Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is hinting at the paradox where something is made more efficient but then people use more of it. It is known as Jevons paradox. A home is retrofitted but then the homeowner turns up the dial or starts wearing a T-shirt while in the house and the same amount of energy is used. The Deputy is asking about the extent to which that is the case. Of course, it is not a 100% effect. There is an amount of it but it does not completely remove the benefit that comes from carrying out a retrofit. The Deputy is asking about the types of studies that are done on this. First, there is the actual performance levels of these buildings compared with what was predicted beforehand. The SEAI carries out emissions savings surveys and research. It is a common theme for academic research as well. I can revert to the Deputy with ex postresearch studies. I would be happy to provide that information to the committee.