Better Energy Homes Scheme
The Better Energy Home Scheme. This scheme provides grant funding to homeowners who are interested in improving the energy efficiency of their home in order to reduce energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It is a national scheme and is thus open to all owners of existing houses built before 2006. The scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland and its agents. www.seai.ieAssistance will be provided by the payment of fixed grants towards the costs of implementing home improvement measures. The types of measures eligible under this scheme are roof insulation, wall insulation , heating controls and new boiler. There is also a grant for households who choose to get a Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment Before and After the works are completed.
| MEASURE | CATEGORY | GRANT * |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Roof Insulation | €200 |
| Wall | Cavity wall insulation | €250 |
| Internal Wall Dry-Lining | ||
| Mid terrace/Apartment | €800 | |
| Semi detached/end of terrace | €1,350 | |
| Detached | €1,800 | |
| External wall insulation | ||
| Mid terrace/ apartment | €800 | |
| Semi detached/end of errace | €2,700 | |
| Detached property | €3,600 | |
| Heating System | Heat controls with new boiler | €560 |
| Heat controls upgrade only | €400 | |
| Solar Heating | Solar heating | €800 |
| Building Energy Rating | BER | €50 |
* Please note that while you are entitled to apply for each Measure there is a minimum requirement that the grant amount in the first application must be €400 or greater. The BER grant cannot form part of this €400 amount.
Therefore an applicant may have to go for two measures to comply with the grant. ( eg. attic insulation and cavity wall insulation; or roof insulation and heating controls.
Durkan Ecofix can assist you in applying for the grant. If you are interested please contact Paul Quinn at01-2310095 and we will gladly deal with any queries.
What is a BER?
A Building Energy Rating or BER is similar to the energy rating label on your fridge with a scale pf A to G. A rated homes are the most efficient and G the least efficient.
How is a BER calculated?
A BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling (wall, roof and floor dimensions, window and door sizes and orientations) as well as the construction type and levels of insulation, ventilation and air tightness features, the systems for heat supply (including renewable energy), distribution and control, and the type of lighting. It covers annual energy use for space heating, water heating, ventilation, lighting and associated pumps and fans, calculated on the basis of a notional standard family with a standard pattern of occupancy.
The energy performance is expressed as:
primary energy use per unit floor areaper year (kWh/m2/yr) represented on an A to G scale (see BER certificate); and associated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in kgCO2/m2/yr (see BER Certificate)
Who is responsible for the BER Scheme?
The BER Scheme was established under the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006 (S.I No 666 of 2006).
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has been designated as the Issuing Authority with the responsibility for the registration of BER assessors, logging of BER assessments and ongoing management of the BER Scheme.
BER assessments are carried out by registered BER assessors who have been trained under the National Framework of Qualifications and have registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). In addition, SEI has put in place a comprehensive quality assurance system to audit BER assessors and BER assessments and to protect the integrity of the BER Scheme.
What is Sustainable Energy?
Sustainable energy refers to a way we can generate and use energy in a less harmful way to the environment. We can do this by being more efficient in how we use energy in our daily lives and also by increasing the amount of energy we use from renewable sources such as the wind, the sun, the heat of the earth and the movement of rivers and oceans.
The following Elements will improve your Eco friendliness
- Increased Air Tightness
- High Efficiency Heating Systems
- Time and Temperature Zoned Heating Control
- High levels of insulation beyond current normal standards
- Highly Rated Windows
- Reduction in heat loss around windows, doors, floor edgesSolar Water Heating
What is Air Tightness?
Air tightness is the reduction of draughts and heat loss through sealing gaps in walls, ceilings etc.
