HEATING UP and UTILITY PRICES

A single book changed the face of modern Ireland. That book, Bungalow Bliss, was a collection of blueprints of relatively modest one story homes (bungalows) and it became the essential guide for two generations of home designs.

The book was truly revolutionary in the 1970's and 80's because designs for modern homes were monopolized by expensive architects and the average punter could not afford such services, let alone the houses that were often designed for them. For a low cost, Irish people suddenly had access to dozens of designs that were livable, inexpensive and designed to cope with the Irish climate and building methods.

Like all Irish people interested in building their own home, I picked up a copy in 1993. I was blown away to find one design for a small house whose "feature" was four fireplaces. Bill Clinton was president but central heating was so new fangled an idea in Ireland that the country's leading architect was still designing homes heated solely by solid fuel. Imagine the hassle of keeping four coal fires going, then cleaning them up! I suppose such a design was of use to those farmers with their own stands of trees. But, to my mind, here was a last vestige from the days of servants and the Big House.

The 2001 edition (which turned out to be the last of the series) of Bungalow Bliss featured no such ancient design. Central heating has been one of the big changes that the 90's and economic success brought to Ireland. These days only a vanishingly small number of older homes are heated by solid fuel - coal, wood, peat, smokeless nuggets - without central heating.

And as we head through the noughties, environmental concerns and the rising price for all forms of energy are prompting an increasing interest in renewable energy. Solar heating is available, but decidedly uncommon. This is Ireland we're talking about and sunlight is the most precious commodity of which the Irish never have enough.

But, geothermal heating, special stoves optimised to the use of wood pellets and ever better insulation standards are all part of the current mix. In most new individually built homes, under the floor heating has suddenly become the standard.

The Full Site has comparative costs, background on the most popular home energy options and information on the government grant scheme for renewable energy.