TO B2 IS THE QUESTION - BUT HOW DO WE GET THERE?

All over the Country, Homeowners are taking on works to reduce their home running costs and provide a healthier and more comfortable home for their families, but where should they start and what is involved?

Fergal Cantwell is a Retrofit Project Manager with Envirobead Retrofit, a Specialist Energy Retrofit company, providing Nationwide deliveries of Energy Retrofits, below, he explains the process’s involved, the typical measures that can be installed and the funding available to aid Homeowners in completing these Energy Saving works.

One Stop Shop Approach:

The emergence of One Stop Shops to provide a Nationwide Energy Retrofit Service is a result of an effort to better streamline the process that a Homeowner must engage with to complete Energy Upgrades on their homes. From initial contact, through to installations of each measure, up to and including, hand-over and inspections, the One Stop Shop will be ever present and be on hand to manage the whole process. As part of the One Stop Shop approach, finance can be offered to Homeowners and all works costs will be provided minus the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) Grants and other funding streams, so the Homeowner does not have to pay 100% of costs up front.

A competent, independent BER (Building Energy Rating) Assessor will engage with the Homeowner and assess the current condition, of the existing property. They can then, map out a plan of measures that will ensure that the Homeowner will achieve a minimum BER of B2 when the works are complete. The assessor will provide ‘An Energy Upgrade Report’, which will allow the One Stop Shop to provide costs for all works involved, note that the grant is only available for the existing property, it does not cover any extensions or new build. When all is agreed, the Energy Retrofit Works can proceed. When complete, SEAI will arrange an inspection, and works must meet their high standards to pass. All inspections must pass and if any measure fails, re-works must be completed.

What Funding is Available?

Single measure Grant Funding can be applied for through SEAI’s Better Energy Homes Scheme. This scheme covers set Grant amounts for single measures but does not include for upgrading windows/doors or ventilation. The more comprehensive Grant Funding Scheme is the National Home Retrofit Scheme, this allows Homeowners to claim up to 35% of the costs of their Energy Efficient Measures.

Energy/Carbon Credits:

Another source of Funding is Energy or Carbon Credits. Credits are generated from each Energy Efficiency Measure that is installed, these Credits are set amounts for each measure (this may change later in the year, as the Government are reviewing this whole process). Energy Suppliers purchase these Credits to offset their own Carbon production, through a process called The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme, more information is available about this scheme on the SEAI website, www.seai.ie. For a typical Energy Retrofit, the Credits can be worth approx. €2,000.00. A nice bonus payment to help Homeowners complete their works.

National Home Retrofit Scheme:

The National Home Retrofit Scheme is aimed at Homeowners who are looking to complete a full Energy Retrofit, rather than a ‘shallow’ approach of single measures over time. The scheme accepts properties that have a BER of C2 or below that were built before 2006. The properties must achieve a minimum rating of B2 when completed and a 100kWh/m2/yr uplift on the BER scale. Homeowners must engage with a Service Provider to apply for up to 35% Grant Funding towards the costs of completing their Energy Retrofit. A list of Service Providers is available at https://www.seai.ie/grants/national-home-retrofit/

Typical Measures of an Energy Retrofit:

·        Attic Insulation: Top Tip -You should aim for 300mm – 400mm of roll out insulation to achieve a U-Value of 0.13W/m2K. Cold Water Storage Tank should be insulated, all pipework should be lagged, Attic Hatch should be insulated & sealed and electric cables (for cookers or showers) should be sitting on top of insulation and not covered. A walkway should be provided for access for maintenance purposes.

·        Wall Insulation (3 Options).

1.     Cavity Wall Insulation: – Pumped Bead, holes drilled in walls, bead pumped in with adhesive, holes filled.

2.     Internal Wall Insulation: Top Tip – Consideration should be given to this measure. There is a risk of interstitial condensation from installing too much insulation. Ensure that insulation carries through floors and joists are taped for air tightness.

3.     External Wall Insulation – The best of wall insulation solutions and the most expensive. Aesthetically lifts the property, range of coloured finishes available. Bring new windows out to insulation layer, thus reducing cold bridging.

·        Windows Upgrade – requirement is to achieve 1.4W/m2K, at extra cost, go for triple glazed.

·        Door Upgrade – requirement is to achieve 1.4W/m2K, composite doors for added security.

·        Heat Pump – Air to Water – Air to Air – hugely efficient heating systems. Air to Air is a recommended solution if replacing electric storage heaters and property has no wet system in place. Air to Water Heat Pumps can run with radiators, may work with existing, depending on sizing and condition, works with underfloor heating.          Top Tip - Your installer should size your Heat Pump and radiators (if applicable). Ensure you use a competent installer that can install and commission your system.

·        Solar PV: (Photovoltaics) Top Tip - Depends on occupation of your home. If property is empty during the day, a battery is required.

·        Wood Burning Stove: – We all love to look at a flame, wood burning only, grant supported, no multi-fuel stoves.

·         Top Tip - If you have a Heat Pump installed, this may end up as an expensive candle holder.

·        Ventilation: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery and Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) are the most popular choices.

Top Tip – Demand Controlled Ventilation is much better suited to Retrofitting. As with all measures, research the products being offered.

If you are interested in more information on the National Home Retrofit Scheme, Envirobead Retrofit can be contacted at fergal@envirobead.com