'Something for everyone' in the Home Energy Upgrade Scheme – Smyth

There is “something for everyone” in the government's new Home Energy Update Scheme launched last week, Cllr Hazel Smyth says.

The biggest home insulation and retrofit programme ever offered in the state, the scheme includes a new suite of measures that will make it easier for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, from individual measures such as attic insulation to a full retrofit.

For private homes, new grants will cover close to half the cost (45-51%) of a deep retrofit that will improve the energy efficiency to a high B2 rating. That means grants of more than €25,000 may be offered to individual householders to help pay for deep retrofits of their homes.

Speaking on behalf of Longford Westmeath Greens, Cllr Hazel Smyth said that the scheme “seeks to remedy what has always been one of the greatest barriers to retrofitting our existing building stock – the high upfront cost of construction”.

“This large package of measures gives assurance that there will be something here for everyone, whatever your price point might be. It is going to ensure that the people of Longford Westmeath have warmer homes and will spend less on their energy bills in the long-term.”

In addition to the provision for deep retrofitting, there will also be 80 per cent grants available to households who opt for more minor works, such as insulating attics or cavity walls, reducing the overall cost of such works and making them accessible to more people across the country.

For people unsure about how to access the supports available through the scheme, Cllr Smyth says that help is out there.

“Approximately half the homes in the country need upgraded insulation in their attic, which can lower the cost of heating the family home by 25% every year or between €400 and €500. I’m also delighted to see that a there will be a network of ‘one-stop-shops’ created to assist people from Longford Westmeath undertaking a deep retrofit to get information about the application process, financing, and construction. I know that people will take comfort in knowing that there is one location for any retrofitting information that they might need in future.”

Households most at risk of energy poverty will also be eligible for a Free Energy Upgrade Scheme.

Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Climate Action and Environment, and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action Brian Leddin TD said;

“The Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will play a key part in Ireland’s ambitious climate targets to reduce emissions, while also reducing fuel poverty and ensuring everyone can live in a warm, comfortable home. It is critical that there are options now available for all households, regardless of income.”