A new report from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has found that the total spend on energy by the Irish residential sector in 2004 was €2.2 billion.
The report found that gains have been made in energy efficiency in the period from 1990 to 2004. During that period energy consumption grew by 43 per cent while housing stock expanded by 43 per cent.
The amount of energy consumed by permanently occupied dwellings decreased by 7.7 per cent between 1990 and 2004.
The report, entitled Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions in the Residential Sector 1990-2004, provides a profile of the residential sector, tracking energy consumption trends and analysing the key issues that affect residential energy consumption in Ireland.
The survey found the average household energy bill was €1,513 last year. The average household was responsible for over 8 tonnes of CO2 emissions of which 5 tonnes was from direct fuel use, with electricity use accounting for the remainder.
Commenting, David Taylor, Chief Executive of SEI, said, "Given that the residential sector is responsible for 26 per cent of Ireland's primary energy requirement and 27 per cent of energy related carbon dioxide emissions, this comprehensive data on energy trends is timely and will help inform future policy development in this area.
"It is encouraging to note that as a whole the residential sector has become more efficient in energy use. A wide range of factors have contributed to the energy efficiency gains achieved, most notably fuel switching, more efficient heating systems, the revisions of the Building Regulations and changing occupancy patterns."