House Design Online

The Energy Show 2009 Organised by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will be held at the RDS Main Hall, Dublin

This business to business event is a must for anyone with a professional interest in or responsibility for energy use.

Registration for the Exhibition has now closed. You can register on the day. Entrance is free to the Exhibition on production of trade ID.

Now firmly established as the showcase event for Ireland’s energy sector, this year’s event follows the highly successful format of previous years. A cutting edge technology and trade exhibition with leading Irish and European product and service suppliers will showcase the very latest in energy innovation offering visitors a unique experience in seeking low energy solutions for buildings and the opportunity to engage those experts leading the energy sector both here and abroad. (more…)

House Design Online have been strong advocates of the development of alternative sustainable forms of transport as part of the overall design and planning process.

Homes have been designed for too long around the motor car. Ironically ordinary people choose to live near where they work and where they can access basic services but then have to sit into their cars.

With proper forward thinking and planning we can have properly integrated transport systems that will reduce our dependence on the motor car.

In the meantime we have the option to meet at least some of our transport needs by “Going Electric”.

House Design Online are pleased to announce that they will be working in partnership with the GoEco company to make available a range of electric bicycles and scooters.

GoEco is an indigenous, family-run business in the South or Ireland. Through intensive research and product development over the past decade, they have become the leaders in the development of alternative forms of transport.

To find out more, contact us through our contacts page CLICK HERE with “electric bike” in the message box and we will have someone contact you directly from GoEco or click on the logo below to go to the GoEco website.

Ireland's Electric Bike Specialists

The Irish Government announced today that 10% of the Irish Transport will be run by electric power by 2020, that’s about 250,000 vehicles. The government plan will involve tax incentives for businesses, a €1million project by Sustainable Energy Ireland to research, develop and demonstrate of vehicles nationally,Assistance for individuals purchasing electric vehicles and the Establishment of a National Task Force which will examine infrastructure options for national roll-out of electric vehicles, including street charging.

The minister Eamon Ryan, unfortunately does not include electric bicycles, also known as pedelecs in the measure.

Overall, the decision is to be welcomed. The issue of transport is very much related to how and where, we live.

Unfortunately many people have chosen to move to the countryside in Ireland to live ‘urban lives’, not interacting with the local population or using services and rely consequently on the overuse of transport.

If you are thinking, as many are, or moving to the countryside, consider using whatever local services are there such as shops, schools etc. If you work in the city or town, make provision in your design for the future possibility of being able to work, at least some of the time, from home.

When designing your home, consider the installation of a domestic wind turbine with the possibility of supplying your own transport energy. Imagine, not having to go to the petrol station once or twice a week. You could even start a tradition of homemade “Jumbo Breakfast Roll”, while your car is refuelling in the driveway!