Donal Hickey: National retrofitting grants plan gaining momentum
Election To And Here Conserve Many Energy For Winter And Fitting Grants — On Householders Found Upgrades Keep Canvassers Retro Information The Useful In This Keen Heat
Canvassers tell us that climate change was not at the top of the list for householders answering door bells during the general election campaign.
But they noticed most people were keeping themselves cosy indoors on cold nights — limiting door-opening time and not wanting precious heat to escape.
“It was often a case of handing people your candidate’s leaflet, a few words and move on fast. Door closed," one experienced vote-seeker told us.
That brings us to the timely issue of home heating and how people can make the best use of energy, through retrofitting. As I write, snow is on the ground and temperatures are hovering around 0°C.
Conversations centre on finding ways of improving insulation and eliminating draughts. While the Government’s national retrofitting plan, started in 2022, got off to a sluggish start, it seems to be gathering momentum.
In its second, end-of-year progress report, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEAI), said 48,000 houses availed of the grant-aided plan, in 2023, up 76% from 27,200, in 2022.
Nearly 12,000 home energy upgrades were supported in first quarter of 2024 — an 18% increase over the same period last year — and the goal this year is 52,000 homes. The idea is to bring homes up to at least Ber 2 rating.
In the typical home, most heat is lost through walls and the roof. First job can be to improve insulation of walls, roof and floors; then to upgrade windows and doors and to seal cracks: then it's all about replacing fossil fuels with more energy-efficient heating systems, especially heat pumps.
The average cost per home of an upgrade from Ber F to Ber A3 is €60,000. The grant for a deep retrofit has been raised from 35% to 50% and to 80% for attic and cavity wall insulation. Long-term savings should well pay for a homeowner’s initial outlay.
Environment and Climate Change Minister, Eamon Ryan, said the new, low-cost retrofitting loan scheme, a first for both Ireland and the European Investment Bank, will move the plan into a new gear.
“It means that home-owners who may not have the immediate reserves can now get the low-cost financing they need to retrofit their homes. Low-income homes and energy-poor homes will continue to get free upgrades," he noted.
The Government’s highly ambitious target is to have 500,000 homes retrofitted, including 400,000 heat pumps installed, by the end of 2030. Given that the average number of homes completed in the first two years is around 37,000 per year, efforts will have to move up several gears if a half-million homes are to be upgraded.
Another issue is a shortage of labour to do the work.