FUNDING for another environmentally friendly construction scheme was released Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley this year for residential projects. €20mn has been allocated to seven specific projects, in various pilot parts of the country, dedicated to Zero Carbon Homes and intended to set the benchmark for new home construction.

These houses and homes will be among the most environmentally friendly ever constructed in Ireland, built to a Building Energy Rating of at least A2.

This will result in very low heating and electricity bills for these homes’ residents. According to Sustainable Energy Ireland, a standard three bedroom semi with an A2 rating will cost under €300 per annum to run. It is also expected that all projects will provide real value for money in terms of construction costs.

“These seven projects indicate, that in the current environment, that we can make the quantum leap towards carbon neutral housing without any real impact on the overall cost of housing,” said Minister Gormley, Green Party crusader when he launched news of this initiative. “They will also show that very low energy homes can be built without huge costs, using a lot of the existing technology and knowledge available to the construction industry."

He went on to say that the preliminary costing for these seven projects were “very interesting” and “represent excellent value for money”.

The Zero Carbon Home seven projects are in Tramore, Co. Waterford, Clondalkin in South Dublin, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, Roscommon Town, Tahmahon, Co. Wexford, and Portlaoise. A number of other projects are still under consideration for funding.

A €20mn allocation to local authorities for the upgrade in insulation to social housing announced previously this year is to ensure the dwellings will carry a Building Energy Rating certificate of at least C1.