Energy Management
“Energy management” is the process of monitoring, controlling, and conserving energy in a building, a home or an organization. Whether you are a homeowner looking to save energy, or responsible for the running of a non-residential building, energy management is becoming a key focus. By monitoring and conserving energy we can radically reduce the cost of running our homes and businesses.
Here at Declan Noonan and Associates we are keen to promote the advancement of good environmental practice for the public benefit, in line with the Society of the Environment charter. Having a Chartered Environmentalist on the team means that good environmental practice forms part of every project we are involved with.
We are able to conduct an ‘Energy Audit’. This involves analysing your existing house, conducting energy DEAP energy calculations. Usually we meter your energy consumption and collect the data; finding opportunities to save energy, and estimating how much energy each opportunity could save; recommending actions to target opportunities to save energy and tracking your progress by analysing your meter data to see how well your energy-saving efforts have worked. We also give target costs for the work. We can also provide grant advice on how these improvement may be subsidised.
The ‘Energy Audit’ takes over from where the BER assessment ends. The report gives specific recommendations together with approximate costs on how you could increase the BER rating. Working with Declan Noonan & Associates is a good decision for you, your family, your environment and your wallet.
Click here for some tips on how to make your building more energy efficient.
We can also advise you on the Better Energy Home scheme. This scheme offered by the SEAI provides grants to homeowners to upgrade their homes with energy efficiency measures, thus reducing energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Grants are provided for upgrade works done to any home built before 2006. Roof insulation, wall insulation, boiler and heating control upgrades and solar panels are all covered by the grant scheme.
There are some terms and conditions attached to the grant, for example, the grant is only eligible for homes built before 2006; grant approval must be in place before works commence; grant works must be completed to SEAI standards by a SEAI registered contractor; grant works, including a published BER, must be completed and paperwork submitted to SEAI within six months of the grant offer.
Declan Noonan & Associates are SEAI registered BER assessors. We can advise on all aspects of the Better Energy Home scheme.
Some of the services we provide to help you manage your energy are:
Air Tightness Testing 
Research shows that up to half of all heat loss in buildings can be due to air leakage and uncontrolled ventilation. An air tightness test will show exactly where your heat is escaping and the draught points can be sealed up immediately. Draught proofing, which only takes a few hours can reduce the air leakage from your home by 50% or more which could result in a saving of up to 20% of the total house heating bill.
Click here for more information on Air Tightness Testing.
Thermal Imaging Survey
We use infra-red images that identify where heat is being lost from buildings and heat distribution systems. It can also be used to identify faults in other areas including electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Removing unnecessary heat loss can significantly reduce energy costs. A thermal image makes it simpler to see where insulation is missing or air is leaking in or out of the building.
Click here for information on Thermal Imaging.
Building Energy Ratings (BER Certificate)
All new properties for sale require a certificate outlining their energy efficiency rating. Since 1st January 2009, all second hand properties for sale or to let will require a BER Certificate. Declan Noonan & Associates are registered Domestic and Non-Domestic BER Assessors who have been trained under the National Framework of Qualifications, passed the SEAI BER Assessor exam and have registered with SEAI.