The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty and is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit. Measures undertaken include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice at no cost to eligible households. While a small number of households received external insulation under a pilot programme in 2010, it is not normally available under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
In circumstances where the homeowner is not in receipt of Department of Social Protection benefits, the applicable scheme is the Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme, administered by SEAI, which is available to owners of homes built before 2006, including landlords and owners of multiple properties. The scheme provides grants of up to 40% of the typical cost of upgrade measures, including roof insulation, wall insulation, boiler upgrades and heating control upgrades. Dedicated hot lines for both schemes are available (WHS hot line — 1800 250 204 and HES hot line — 1850 927 000), and provide information on eligibility for the schemes.
Both these schemes will transition during 2011 into the new National Retrofit Programme, together with the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). In advance of the transition to the National Retrofit Programme, the schemes will continue to operate.