With energy costs soaring and climate scientists making the case for drastic reductions in the use of fossil fuels, the case for retrofitting homes has never been stronger.
Previous funding is available for the renovations, with grants at their highest and promises that paperwork and access to contractors have been simplified, so the timing has never been better either.
So what do you need to know if you’re considering taking the plunge? Some questions are answered here.
Q. Where can I get information?
A. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is in charge of the National Retrofitting Scheme, which is actually a set of schemes.
Lots of information can be found on their website, www.seai.ie, although you will have to search a bit.
If you are a tenant of the community, your town hall is responsible for fitting out your accommodation. If you are a low-income homeowner, you may qualify for free energy upgrades.
Details and application forms are on the SEAI website.
Alternatively, you can apply for grants under the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
Q. What grants are available?
A. There are individual grants to carry out the renovation one step at a time. You can apply separately for subsidies for attic insulation, wall insulation, heat pumps, new heating controls, solar thermal for hot water and solar photovoltaic for electricity.
You can apply yourself but some contractors will do it for you. The contractor must be registered with SEAI.
The alternative is to go all out and have a wider range of work done at the same time by a single contractor.
Q. How does it work?
A. A new one-stop-shop system is being put in place where companies agree to take care of everything the homeowner needs from the initial valuation of the house to discussions about the works needed for all grant applications, recruitment of specialized subcontractors for the various works to be carried out and monitoring of the entire project.
Q. How do I contact a one-stop shop?
A. SEAI says details of four one-stop-shop providers will be available on the website from the middle of next week and 15 more that are going through an evaluation process will be added as they are approved.
Q. Will it still be expensive?
A. Grants will cover up to 50% of the cost, but for an average home this still leaves a conservative estimate of €25,000.
Q. Are there cheap loans to cover my half?
A. The plan is that there will be by the end of this year. The government helps banks and other lenders to provide low interest loans specifically for renovation.
Q. Will I need planning permission?
A. This is unlikely unless there is a preservation order on your home or neighborhood. If it is a period house, you should check with your town hall.
Q. Won’t there be additional costs if I have to rent during the works?
A. According to the SEAI, in most cases all the work can be completed without anyone having to move.
It is important that tenants know this so as not to be victims of so-called “retroviction”.
