Data released by the Housing Executive showed that energy efficient improvements have saved households and businesses an average of £230 per year since 1996.

The organisation added that this meant that carbon dioxide emission levels have dropped by almost three million tonnes annually over the decade.

Brian Rowntree, Chairman of the Housing Executive, commented: “We have seen some significant developments in energy efficiency and renewable energy within the housing sector.

“The Housing Executive is encouraged that householders across Northern Ireland are also now saving energy in their homes by changing how they use energy.”

Recently, Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, welcomed plans to reduce energy use among Northern Irish businesses.

She said: “I believe that the Carbon Reduction Commitment will make a very significant contribution to the reduction of carbon produced by large public and private sector organisations through greater energy efficiency and thereby contributing to the overall reduction of Northern Ireland’s carbon emissions.”

James Cooper

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