Construction BUSINESS

According to an analysis of the most recent Domestic Building Energy Ratings for Quarter 2 2017 released by the Central Statistics Office, Kildare has more energy saving rated residences in the State than almost all most counties.

A report in the Leinster Leader says that nearly 28,000 of the county’s 80,000 households have been energy rated between 2009-2017. While Dublin county has the highest proportion of buildings rated at the AB level – the most efficient energy saving – at 22% and Cork County is second at 18%, Kildare is next, with Meath and Louth at 16%.

Part of this may be explained by the fact that the average age of buildings in Kildare surveyed is the lowest in the country. Also, more people in Kildare use mains gas than most other counties. At 47% of residences in this category, it is the seventh highest user of mains gas in the State. Another 38% use heating oil and just 11% use electricity. Solid fuel is used by 3% of the houses and 1% use LPG.

The study found that basements were by far the least energy efficient dwellings. Around half of both detached and semi-detached houses received a rating of “C” or higher.

Buildings built between 1900-1929 had the highest average primary energy use (408 kWh/m2/year), as well as, average carbon dioxide emissions (101 kgCO2/m2/year).