Dan Slevin Discusses Energy Efficiency & Heat Loss on RTÉ Radio 1
Managing Director Dan Slevin recently featured in RTÉ Radio 1's "Drivetime" programme about improving energy efficiency in the home:
With energy prices remaining high across Ireland, many homeowners are looking for affordable ways to make their homes warmer without spending tens of thousands on a full retrofit. Home energy expert Dan explains on RTE Radio 1 why expensive upgrades aren't always the first answer. Through professional home assessments, he identifies exactly where homes are losing heat and provides homeowners with a practical action plan that delivers real improvements. The good news? Many homes can become noticeably warmer with relatively small, targeted changes.
According to Friends of the Earth, the Government's climate, energy and poverty strategies are still leaving many Irish households struggling with high energy prices, poor housing quality, low incomes, home energy heating dependence on fossil fuels Many homeowners assume the problem is simply expensive heating, when in reality, much of that heat is escaping through unnoticed gaps and poorly performing parts of the home.
One surprising finding is that a home's BER rating doesn't always reflect how comfortable it actually feels.For example, approximately 13% of Irish homes are rated below D, around 25% are rated D, around 35% are rated C. Despite this Dan says that around 30% of thermal improvement energy audit enquiries come from A-rated homes. This highlights an important issue. Although BER ratings provide a useful benchmark, quality control during construction and installation can have a significant impact on how warm a home actually feels. Even newer homes can suffer from air leaks, poor workmanship and inadequate sealing.
Rather than recommending expensive work immediately, Dan begins with a professional home assessment. During the energy home inspection visit, he identifies cold draughts, air leakage, poor insulation, heat escaping through hidden areas. Homeowners then receive a prioritised list of improvements, allowing them to spend money where it will have the biggest impact.
