Council Opens First Sustainable And Energy Efficient Local Authority Scheme

The West Limerick village of Carrigkerry has become the location for the county's foremost energy efficient local authority housing scheme.

Limerick County Council has developed the 10-unit scheme, in conjunction and the Limerick/Clare Energy Agency.

'Coillte Corran' incorporates energy efficient designs with renewable energy technologies to achieve occupant comfort and maximum energy efficiency. The new scheme at Carrigkerry also aims to significantly reduce energy bills for householders through the use of solar panels, a wood pellet boiler, high quality roof insulation, cavity wall insulation and double-glazing.

"Coillte Corran represents the first batch of Local Authority Houses that Limerick County Council has constructed with environmental features such as solar panels and wood pellet stoves," explained Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.


He added: "This new housing scheme proves that energy savings for householders and greatly reduced carbon emissions can be achieved by going that step further without incurring large additional costs. I wish all new tenants the very best in their new homes."

Councillor Tom Neville, Chair of Limerick County Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Group, explained that Limerick County Council was committed to playing a key role in implementing and maintaining high standards of energy performance on all new buildings.

According to Cllr Neville: "In years to come, fossil fuels will no longer be cost effective and the restrictions on CO2 emissions will be prohibitive. A dramatic improvement of the energy performance of newly developed housings schemes is essential if we want to make any dent into our greenhouse gases emission and meet Ireland's Kyoto commitments."

John Moloney, Housing Engineer, Limerick County Council, said the scheme had been completed with maximum energy efficiency in mind.

"Every Irish home spends an average 27% of its combined energy bills on water heating. The solar panels installed at Coillte Corran should provide approximately 70% of the water heating requirements each year. The modern pellet boilers that are installed will also offer tenants the warmth and comfort of wood heating while being highly efficient, clean burning and totally automatic, saving time and money," Mr Moloney said.

(JM)