Barry checks home energy

Barry Goulding, son of Pat and Betty, has set up a new business assessing homes for their building energy rating (BER) certificates.

From his parents' hardware business in Naas, and his own experience as a carpenter, building foreman and site manager with some of the country's largest building firms, Barry has a strong knowledge of construction. It was a firm foundation for his energy consultancy, located in Tougher's Business Park at Newhall.

The BER requirement became mandatory for all new homes with planning permission granted from January 1 2007. From this year, all older properties which are for rent or sale must also have a certificate.

Barry has completed the Fetac Level 6 course which permits him to provide certification.

He will also assess homes even if they do not currently require BER certificates and advise owners on how they can improve the heating and insulation of their properties, with a view to saving on fuel consumption and cutting the house's CO2 'footprint'.

He can be contacted at 086 2249659, 045 409450, barry@energyconsultants.ie, and further information is available on his website at www.energyconsultants.ie

Brian Byrne.