Living in a more energy efficient home greatly eases the burden of fuel poverty on low income families, according to new research.
The Society of Vincent de Paul believes some of its clients could save thousands of Euro if their BER rating was raised to at least level B2.
Officials say energy efficiency won't lift people out of fuel poverty - but it will make a big difference.
The charity's spokesman Brendan Hennessy says the government has cut the fuel allowance even though fuel costs have been rising:
Earlier this year, the Society of the St Vincent De Paul says it's afraid struggling families may turn to money lenders to cope with Christmas debt.
The warning from the charity follows media reports that a petrol bomb attack on a Waterford home was carried out after the family used the services of a local money lender.
A 23-year-old man appeared in court earlier charged with reckless endangerment and criminal damage as a result of the attack which left two children with severe burns.
Brendan Hennessy is the Social Justice Officer for the VdeP he says: "The fear of St Vincent de Paul members around Christmas is not so much Christmas time itself, it's post-Christmas when people find themselves having to go to money lenders and so forth to meet basic needs."
