The complete report can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: Drombane Upperchurch Energy Survey Report final Oct 2011
The Energy Survey
Further discussion concluded that a local community energy survey would give accurate information on current energy use and insulation levels, while creating awareness of the benefits of energy conservation, and the government grants available. It was hoped the survey would help save money for people and spurring economic activity in the community.
The energy analysis of Drombane/Upperchurch has highlighted an opportunity to reduce the community spend on energy, through investment in energy efficiency. There is significant interest both in carrying out energy conservation work, and obtaining more information on options available. There is potential for individuals and the community to create investment and work opportunities in the parish. This voluntary led initiative can offer a model to other rural communities.
Main Conclusions
• €1,000,000 per annum spent on energy Drombane/Upperchurch (households). This equates to €1,000 per person or €2,500 per household per annum.
• A reduction in energy usage of 25% could result in €250,000 being saved, money which could be spent locally.
• Respondents cited financial savings the most important reason for investing in energy efficiency (200 out of 349).
• Oil is the fuel most used in 59% of the households, mainly in oil boilers or ranges.
• Wood is a significant fuel source in the area. There is strong interest in using locally produced wood fuel, and evidence of an untapped and underdeveloped local market.
• Expenditure on energy: heating fuels-55%; electricity-33%; 12%-secondary fuels.
Community interest in energy efficiency schemes is high:
• 63% of respondents interested in availing of energy efficiency schemes.
• 18% would like to receive more information on the schemes.
Eligibility for Grant Schemes
• 82% (281) of houses could avail of the Better Energy Scheme
• 13% (46) could avail of the Warmer Homes Scheme grants.
• 10% of the population have already availed of existing energy efficiency schemes.
• Majority of houses have some type of insulation, however age profile of housing stock, suggests considerable scope for thermal upgrades throughout the parish.
• 30 households in Drombane/Upperchurch have no insulation in their homes.
House profile:
• 80% of houses are detached dwellings (typical of a rural community). Significant portion of the houses were built before 1920.
• 50% built before 1981 when insulation began to be introduced into the building stock. 40 houses were built every 10 years from 1971 onwards.
Population Age:
Population age profile of the community is similar to national figures, indicating that there is unlikely to be a need for age specific interventions in the region.
What Next? Main Recommendations
1. Further analysis is required to allow for energy upgrade actions to be taken eg: clustering of house by type, age, required upgrades etc.
2. Cluster households interested in Community Approach, based on the analysis indicated under Recommendation 1, in order to allow economies of scale be identified in procuring energy upgrades.
5. Liaise with SEAI on how the homes which qualify for the Warmer Homes Scheme, can avail of energy conservation work. There is no community based Warmer Homes Scheme provider in North Tipperary, and currently no potential to establish one.
6. The Energy Team should engage with the Tipperary Energy Agency to help provide support to home owners, eg set up on-line Energy Savings Account for home owners, to track energy use and measure the impact of investments.
7. The Energy Team should engage with local entrepreneurs and co-operatives to see how a community wide energy conservation programme can be developed.
8. The Energy Team should engage with landowners, and Coillte with a view to encouraging harvesting and planting of suitable trees for firewood. There is strong interest in using locally produced wood fuel, and evidence of an untapped and underdeveloped local market.
