I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 217, inclusive, together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. As the retrofit industry transforms to accommodate much higher levels of output in line with our national targets, quality must be maintained at a high level to ensure value for money for the tax-payers and to sustain consumer confidence and demand.
Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:
- NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings
- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents
- The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines
- NSAI Agrément certificates
- Irish, British or European Standards Guides
- Codes of Practice for the programmes
- Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) and constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings. However, there are some examples of concrete-built homes dating from the early 20th century.
- The SEAI advise that it does not exclude pre-1940 homes from applying to any of its grant supported schemes. However, all of the SEAI approaches are determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings. This means that wall insulation is not recommended under any of its residential energy efficiency schemes on dwellings built before 1940 which are constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction. That being said SEAI will assess applicant homes under the various residential energy efficiency schemes for other measures outside wall insulation which may be possible.
- The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 150,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:
- Attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
- Wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
- Secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting;
- In certain circumstances: heating system replacements, window replacements where the wall is being insulated
- With specific regard to pre-1940s stone-built dwellings, all eligible homes are assessed and where they comprise stone, SEAI will not insulate the stone walls, but will assess, for example, a post-1940 extension present, which based on the determination of the Surveyor may be deemed appropriate for insulation.
- The rationale for this approach is that stone-built (traditional built) structures were designed to be vapour permeable. Therefore, the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable. For example, a stone wall with lime-based mortar will need a lime-based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants.
- SEAI support the insulation of buildings using materials and products which are appropriate and have been determined fit for use in the Irish climate by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). SEAI has no role in the certification of products used in Ireland but is aware that very old homes which are constructed using stone and lime-based mortar are more complicated to insulate for the reasons outlined above.
- To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the public consultation with a view to publishing it this year. Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
