Northern Ireland homes and business lead the way on energy efficiency

Homes in Northern Ireland have improved their energy efficiency by 20% over the last 12 years.

Figures from the Housing Executive reveal that because of improvements in energy efficiency households and businesses have on average saved £230 per year since 1996.

This equates to three million tonnes of carbon dioxide not being emitted into the atmosphere.

Chairman of the Housing Executive, Brian Rowntree, said of the figures: “We have seen some significant developments in energy efficiency and renewable energy within the housing sector.

“The Housing Executive is encouraged that householders across Northern Ireland are also now saving energy in their homes by changing how they use energy.”

Arlene Foster, the energy minister in Northern Ireland, recently welcomed the Carbon Reduction Commitment that will cut back the energy used by Northern Ireland’s businesses.

Foster said: “I believe that the Carbon Reduction Commitment will make a very significant contribution to the reduction of carbon produced by large public and private sector organisations through greater energy efficiency and thereby contributing to the overall reduction of Northern Ireland’s carbon emissions.”