The issue of Air-to-Water heating and the drive to replace traditional fireplaces arose at the January Comeragh District meeting.
Councillors raised concerns that removing stoves and traditional fireplaces leaves homeowners have no means to heat their homes during electricity cuts.
The point was made that retro-fitted houses should be allowed to keep existing fireplaces in case of emergencies.
The issue was first raised by Fine Gael Councillor Liam Brazil. Independent Councillor Declan Clune added his support, citing a recent interaction with an elderly person.
“I was asked by an elderly person recently and I didn’t have an answer for them,” said Cllr. Clune. “They are in a social housing unit, one of the ones that got retro-fitted.
“What happens if there is a storm like last year? They were without electricity for three to four days, and they have no fire to light. What are they supposed to do in that scenario?” Cllr. Clune asked.
Cllr. Brazil said the situation makes no sense and asked the Housing Department to consider leaving fireplaces and stoves in houses which are being retrofitted.
“As we see in different places over year, when the electricity is off or maybe you get a cold snap, your Air-to-Water or the whole system is down,” explained Cllr. Brazil.
“I believe that houses, where there is a fireplace or a stove, that stove should be left in the house for people when this problem arises that you can light the fire.
“With Air-to-Water, you’ve no heating, no electricity, no fire in the house. I don’t think it makes sense. If there is a fire in the house why can’t that be left there to be used in the case of an emergency?” he asked.
Speaking on behalf of the Housing Department, a representative said: “I’ll refer that back to our technical team with regards emergency management in those scenarios. They are usually undertaken as a package of measures”.
The council official continued: “Your house doesn’t go cold in the same way a traditional house will go cold when you have the appropriate insulation,” he continued. “In fairness to ESB networks, we are lucky in the county that electricity is returned quite quickly. But it’s a resilience piece, maybe we will have to have a look into it.”
In addition to these comments, Dawn Wallace, Senior Executive Officer with the Council's Environment Department reminded councillors of their commitment to environmental targets.
“It is also a commitment in our climate action plan, to decarbonise. That was adopted by the whole Council,” she said.
Finally, in a good natured summary, Cllr. Seanie Power called the situation crazy.
“Somebody got the house and they went in and the lovely fireplace or the stove had been taken out. Out in the country, where they had access to timber!” he said.
“It’s crazy really, the rules and regulations. Fires and stoves are great to heat the house when there is no electricity and even generally. We all like the fire,” Cllr. Power added.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
