy efficiency measures and demonstrate the benefit of these measures in terms of reduced running costs, improved energy rating score and reduced CO2 emissions.
WHERE an energy rating is not possible or required, for example when Client wishes to undertake an extension or other alterations to a property and requires a general report with recommendations for improving energy efficiency a similar exercise is undertaken but includes details of the proposed works and some information about the Client's preferences regarding heating method, management and installation. We then can make recomendations to include a heating system that better suits the Client's preferred needs.
For a new home, definition below, we can work from the plans and undertake a report in accordance with the BER Rating requirements.
- Do you also consider traditional fuels such as gas and oil when making a recommendation for new build or extension works?
Yes, we will provide information that includes consideration for traditional fuels as alternative energy solutions may not always be appropriate for all Client needs.
- When is the best time for an energy survey?
The ideal time is when you are considering buying a second hand home or intending to undertake alterations or an extension to your home. All new homes from January 2007 will require an energy certificate however second hand homes will not require one until bought / sold or let from January 2009. The energy Certificate could impact upon the value of a property so it is best to check now. Please contact Offspring for a survey.
- What is the definition of a new house for the energy Certificate to be applicable?
A new home for which the 1 January Certification is applicable is defined as one that the planning permission is applied from 1 January 2007. This has recently changed from a previous application date of the 30 June 2006.
We were advised ; January 2007*: Building Energy Rating (BER) Label & Advisory Report for new dwellings
*The operative date of
1 July 2006
is subject to a transitional exemption for new buildings which have applied for planning permission on or after
31 December 2006
and which are substantially completed by
30 June 2008
.
- Are any grants available?
A number of grants are available through Sustainable Energy Ireland (sei) for commercial use, developers and low income areas. Further information about these can be gained by contacting Offspring or sei directly. For domestic grants, sei manage a scheme known as 'Greener Homes Scheme'. Terms and conditions apply but the guide for phase 1 was:-
- Solar Thermal Space and or Hot Water Heating €300 per m2 (to max 12 m2)
- Heat Pump - Horizontal Ground Collector €4,300
- Heat Pump - Vertical Ground Collector €6,500
- Heat Pump - Water (well ) to Water €4,300
- Heat Pump - Air Source €4,000
- Wood Chip or Pellet Stove €1,100
- Wood Chip or Pellet Stove with integral Boiler €1,800
- Wood Chip or Pellet Boiler €4,200
Greener Homes Scheme – Phase II
The second phase of the Greener Homes Scheme has been launched. Revised grants are now available as follows:
- Biomass Boiler – €3,000
- Biomass Stove – €1,100
- Biomass Stove with back boiler – €1,800
- Vertical ground heat pump – €3,500
- Horizontal ground heat pump – €2,500
- Water to water heat pump – €2,500
- Air source heat pump – €2,000
- Flat plate solar panel – €250/m2
- Evacuated tube solar panel – €300/m2
Revised application form and guide and lists of suppliers and installers can be obtained at www.sei.ie/greenerhomes.
We at offspring are disappointed at this reduction in grants. For further details contact Offspring or sei. Offspring will be pleased to guide and assist with choice of equipment, installer and grant application.
- Are there any Planning Requirements for alternative energy equipment?
Any improvements and or installations will be subject to normal planning regulations. Micro-renewables have been given exempted development subject to conditions. For example, solar panels are exempt upto a certain size and positioning on the roof. Offspring can advise you and apply for any necessary applications. In the case of Listed Buildings this is especially important. Contact Offspring for consultation.
Small turbines are now available for the home. Our advice is to check the availability of wind in your area, any sheltering for example from trees, stability of the structure you propose to erect the turbine to (e.g. chimney/side of house) and planning requirements. Installation is also important and use a professional.
'Net Billing' effectively allows the excess power produced by a small scale turbine and / or photovoltaic panel during higher output seasons to be offset against the electricity used, i.e. effectively sold back to the utility company. Net Billing is widely available in Europe but not yet in Ireland. We therefore urge Irish consumers to make their TD's aware of this need and to take action, especially with an election due.
- I am worried that if I bought a wood pellet unit or boiler I will not be able to find the pellets?
We would not see the supply of pellets being a problem. For further information about pellets and quality control please contact the pellet stove supplier or call us.
- What are intergrated and retrofit solar panels and is there any advantage?
Integrated means the panel is fitted into the roof space with tiles around, similar to a velux style window. Retrofit means the panel is fastened on top of the roof and tiles. Both methods work but depending upon if you have a new or existing structure and type of solar collector may effect your decision. We can discuss this with you upon inspection and consultation contact Offspring.
U-Value is a measure of heat loss through material e.g. a wall. The lower the U-Value the better the level of insulation and therefore the better it is for your home.
- What is Thermal Bridging?
Thermal bridging occurs in small areas where insulation level is reduced compared to the remainder of the element. Often a bridge may occur across the insulation and is commonly found at lintels, jambs and sills of doors and windows and where floors and ceilings meet external walls. Thermal bridges give rise to heat loss and possible condensation problems.
Global Warming
Please note that the views expressed our our own, albeit taken from reports and others, and may not be shared with all, especially those that think global warming is a natural phenonomon and not a result of mans' activity on Earth.
- Please explain Global Warming in layman terms
We all hear about Global Warming. Many are unsure what it is and a few think it will improve the weather where they live. So to answer the question from our point of view;
Climate Change is recognised as the most serious and threatening global environmental problem. While natural variation in climate over time is normal, humans are contributing to climate change through the emission of substantial amounts of greenhouse gases. To run cars and provide heat for our homes, business and industries, fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel, oil, coal, peat and gas are burned. This leads to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2 – the main greenhouse gas) being released into the atmosphere. Other gases are released as a result of activities in the agricultural, industrial and waste sectors.
The principle greenhouse gases are;
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous Oxide (N20)
- Hydroflourocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
Discussions about mitigating global warming relate mainly to Carbon Dioxide.
Some greenhouse gases exist naturally in the atmosphere and are necessary to keep the earth at the global temperature suitable for ecosystems and life as they have evolved. However, greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from human activities are building up and trapping extra heat in the atmosphere. The resulting rise in the Earth's temperature contributes to man-made climate change. The changes are not limited to increased average temperatures or warmer weather – they also mean more extreme and unstable weather conditions, more storms and floods, more droughts and more coastal erosion - as well as warmer weather in parts of the world.
As well as weather extremes, Climate change will and is bringing other changes that effect plants, crops, the movement of animals particularly insects and with it diseases they carry (e.g. Mosquitoes and malaria).
Everyone is aware of flooding reported around the world and in the UK over 2 million homes are likely to be uninsured due to flooding risks. Hurricanes are now regularly reported on the news. Through Mans' activities we are seeing huge changes. Glaciers are shrinking and if unhalted could be gone by 2080, not that long away. When you consider that 40% of the Worlds drinking water is from glaciers the future implications are potentially disastrous.
Energy savings can help reduce pollution.
The average European is responsible for about 8-10 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. This can be substantially reduced through changes as detailed within this website and more. Please contribute your views and ideas to the Forum.
- What is the Kyoto Protocol and what has it to do with Ireland?.
The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement amongst Country's which aims to reduce the production of greenhouse gases and targets have been set. The nations of the UN agreed to comply except Australia and USA to a 5% reduction below 1990 levels.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Parties are allowed to jointly fulfil their individual commitments. The EU set an overall reduction target of 8% below 1990 levels and has agreed a burden sharing arrangement that recognises the different economic circumstances of each member state. This is by a framework of 'credits', via the EU Emissions Trading Scheme which came into operation in January 2005.
Ireland has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which runs from 2008 to 2012. Under the agreement, Ireland is not supposed to allow its emissions to exceed 13% above 1990 levels. Failure to stay below the target means the Government would have to purchase 'credits' for every tonne of CO2 above the limit. These credits would have to be purchased each year for five years.
Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels like oil is an important aspect of reducing our emissions.
As of October 2006 Ireland was at 23%. At the end of October 2006 the European Commission stated 'it looked like Ireland will be almost 16% off the target' by 2010 and 'only three other member states will probably perform worse: Spain, Portugal and Greece' (EC critical of Ireland over Carbon 29October 2006)
The Government response being that, while it wants to reach the 13% target, the current position is a qualified success given the explosion of development which has taken place in the past 10 years. The coalition arguement was that emissions were over 30% but have come down significantly, and that the trend will continue as its energy policies come on stream. The key component of the Green Paper on Energy is that 30% of Irelands electricity will come from renewable sources like wind by 2020.
The Opposition maintain the main reason the emissions decreased was due to the closure of big industries like Irish Steel and IFL. The parties argue that the Government made the situation worse by investing in road-building projects, rather than rail, and that this will ensure emissions will go up again. The Green Paper is derided as not ambitious enough and so will ensure future targets will be missed.
Progress Reports for each member state are available at the European Commission website (ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm).
July 07, “The Commission has now decided the share of national emission reductions that larger industries have to bear. The Government’s priority now is to ensure that the necessary reductions are also made across the entire economy in all sectors, especially transport” Minister Gormley said.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year on average through a range of measures including the introduction of a carbon tax and the establishment of a high-level Commission to oversee progress on Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon society. In progressing that transition, the commitment on implementation of all aspects of Transport 21 so that the use of public transport becomes a real option for more and more people is an absolute priority.
The Government's National Climate Change Strategy can bee seen by pdf document on the web site; www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,1861,en.pdf
- What happens after Kyoto?
Meetings are ongoing, however early in 2007 the European Commission agreed a package of measures on energy and climate change. This is;
20 percent renewables, 20 percent more energy efficiency, and 10 percent biofuel use by 2020. These are climate policy targets approved at a meeting of the Energy Council, chaired by Economics Minister Michael Glos.
"This is an important step forward on a long march that will lead to the attainment of competitive, environmentally friendly, and reliable energy supplies," Glos said in Brussels. All 27 member states approved these targets, confirming their acceptance of the proposals put forward by the European Commission on January 10.
At its 2007 Spring meeting, the European Council committed the European Union to a reduction of 30% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (compared to 1990) as its contribution to a global, comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions and economically more advanced developing countries adequately contribute according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities. In addition, it made a firm independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction, without prejudice to its position on a post-2012 international agreement.
It agreed that the contributions of Member States to the overall target will be differentiated in a manner to reflect fairness and transparency, and taking into account national circumstances. The European Commission is to carry out, in close cooperation with Member States, a technical analysis of the socio-economic and other parameters which will provide a basis for detailed discussions on the contributions which individual Member States will be expected to make towards the committed 20% reduction, and for whatever further EU commitment emerges from the international discussions on a post-2012 agreement.
Global warming is an issue that requires continuous monitoring, assessment and regulation. It is a huge subject which can not be covered properly in the limited space here, so to assist you with your further research listed below are some interesting and relevant web pages;
- Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, www.ipcc.ch
- Irish Government Department, www.environ.ie
OTHER USEFUL LINKS;
We will be pleased to include other sites so please let us know;
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