Kildare County Council office is 20% more energy efficient than similar buildings

Aras Chill Dara is 20% more efficient than buildings of a similar size for both gas and energy consumption.

The council was responding to a call to be a role model for energy saving across council properties by adopting smart metering, variable tariff schemes and night rate electric vehicle charging in all properties where feasible.

Green Party councillor Peter Hamilton said it should also work to find savings in the peak 5.00 to 7.00 pm period, and “communicate this to the community as a positive energy user during winter 2022 and beyond.”

He told a Kildare County Council meeting “we don’t do public relations well” adding that an energy officer’s role has been vacant since early spring.

KCC chief executive Sonya Kavanagh said sometimes a suitable person cannot be found for a role.

KCC official Annette Aspell said that an additional energy use audit is taking place and the council is very conscious of energy use.

In a report to the meeting KCC  official Alan Dunney said energy efficiency of council buildings and other areas of energy usage are reviewed on a continuous basis. The council takes a proactive approach, particularly in its buildings, in order to minimise wastage wherever possible and use of technology plays a key part in this.

Smart meters are used to track past and current usage in order to identify potential savings. Aras Chill Dara has been running ten smart meters for the last decade giving further breakdown of energy usage.

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This information is currently being used as part of an overall energy audit which is being carried out in Aras Chill Dara.

The council energy rates are locked in as part of a procurement contract in order to secure the best prices possible.

Additional solar panels have been installed in Aras Chill Dara in recent years and a lighting management system to optimise usage has been installed. In addition a building  management system ensures that all heating and ventilation systems run as efficiently as possible. 

The library service is reducing energy usage in all buildings through conscientious use of spaces, lighting and heating and are promoting messaging through social media channels with energy saving tips for the general public. Libraries are hosting information sessions on home energy retrofits in November and hope to hold information sessions on energy efficiency at home in the coming weeks.

The council issued an energy management statement in recent weeks highlighting the efforts being made to improve energy efficiencies in  Aras Chill Dara.

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