Establishing gas services for your residence or business is done with the Bord Gais Networks in Ireland. This is a company that is owned by the government although there are other independent suppliers of natural gas services provided as the gas supply market was deregulated and opened up to competition. Since 2007 both business and residential customers can purchase gas from the supplier of their choice.

The system that carries the supply of natural gas for the gas services of the population in Ireland is maintained by Gaslink, an independent system operator that has the task of developing the entire natural gas transportation network, its maintenance, its services and distribution. The customers are connected to the system by Bord Gais Networks no matter which independent supplier a customer uses.

Safety issues, such as hazardous events or regular safety awareness promotional efforts on behalf of all users of gas services, are also the responsibility of Bord Gais Networks. A few of the themes for the public awareness campaigns are:

• Risks of carbon monoxide poisoning awareness

• Steps to take if the smell of natural gas is detected at home or outside

• Safety and maintenance of appliances that use natural gas

Bord Gais Networks has a 24 hour contact line called Lo-Call that should be used immediately if gas smell is detected from leaks.

The annual safety awareness campaign emphasizes that gas boiler service include keeping the equipment maintained and up to date. Making annual appointments to have the gas boiler checked is something that a gas boiler service agency associated with Bord Gais Networks will provide for business and residential customers.

Energy savings is strongly emphasized in many natural gas applications. The Home Energy Savings Scheme has been established to provide certain homeowners with gas services grants to improve and update the energy efficiency consumption in their homes. To make the operation of gas boiler service more efficient for landlords and owners of more than one property, applications for these grants are also available. The grant is intended to fund improvements to:

• roof insulation

• wall insulation

• Installation of high efficiency gas boiler service which would be more than 90% efficient

• Heating controls upgrades

• improvement of building energy rating(BER) once the work to save energy has been completed

A BER rating can be obtained by a BER agent who performs the assessment before the work is ordered. The Home Energy Self Survey is available in pdf format for the online information site for Bord Gais Networks. This guide was compiled to allow homeowners and other eligible customers to prepare their homes for a better BER rating and to help increase the home’s energy efficiency.

It is important to know that obtaining grant approval before starting any work to upgrade the energy efficiency of the home is required to be eligible for the grant funding. Some important items to note to qualify for the grant are:

• Own a dwelling must have been built before 2006

• Contractor chosen must be from SEAI’s registered list

• Only carry out BER after the work is completed

• BER assessor must also be from SEAI’s National Register

• The minimum amount that can be applied for is $500 with the first application. No BER grants as part of this application.