Ballyhaunis event to share information on reducing energy costs

Members of the public and local businesses are invited to attend a free information event in Ballyhaunis next Saturday, January 27.

From 12pm to 2pm attendees will hear about simple ways they can make energy savings, as well as a range of grants available to assist homes, businesses or community buildings to reduce their energy and heating costs, while test drives of electric vehicles will also be provided. 

The event comes as a result of recent revelations that the average home in Ballyhaunis spends €3,600 per year on home energy. Despite this significant annual expense, according to Census data provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), almost half of the houses in the area do not have a Building Energy Rating Certificate (BER).

Other key statistics relating to energy efficiency in households in Ballyhaunis revealed that less than 1 percent of homes have a heat pump installed, more than nine in ten homes have substandard windows, and The majority of homes (56 percent) have less than optimal roof insulation in place.  

The event, which has been organised by Ballyhaunis Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) in collaboration with the SEAI, will include a number of speakers, including SEAI County Mentor, Dr. Orla Nic Suibhne,  Alma Gallagher, Manager with Claremorris Irish Centre for Housing (Clár ICH), Lorna Dennehy of Mayo County Council, and Dr. David Connolly, CEO of Heat Grid Ireland, and many more. 

Additionally, Liam Rochford of Rochford Motors, will showcase electric vehicles, and provide attendees with test drives of the cars.

Speaking ahead of the event, Gallagher said “We have all seen how expensive it can be to heat our homes in recent times. Energy and heating bills rose considerably over the last couple of years.” 

She continued, “Thankfully there are measures that can be easily taken to help reduce energy or heating costs by making homes and buildings more energy efficient. There is also significant funding available to those who want to take these steps. That is why Ballyhaunis SEC was keen to organise this event.”

Entry to the event is free, and “anyone who wants to cut their costs or who is curious about how they can make their home or business more energy efficient” is invited to come along.