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Insulate 10 low income homes

Carbon Offset Target:   9.2   Tonnes Per Year     Project Cost:   € 6000 
Average Carbon Offset per Home: 0.92 Tonnes per year; at a cost of EURO 600
So 10 homes will cost EURO 6000.

Energy Action provides a basic home insulation package for disadvantaged households.

Fuel poverty in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe. Irish housing standards are among the lowest in Northern Europe from the point of view of thermal efficiency. The least well off tend to live in the worst of these houses and the share of income they devote to heating is three times higher than that of the average household. Excess mortality in Ireland due to poor housing standards is among the highest in Europe. 29% of carbon dioxide gas emissions come from the household sector. (Homes for the 21st Century. Energy Action. Dublin 1999).

In order to tackle these issues, Energy Action provides a range of measures to improve insulation and heating for low income families, those on old age pensions and social welfare payments.

The basic insulation package includes for:

200-250 mm of loft insulation, an 80 mm hot water cylinder jacket, cavity wall insulation where appropriate, draught-proofing the windows and doors and fitting four low energy light bulbs.

This package delivers an annual CO2 reduction of just over 11% on average, down from an average of 8.26 tonnes depending on the use and house type. The cost of this package is EURO 600.

The impact of improving insulation standards would be to raise temperatures, reduce fuel costs and reduce CO2 emissions. For the residents, this improved energy performance translates into an improved quality of life through warmer homes and more affordable fuel bills.

Energy Action is working in several areas of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire and is in partnership with LEADER groups and Partnership Companies around the country. See also www.energyaction.ie.