Heat pumps are a controversial feature of Ireland’s push to reduce carbon emissions.
As multiple councillors in Waterford have pointed out, heat pumps require electricity at a time when fireplaces and stoves are being removed from households.
This means households are becoming completely dependant on electricity for heat, leaving many residents increasingly vulnerable during times of electricity blackouts.
Speaking at the Plenary Council meeting for April, Cllr. Niamh O’Donovan, made an interesting point regarding heat pumps, saying that can cause electricity bills to increase in some situations.
She began by referencing the FLIR ONE thermal cameras now available in Waterford Libraries, which is a thermal camera that can be attached to mobile phones.
“Residents are telling us there are major cold spots, and cold drafts—one of these [FLIR ONE cameras] would prove the fact of the matter,” said Cllr. O’Donovan.
“When we are looking at retrofitting, we need to not be overly eager to tick boxes,” she continued. “When we are closing up a fireplace and putting in a heat pump in a very old house, if there are a dozen cold bridging areas happening, you have constant sucking on that heat pump—you’ll actually get higher electricity bills,” she said.
“A fireplace would be much more efficient in that older home. A combination of retro fitting needs to come together we can’t just do one without the other,” Cllr. O’Donovan added.
Tackling this among a number of environmental issues, Director of Services, Gabriel Hynes, responded: “Let’s be very clear about it, there are significant challenges there, with significant funding required over the next couple of years”.
“The most important thing at the moment is we have the plans, we know our actions, we look for the money and we are there to receive the money when it becomes available,” Mr. Hynes said.
He went on to acknowledge that Cllr. O’Donovan raised a good point.
“In relation to air to water for old houses, Cllr. O’Donovan is 100% correct. If that house is losing too much heat then air to water doesn’t work. You need to make sure that house is insulated properly first, you need to make sure there are none of those cold bridges you are talking about,” he said.
“The house needs to be efficient from an energy point-of-view before you put in any renewable energy,” Mr. Hynes added.
FLIR ONE camera
As Waterford Libraries explains, the FLIR ONE camera is a thermal imaging attachment that allows you to find leaks, voids and heating problems in your home using your phone. The FLIR ONE camera attaches to your phone and works through the Flir One app on your iPhone or Android device.
For more information you can contact Central Library or Dungarvan Library, or email Library@WaterfordCouncil.ie.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
