SEAI provides a range of Government-funded home energy upgrade grants that make it easier than ever before to improve the comfort of your home. Photo: Douglas Sheppard

Home energy upgrades are being encouraged by SEAI

Fancy a cosier home? A new campaign has been launched to hep with that.

As we prepare for the colder winter months the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has launched a new campaign to encourage homeowners to invest in home energy upgrades.

Doing this will give you a warmer, cosier home, with lower energy bills and significantly reduce your impact on the environment, the SEAI said.

SEAI provides a range of Government-funded home energy upgrade grants that make it easier than ever before to improve the comfort of your home.

Declan Meally, Director of Business and Public Sector with SEAI, said: “Over 52,600 families in Cork will enjoy a warmer, cosier, more energy efficient home this winter having already begun their home energy upgrade journey with the support of SEAI. As we head into the winter, now is the perfect time for people to upgrade their home and enjoy a whole new world of comfort.”

SEAI recommends that homeowners considering a home energy upgrade start with a Building Energy Rating or BER assessment, carried out by a SEAI registered assessor. The assessor will prepare a personalised advisory report for your home setting out the necessary upgrades to bring it up to the modern efficiency and comfort standards.

Declan Meally continued: “Once you get your personalised advisory report, you will know exactly what your home needs. You’ll also have a broad idea on the cost of the upgrade and the grants available to help fund the works.”

There are a range of Government-funded home energy upgrade grants available through SEAI. These provide up to 30 per cent of the overall cost of works on a variety of energy upgrades. Homeowners can apply for individual grants for insulation, heating controls, heat pumps and solar panels. The grants are fixed amounts ranging from €400 up to €6,000 depending on the works to be undertaken and the size of house. Alternatively, homeowners can avail of the one stop shop service currently being offered by several companies. These one stop shops will manage the whole process, including grant application and works, on behalf of homeowners. SEAI also offers free home energy upgrades to qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain social welfare benefits.