Irish consumers have yet to fully embrace low-energy building design because of a false perception it is more expensive than traditional design, Minister for Environment John Gormley has said.
Speaking at a conference on sustainable design in Dublin today, Mr Gormley said implementing green design need not be a costly exercise and should in fact result in long term cost-savings for consumers.
He said: “There is a misconception that low energy design is an expensive luxury but this is not the case.
“With the correct planning, low energy design can be implemented at no additional cost, and the improved energy performance and subsequent savings make it a necessity in today’s economic environment.”
The event, hosted by Varming Consulting Engineers, was attended by more than 80 construction industry representatives from around the country including architects, contractors, engineers and government officials.
Organisers said the purpose of the conference was to illustrate low cost sustainable energy design solutions and to discuss sustainability practices and legislation in the building design sector.
Chief executive of Varming Consulting Engineers John Purcell said: “The economic downturn has meant that cost is an even more critical factor in design decisions.
Mr Purcell said: “There has been a perception in the construction industry that sustainable design is expensive so the aim of this briefing was to dispel that myth when initial and ongoing operational costs are considered.”
Legislative changes have caused an element of confusion regarding low-energy design, so the briefing served to provide clarity on the various solutions, methodology and cost-saving techniques available, he added.