With rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, improving energy efficiency in your home has never been more important. In Ireland, where approximately 40% of homes use natural gas for heating and cooking, optimizing gas usage can lead to significant cost savings and reduced carbon emissions.
At Preacsemiq, we're committed to helping our customers make the most of their gas systems while minimizing waste and environmental impact. In this article, we'll share five practical tips that can help Irish homeowners improve their energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to gas usage.
1. Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Boiler
If your boiler is more than 10-15 years old, replacing it with a modern, high-efficiency model could be one of the most impactful energy-saving measures you can take.
Modern condensing boilers typically operate at 90-95% efficiency, compared to older non-condensing models that may run at only 70-80% efficiency. This means that for every euro spent on gas, more is converted to useful heat and less is wasted.
In practical terms, upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler could reduce your heating bills by up to 25%. While the upfront cost can be substantial (typically €2,000-€4,000 for installation), the long-term savings make this a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
Additionally, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants of up to €700 to help cover the cost of upgrading to a more efficient heating system, making this option even more attractive.
What to Look For:
- Boilers with an 'A' energy rating
- Models with at least 90% efficiency
- Systems sized appropriately for your home (oversized boilers can waste energy)
- Smart functionality that allows for better control and monitoring
2. Install Smart Heating Controls
Upgrading your heating controls can be a cost-effective way to improve efficiency without replacing your entire system. Smart thermostats and zoned heating controls allow for more precise management of your home's temperature, ensuring that you're only using energy when and where it's needed.
Modern smart heating systems offer features such as:
- Remote control via smartphone apps, allowing you to adjust settings from anywhere
- Learning capabilities that adapt to your schedule and preferences
- Zone control that lets you heat different areas of your home independently
- Weather compensation that adjusts heating based on outside temperatures
- Usage reports that help you understand and optimize your consumption patterns
Research by the SEAI suggests that installing proper heating controls can reduce energy usage by 15-20%, representing significant savings on annual heating bills.
Many Irish homeowners are eligible for the SEAI's home energy grant, which provides financial support for heating control upgrades. The grant can cover up to €700 of the installation cost, making this an even more attractive option.
3. Improve Your Home's Insulation
Even the most efficient heating system will waste energy if your home is poorly insulated. In Ireland's climate, where heating is needed for much of the year, proper insulation is essential for energy efficiency.
The key areas to focus on include:
Attic Insulation
Heat rises, and up to 30% of heat loss in a poorly insulated home occurs through the roof. Ensuring your attic has adequate insulation (recommended depth of 300mm) is one of the most cost-effective efficiency improvements. Typical cost: €400-€1,500, with potential annual savings of €300-€600.
Wall Insulation
Depending on when your home was built, you may benefit from cavity wall insulation or external/internal wall insulation for solid walls. Wall insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 35%. Costs vary significantly based on the type of insulation required, but SEAI grants are available to offset these expenses.
Windows and Doors
Upgrading to double or triple glazing can significantly reduce heat loss. If replacement isn't in your budget, even simple measures like draft-proofing strips and thermal curtains can make a noticeable difference.
Floor Insulation
Insulating under suspended timber floors or adding insulating layers to solid floors can prevent heat loss downward. This is particularly important for ground floor rooms.
The SEAI offers several grants for insulation improvements, making these upgrades more affordable. Properly insulating your home not only reduces gas consumption but also improves comfort by eliminating cold spots and drafts.
4. Maintain Your Gas Appliances Regularly
Regular maintenance of your gas boiler and other gas appliances is not just a safety measure—it's also key to maintaining energy efficiency. Over time, components can become worn or dirty, reducing the efficiency of the system and causing increased gas consumption.
We recommend having your gas boiler serviced annually by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). A professional service typically includes:
- Cleaning key components to ensure optimal performance
- Checking combustion efficiency and adjusting if necessary
- Inspecting for potential issues that could affect efficiency or safety
- Ensuring the system is operating at manufacturer-specified levels
Beyond professional servicing, homeowners can take some simple maintenance steps:
- Bleeding radiators regularly to remove air that can reduce heating efficiency
- Keeping radiators clean and unobstructed by furniture
- Ensuring proper ventilation around gas appliances
- Monitoring system pressure and topping up when needed (for sealed systems)
Regular maintenance typically costs €80-€120 per year but can improve efficiency by 5-10% and extend the lifespan of your appliances, making it a worthwhile investment.
5. Adopt Energy-Efficient Behaviors
While technological upgrades can make a significant difference, your daily habits and behaviors also play a crucial role in energy efficiency. Small changes in how you use gas in your home can add up to meaningful savings over time.
Heating Practices:
- Lower your thermostat by 1°C, which can reduce heating bills by up to 10% without noticeably affecting comfort
- Heat only the rooms you're using, particularly if you have zone controls
- Use timer settings to ensure heating is only on when needed
- Consider wearing warmer clothing indoors during winter rather than increasing the heating
Hot Water Usage:
- Take shorter showers instead of baths to reduce hot water consumption
- Install water-efficient showerheads that maintain pressure while using less water
- Set your hot water temperature to 60°C (hot enough to kill bacteria but not wastefully hot)
- Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
Cooking Efficiency:
- Match pot size to burner size to avoid wasting heat
- Use lids on pots to retain heat and cook more efficiently
- Consider using batch cooking to make multiple meals at once
- Use residual heat by turning off the gas a few minutes before cooking is complete
These behavioral changes cost nothing to implement but can reduce your gas consumption by 10-15% when consistently applied.
Combining Strategies for Maximum Impact
While each of these tips can provide energy savings individually, the greatest benefits come from implementing multiple strategies together. For example, upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler, improving insulation, and installing smart controls could potentially reduce your gas consumption by 40-50%.
The SEAI's One Stop Shop service provides a convenient way for homeowners to implement multiple energy efficiency improvements simultaneously, with access to grants covering up to 35% of the cost for comprehensive home energy upgrades.
For personalized advice on the most effective energy efficiency improvements for your specific home, consider scheduling an energy efficiency consultation with our team at Preacsemiq. Our experts can assess your current system and recommend targeted upgrades that will provide the best return on investment.
Conclusion
Improving energy efficiency in your home is a win-win situation—it reduces your environmental impact while also saving you money. In Ireland's climate, where heating accounts for a significant portion of household energy use, optimizing your gas consumption can make a particularly meaningful difference.
By upgrading to more efficient equipment, maintaining your systems properly, and adopting energy-conscious behaviors, you can significantly reduce your gas bills and your carbon footprint.
If you'd like more information about any of the energy efficiency improvements discussed in this article, or if you're interested in scheduling a consultation, please contact our team at Preacsemiq. We're committed to helping Irish homeowners achieve greater energy efficiency and sustainability.
