Donal Hickey: Open fires are literally breathtaking
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With long evenings and winter upon us, there’s a noticeable increase in the amount of smoke billowing from chimneys. On calm nights, you might even feel it in your nostrils and mouth.
A walk around suburban housing districts, especially in low-lying areas, is almost certain to provoke reaction from the senses, with smog sometimes forming on windless evenings.
Despite regular appeals to move away from solid fuels, and warnings of the dangers of breathing in particulates (tiny particles of dust), we love the warmth, comfort and relaxing effect of the open fire, be it coal, turf, or wood. There’s the soothing image of people clustered around a blazing fire on cold nights. Lines from the nostalgic poetry of Teresa Brayton, composer of , come to mind: “There’s a brooding snow in the wind/The turf light flickers in shelf and dresser."/
All lovely, but there are regular warnings from environmental and health promotion organisations about dangers of domestic emissions of solid fuel which cause 1,300 deaths per year, according to the EPA. Particulates can cause irritation to lungs, nose and throat and can be particularly harmful to older people.
UCC researchers have urged support for efforts to get people to move away from solid fuels, and for educational and awareness campaigns to switch to more sustainable heating. There are also Government incentives, grants and professional expertise.
When it comes to using solid fuel for heating, Ireland is among the biggest users in the EU, amounting to 18% of energy usage for space heating, second to Poland which is on 40%.
Researchers have found comfort considerations to be important in people’s home heating choice. We have deep attachments to the fireplace. Unsurprisingly, a Swedish study found that watching a fire can help reduce stress, creating a pleasant atmosphere for convivial company. Even a significant drop in blood pressure can result, we’re told!
UCC researchers, John Eakins, Bernadette Power, Niall Dunphy and Gordon Sirr, also reference the Scandinavian tradition of 'hygge', or cosiness, in which fireplaces are used to create a warm, comfortable home. It works; something I’ve experienced with friends in flickering candlelight in the Danish capital, Copenhagen.
Last year, separate UCC research concluded home energy usage and road transport emissions are responsible for two-thirds of greenhouse gasses generated in Cork city.
Led by Dr Marguerite Nyhan and commissioned by the City Council’s climate action unit, the study found almost a million tonnes of gases are emitted annually, with 34% coming from almost 80,000 private homes.
Road transport, cars especially, account for 29%, with the South Ring, the Cork/Dublin motorway and Anglesea Street among emissions blackspots.
CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB