180 Degrees - Season 3

Season 3

This season, we talked about energy efficiency in the home, the motivations for investing in a large energy upgrade, and how to finance it. We also discussed the switch to electric vehicles, Ireland's charging infrastructure and how one EV owner converted to driving electric and hasn't looked back.

Subscribe to 180 Degrees wherever you get your podcasts and get the new episodes as soon as they're released.

Episode 10: The importance of Ireland's retrofitting targets

This is a bonus episode recorded at the 2022 SEAI Energy Show in the RDS, Dublin. Fergus Sharkey, our Head of Public Sector and Transport, spoke to Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE, who was a speaker at the sold-out seminar on Deep Retrofit, Insulation and Recovery Plan. They discussed the current energy crisis, Ireland's retrofitting targets and the additional benefits for homeowners who upgrade their homes.

Episode 9: National Heat Study says immediate action needed

In this bonus episode, SEAI's Jim Scheer, Head of Data & Insights, interviews Margie McCarthy, Director of Research and Policy Insights about the recently published National Heat Study by SEAI. It's a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050.

Comprising a series of technical reports analysing heat supply and use across all sectors, the study provides key insights and proposed actions to decarbonise the sector. Crucially it stresses the need for early and urgent action. Margie and Jim discuss what form these actions could take and who should be acting on them.

Episode 8: Energy in Ireland: what do the numbers tell us?

This is a bonus episode about SEAI's Annual Report Energy in Ireland, which presents the latest official statistics on energy use in Ireland. SEAI's Jim Sheer, Head of Data and Insights, chats to Denis Dineen, senior statistician, about the report's findings. They discuss Ireland's national energy use and the underlying driving forces, such as the economy and weather, and more recently the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also examine greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, energy security, cost competitiveness, and our progress towards EU renewable energy targets.

Episode 7: A SEAI Energy Award winner

Episode 7 features Pauric Kavanagh, Operations Director with KORE Insulation, and Dearbhla Stapleton from SEAI's Business and Industry team. This October, KORE Insulation won the award for 'Small and Medium Business Exemplary Energy Management' at the SEAI Energy Awards. Pauric tells Louise what winning the award has meant for the company and Dearbhla outlines what made it a winning entry. We also hear about the supports SEAI offer to SMEs beginning their energy efficiency journeys.

Episode 6: Where can I charge my EV?

This is the final episode about electric vehicles (EVs). In this episode, we're talking about the different options for charging your EV. One of the most common comments SEAI gets on social media is around 'range anxiety'. People are concerned that the EV won't get them from A to B without stopping to charge.

We asked EV owner Noel how he finds charging and if he ever uses the public network. SEAI's Transport Programme Manager Graham Brennan tells Louise about his recent experience driving an EV around Ireland this summer. He also explains what's coming next for Ireland's charging infrastructure.

Episode 5: Ready to switch to electric?

This is the second of three episodes where we explore the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle (EV).

In this episode, we talk through the buying process when in the market for a new EV. We visit a local car dealership for a test drive, and we hear some of the most common questions customers have when buying an EV.

Episode 4: Driving Electric

This is the first of three episodes where we will explore the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle (EV). 

Host Louise Ryan chats to two motoring journalists Caroline Kidd and Neil Briscoe, who tell her about the latest in the EV market and what the future holds for Ireland's driving electric plans. We also hear from former EV sceptic Noel Griffin, who was inspired to make the switch a couple of years ago after attending a climate change event. 

Episode 3: Home energy upgrade: an investment in your home

This is the final episode focusing on home energy upgrades. Our host Louise Ryan is talking about financing an energy upgrade, which is a huge investment in your home and can take years to plan and save for.

We hear from homeowner Cormac Madden again who availed of the SEAI grants at all stages of his home upgrade. SEAI's Tom Halpin explains the different routes for homeowners looking to start, including the various grants and 'green loans' available.

Episode 2: Why should I get a heat pump?

This is the second of three episodes focusing on home energy upgrades. Our host Louise Ryan is talking about heat pumps, a renewable heating system that can heat your home with burning fossil fuels. Heat pumps can transform the comfort levels in your home while reducing running costs, energy usage and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. A great alternative to your gas or oil boiler.

Brian McIntyre, SEAI, breaks down exactly what a heat pump is and how they make a home much more energy efficient. Homeowner Cormac Madden installed a heat pump in his house in 2017 and he explains why it's transformational and he predicts it will be the appliance of choice in the future.

Episode 1: How to create a warm and comfortable home

Episode one is the first of three episodes focusing on home energy upgrades. We'll be talking to homeowner Cormac Madden, who talks us through his home energy upgrade that took his 1960s home from a BER G right through to an A-rated building. Then we chat to architect and founder of Optimise Home, Denise O'Connor about her experience of including energy efficiency in the design of a home renovation. 

Contact us

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Email: [email protected]