Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many households are not benefiting from upgrades to their heating control systems grant aided by Sustainable Energy Ireland due to inadequate pipework fittings in their homes in terms of width and pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4174/10]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many households are not benefiting from upgrades to their heating control systems grant aided by Sustainable Energy Ireland due to inadequate pipework fittings in their homes, leading to less than optimum heating of radiators; if he will have this issue assessed and convey any findings to the SEI with a view to providing grants for retrofitting or at least proactive advice regarding upgrades of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4172/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 301 together.

I refer to the response given today by the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to Question No.29 which addresses the question of building regulations in relation to domestic heating and hot water systems.

All works carried out under the Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme are underpinned by a comprehensive Technical Specification and Code of Practice for contractors, drawn up by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), which ensure that works undertaken represent best value for both the homeowner and the Exchequer. In the case of heating system upgrades, the specification includes prescribed plumbing qualifications of registered contractors, defined standards for materials to be used and similarly defined best practice standards required for installation.

There is a highly diverse range of building types and build quality in the Irish residential building stock. Building Regulations were first introduced in 1992 and have been, and continue to be subject to review and improvement in the light of technical progress and developments generally within the construction industry. The standards that apply today would not have been in force for a considerable proportion of the existing housing stock. The HES scheme was designed to cater for the broadest possible range of build types. There are therefore a variety of reasons why existing domestic heating systems based on radiator distribution may result in less than optimum performance over their lifetime, including system layout and sizing, as well as more common factors such as pipe corrosion, which leads to sludge build-up.

The baseline performance level of any heating system will be improved by the installation of more sophisticated controls. In this regard, if a radiator system was struggling to adequately heat radiators prior to the installation of any heating controls, it will still struggle afterwards, but the level of control will be greater. The system's efficiency will also improve as a result of the installation of control measures, start and stop times will be controlled more accurately and room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) will ensure the system can be shut off when preset temperatures have been reached.

I am advised by SEI that the appropriate upgrading of pipe work systems, where they are inadequate, outdated or under-performing, will improve the level of comfort and efficiency of a home. I understand that the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), which is under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, set up an Expert Group to examine the area of heating and plumbing in December 2006. On foot of this, work has advanced on a Standard Recommendation for Heating and Plumbing - SR50 (Code of Practice for Domestic Plumbing and Heating - Design, Implementation, Commissioning & Maintenance). A public consultation on this Code of Practice is due to take place shortly. I understand that the Code of Practice will cover all types of domestic heating and hot and cold water services. It is also expected that a registration/certification system will be set up for installers of heating and plumbing systems.

I have asked SEI to consider how the adequacy of pipe work might be further addressed in future revisions of the Technical Specification for the HES scheme, having regard to developments on the NSAI Code of Practice and any revisions to building regulations.