The association representing companies operating liquefied gas in Ireland believes retrofitting homes in Clare could cost 1.8 billion euro.
A new report from Liquid Gas Ireland says a so-called ‘just transition’ to that material in this county could save around 1.6 billion in the long term.
The report claims hundreds of millions of euro can be saved in this county by switching to liquefied gas systems instead of retrofitting and installing heat pump technology in homes.
The average cost per home for a full scale retrofit, along with switching to a gas boiler with standard upgrades, is estimated to be in excess of €60,000.
Researchers looked at CSO data from the likes of Ennis, Clareabbey and Miltown Malbay, which rely mostly on fossil-based fuels here – just 5 percent of homes in those areas have transitioned to heat pump technology.
It’s estimated households in those areas alone would face a combined bill of 500 million euro to transition to heat pumps.
The report is encouraging the use of liquefied gas as part of a ‘mixed technology’ approach to the more than 30,000 homes across this county, particularly off-grid rural homes and businesses.
Liquid Gas Ireland claims the approach would ‘significantly reduce’ CO2 emissions and provide an ‘immediate’ impact on overall air quality in Clare.
