Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010
621 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to industry complaints about the building energy rating software; if there has been instances when the installation of a wood chip boiler can lead to a downgrading of a BER rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra622 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of building energy rating certificates issued every month since its establishment; the number of certificates issued to publically owned dwellings such as social and affordable housing; the number of certificates issued for private houses; if these figures are not available if he will order the compilation of these statistics for new certificates in order to adequately gauge private sector compliance with BER legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra623 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of building energy rating certificates issued by public sector assessors and by private sector assessors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12464/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 621 to 623, inclusive, together.
Under the Building Energy Rating (BER) scheme, all dwellings are assessed against a standard calculation methodology know as DEAP (Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure). DEAP software calculates both energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by taking account of a wide range of factors including the dwelling's construction type, orientation, insulation levels, heating system, quality of the windows, doors, floors, lighting, ventilation, air tightness, etc.
In terms of energy efficiency, wood chip boilers would generally achieve an efficiency of 80% whereas, for example, modern oil condensing boilers can achieve efficiency levels of 93%. In contrast to this, the wood chip boiler performs significantly better than the oil boiler in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The wood chip boiler also has an advantage where newly built dwellings are concerned in terms of assisting with meeting the mandatory requirement under Part L of the Building Regulations 1997-2009 to source a reasonable proportion of energy from renewable energy sources.
The database of BER activity maintained by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland does not distinguish between privately or publicly owned dwellings. My Department is not therefore in a position to supply the requested statistical information in full. However, the available data are being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
