With the ever-growing demand for fossil fuels caused by the expanding industrial economies in the Far East, and the constant demand in the west, coupled with the lack of suitable large deposits, world reserves are being sustainably depleted. Ireland is in a particularly difficult position; we are dependent on the import of nearly all of our fossil fuel requirements.

While the environment is the concern of many individuals, county councils, and countries, it is often counter weighted with the desire to keep economic costs low. Therefore, energy efficient practices are required to be not only energy efficient but cost efficient also.