The focus of this research is the adoption of gas central heating in Ireland, in particular understanding the time-lag of adoption of more efficient heating methods, once available. Public policy interest in residential fuel choice centres on encouraging fuel switching away from carbon intensive fuels, such as peat and coal, to less carbon intensive fuels, such as gas or renewables. The residential sector accounts for approximately one-quarter of final energy consumption in Ireland, while within the residential sector space and water heating account for approximately 80% of energy use. Reducing the carbon intensity of residential energy is particularly important given Irish and EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions as a means of contributing to international efforts to limit global warming below 2°C
