Eco Evolution Blog

~Online Home Energy Self Survey and Building Energy Rating Integrated into Grant Scheme~

On June 8^th, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will introduce two new features to the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme, designed to further empower consumers, first by guiding them on suitable upgrade works and secondly informing them of the impact of works undertaken.

The Home Energy Saving scheme, administered by SEAI provides grants to homeowners for insulation and heating system upgrades and continues to prove very popular with over 58,000 homeowner applications approved since the scheme was launched in March 2009.

Online Home Energy Self Survey

The smart online Home Energy Self Survey will only take minutes to complete, taking homeowners through a number of simple steps to identify the current condition of their home and guiding them towards the most suitable upgrade works.  This new survey will be offered to all applicants at the start of the online application process and will also available in hard copy on request from the SEAI call centre.  The survey complements the existing fast track online application system and links directly to SEAI’s other resources including the Buyers’ Guides.

Integral BER Requirement

At the same time a Building Energy Rating (BER) is to become an integral part of all grant applications under the HES scheme, whereby homeowners must undertake a BER to measure the impact of works undertaken.  This will give homeowners a thorough and objective assessment of the energy performance of their home following upgrade works, including a BER certificate with a A-G performance rating.  The first such BER assessment will attract grant aid of €100.

At the time of completing the BER, the assessor will also provide an estimate of the energy performance of the home before upgrade works, based upon the pre-works condition of the house.  This will inform the homeowner of the effectiveness of the upgrade works in terms of energy and CO2 emissions improvements. 

Householders making applications  on or after Tuesday 8^th June will be required to use the new application system or  the new application forms.

Source: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/New_Consumer_Features_to_be_introduced_to_HES_Scheme.html

If you missed “About the House” tonight with Duncan then here is what happened:

This week, Duncan is in Rahan, Co Offaly to visit a couple who have just won a competition to upgrade their home. Aidan and Martina Grennan live in a cold draughty bungalow which was built 40 years ago.    Martina suffers from a debilitating illness fibromyalgia and also asthma  which is not helped by dampness, humidity and poor ventilation in their home
Now they have the chance to completely transform the comfort of their home by giving it the energy upgrade that it really needs. Duncan talks to them about their plans to improve their home and the difference it will make to their lives.

Martin English from NSAI talks to Duncan about the importance of using quality certified insulation products.

Tania visits a small terraced home in Dublin 8 which has been completely transformed by the addition of a beautiful contemporary extension. Not only has this house been aesthetically changed, but an eco friendly renovation has meant that it has gone from a G to a B1 BER rating.

Source: http://www.rte.ie/tv/aboutthehouse/thisweek.html

It is great to see that they are showing so many renewable energy products and Eco houses on the series this year!