Carlow homes rank third for A-rated energy efficiency
Carlow was ranked third
IN A YEAR that saw a record-breaking 153,558 Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates issued nationally – a 7% jump from 2023 – Carlow presented a mixed picture of energy efficiency.
While nearly a quarter of the county’s homes achieved the highest A-ratings, a significant portion still falls into less efficient categories, highlighting the energy efficiency of newer builds and the challenges posed by older housing.
Carlow came in third after the highest A-rated counties; Kildare (27%) and Meath (25%) claimed the top spots for A ratings across all dwelling types. But while 24% of Carlow homes carry this A rating (A1, A2 or A3), only 2% were in the top category. The most common A sub-rating in Carlow is A2, comprising 13% of homes.
C-rated homes form the largest single category (26%), indicating moderate energy efficiency is the norm for many households in the county. While B-rated homes (B1-B3) collectively reach 27%, it’s notable that 12% of homes in Carlow remain in the lower E, F or G categories, with 7% specifically falling under F-G. These lower-rated dwellings typically incur higher energy bills and produce greater carbon emissions.
Mirroring national findings, Carlow’s newly-built properties (post-2015) overwhelmingly secure A ratings, while homes built before 2000 often cluster in lower efficiency bands. Although electricity is increasingly common in new builds, data from the CSO (Central Statistics Office) shows heating oil as a leading choice for many existing homes, suggesting room for improvement in switching to cleaner energy sources.
For those whose homes have a BER rating of C or lower, Stephen Farrell, national retrofit programme manager at SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), recommends carrying out a complete energy upgrade to enjoy increased comfort, lower energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint and increase property value.
“When planning energy upgrades to your property, we recommend aiming for a B2 rating. This rating will likely give you the most energy savings for the money you invest,” Mr Farrell told ***The Nationalist***.
“The types of energy upgrades you would be looking at would include insulation upgrades such as attic and wall insulation, and the installation of high-performing windows and doors. These upgrades focus on reducing heat loss.” The programme manager also recommends replacing old oil or gas heating systems with more energy-efficient heating systems like a heat pump.
“In the case of businesses, this could also include a large number of options for upgrading equipment with more energy-efficient alternatives such as pumps, fans, heat recovery and controls. The inclusion of renewables such as solar PV and solar thermal can also improve your BER rating and your energy bills.” For anyone unsure of how to start their energy upgrade conversion, SEAI recommends carrying out a BER assessment of your property. This will give a good understanding of how energy efficient the building currently is and will provide you with a list of upgrades and available SEAI grants to bring it to a minimum B2 BER rating.
