The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides a range of energy efficiency retrofit services free of charge to vulnerable fuel poor households. The Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the services include cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, draught proofing, cylinder lagging jacket and CFLs. The measures are installed as appropriate, following a survey of eligible households, by installers drawn from a panel of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and private contractors. These measures were selected for inclusion in the Scheme as they were deemed most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners, and would thereby optimise the use of Exchequer funds while at the same time maximising the number of homes addressed.
In certain instances, the home may not be suitable either for the measures funded or the manner in which they are typically achieved. This is not to say that there are not technical solutions to all scenarios but some may not be eligible to be funded through this scheme. In the case of low pitch ceilings, as in the home of the applicant, the difficulty of access makes it difficult or impossible to use traditional rolled mineral fibre installation. Such a situation presents similar technical challenges to the installation of blown fibre solutions, particularly in achieving the proper levels of coverage across the ceiling while maintaining the necessary ventilation provisions. In low pitch ceiling scenarios these are particularly demanding and therefore expensive. Thus, on the basis of the principles stated earlier, the Warmer Homes Scheme does not currently support such solutions.
Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and a dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204. In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
