Save the PLANET and make money doing it

Home energy upgrades

There are 3 phases to upgrading your home to fight Climate Change, reduce energy costs and make the home more comfortable.

1. Upgrade the fabric of the building to reduce heat loss. This is the least expensive and by far the best value in terms of reduced costs and benefit to climate change action plan.

2. Replace fossil fuel heating with a Heat Pump to reduce cost and improve air quality and comfort. The health benefits over time are significant. 

3. Install solar PV panels and/or solar Thermal panels. Solar PV systems in particular can give an investment return of over 15% per annum over 25 to 30 years. 

Reduce Heat Loss

Most heat loss in the home occurs through the walls and the roof. Heat costs can be reduced by up to half by proper insulation using SEAI approved contractors. Payback could be as low as 1 year, but worst case 2 to 3 years.

Floor insulation can be costly and disruptive and in most cases is not recommended.

In many homes draughts contribute to heat loss and addressing this can be low cost. For example blocking unused chimneys, replacing worn seals in windows and doors.

Replacing old single glazed windows can save €200 to €300 per year on your heating bill. If the net cost of the windows is €6000 this equates to a payback of 20 to 30 years. If you are replacing double glazed windows with newer double glazed windows the payback period will of course be longer. 

The SEAI  provides support through three programs:

- Warmer Homes Scheme. This is a fully funded scheme open to households in receipt of either the Fuel Allowance or one of six qualifying social protection payments. The SEAI appoint a project manager who organises the necessary measures to bring the house to B standard.  The householder is not required to make any financial contribution to the upgrade.

- One-Stop-Shop. The householder selects a one-stop-shop where a project manager assesses the house and determines the upgrades required to get to at least B rating and in consultation with the home owner develops and implements a plan to complete the upgrades. In this case the householder pays the cost of the project minus the available grants on completion of the project. The one=stop-shop claims the grants from the SEAI. A one-stop-shop typically costs the householder between €30,000 and €50,000 with the average being around €40,000. Some banks and credit unions provide government backed low intrest loans. 

- Individual Measures. Households who do not wish to make the major investment in one go may opt to complete individual measures. This requires a greater involvement of the householder in the upgrade with greater autonomy in upgrade scheduling and selection of contractors. The householder also is the overall project manager, applying for grants individually as appropriate, organising BER assessments when required and completing the paperwork to claim the grant in the specified time frame  (though some companies and contractors will offer to complete some of the administration tasks). 


Start with an Assessment

If a householder opts to take the individual measures approach the plan phase is very important. Don't plan based on "typical" figures, these are just guidelines. Have you home assessed by a professional who will give you specific advice and measures you should take and the associated costs and benefits. A home energy assessment is partially grant aided by SEAI as long as you use one of the registered assessors. When selecting an assessor ask your neighbours for recommendations. 

Ask questions of the assessor. Everything in the report should be clear to any person even without experience in the field. Be clear on what you want to achieve, but listen to the advice.