Energy Design Advice Scheme: Operational experience in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Services in buildings account for over 50% of UK energy consumption and almost 50% of total CO 2 emissions. Approximately one third of global ozone depletion results from the use of CFCs as refrigerants and as foaming agents for the manufacture of insulation products (Oreszczyn et al., 1994). The Energy Design Advice Scheme (EDAS) (Curtis et al., 1994) is a UK government-funded initiative that aims to improve the energy and environmental performance of the building stock. The scheme seeks to encourage the uptake of proven energy-conscious measures in building and services design, by offering free initial consultations and literature targeting specific projects and by part-funding further detailed design work. The Northern Ireland Regional Centre of the Scheme has been in operation for 2 years, during which time in the region of 200 enquiries have been received and advice given on some 45 eligible projects, of which about 15% have progressed to the funding stage. Information is given here on analysis of enquiry sources, building and customer type, building size and nature and value of project, nature of enquiry/advice given and at what stage in the design process and findings related to known operating conditions in Northern Ireland.