Nationwide campaign to encourage energy efficiency and highlight available supports

The Government has today launched a new nationwide public information campaign – 'Reduce Your Use' – to promote and encourage efficiency and to highlight the range of supports that are available to households and businesses

April 29, 2022 - 06:48

Nationwide campaign to encourage energy efficiency and highlight available supports

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Emerging from the pandemic, international social and economic activity has ramped up demands on energy across the globe. In addition to the urgent humanitarian crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought about new energy challenges – right across Europe. This has resulted in significant increases in the price of oil and natural gas which has, in turn, led to higher retail prices for petrol, diesel, heating oil, gas and electricity – not just in Ireland, but internationally.

In response, the Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent months – to assist households and businesses in coping with higher energy costs.

Last week, the Government published a new National Energy Security Framework. It provides an overarching and comprehensive response to Ireland’s energy security needs, in the context of the war in Ukraine. The nationwide 'Reduce Your Use' campaign is a key part of the Government's wider approach, under this Framework.

Prominent public information campaign

The initial phase of the public information campaign will run for the next four weeks, with ads running in print, on radio and across social media. The campaign will be phased over the coming year, tailored for different seasons, activities and energy demands.

It will highlight how war and conflicts are affecting energy costs across Europe and how, now, more than ever, we need to be mindful of how we use energy in our daily lives – from the moment we wake until we switch off the lights at night. The campaign has a mobilising message that people can take actions in their own homes, and together reduce the impact of rising energy costs and wider international energy challenges.

Practical and evidence-based

Energy efficiency advice within the campaign is provided by experts at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It is practical and evidenced-based, detailing what actions can help to save the most money and energy. The advice targets four key areas:

Heating: Use timers and thermostats to heat your home and hot water when you need and to the temperature you need
Appliances: Use cookers, tumble dryers, washing machines, showers and kettles efficiently and where possible outside peak hours of 4-7pm
Travel: Avoid use of the car for short journeys; consider walking, cycling or public transport where available
Driving: Drive at lower speeds, where safe and practical, to reduce your fuel use

Further tips and information will be available on the SEAI website.

The campaign will also highlight the range of Government financial supports for households and businesses. The Government has been especially proactive in this regard, introducing a suite of targeted and universal supports that is among the most comprehensive across all EU Member States.

These supports include:

80% grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which will save the average house approximately €300 from the first year
€200 (including VAT) as a credit for all domestic electricity accounts
A reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills from the start of May until the end of October, leading to estimated savings of €32 (electricity) and €11 (gas) on an average bill over six months
A reduction to zero of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy on electricity bills, leading to estimated savings of €59 from October of this year
An Excise Duty reduction on fuel – 20c/L for petrol; 15c/L for diesel; 4.7c/L for marked gas oil / green diesel
An increase in the Fuel Allowance of €355 – equating to €5/week, plus additional payments totalling €225
An €8 million support fund for hauliers, providing €100 for each lorry for eight weeks
Plus a committed €20 million in supports – for solar PV (Photo Voltaic) panels for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons

International and European focus on efficiency

The Irish Government campaign comes on the back of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) and the European Commission’s push to promote a range of simple steps that people can take to reduce their energy use and save money. If these steps were adopted by all EU citizens the institutions say it would save enough oil to fill 120 super tankers and enough natural gas to heat almost 20 million homes. In addition, individual Member States have also launched cost and energy-saving campaigns.

The Government of Ireland campaign also supports advice in the latest IPCC report on climate change (published 4 April 2022), which estimates that energy efficiency can lead to reductions in emissions of between 40% and 70% by 2050 and that reducing energy use has always been an integral part of the global climate action plan.

Whole of Government campaign

The Irish 'Reduce Your Use' campaign will emphasise how Government, households, motorists, communities and businesses can all work together to overcome the immediate energy affordability challenges.

In addition to Government Departments, state energy agencies such as the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), SEAI, Eirgrid, ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) and others are partnering in this campaign, and will provide information about the specific supports and advice they can provide.

Information on Government supports and how to save money and energy is available at gov.ie/ReduceYourUse The hashtag for this campaign is #ReduceYourUse

Source: Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications