The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households, as quickly as possible, is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 7,000 applications received up until the end of June 2023.
There are currently 14,871 homes on the WHS work programme. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
In February 2022, the Government made a decision to improve targeting of the scheme towards the worst performing properties, homes built and occupied before January 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G are prioritised for works. Applications made before February 2022, irrespective of BER, were not affected. SEAI have indicated that since February 2022 the split in applications between Priority 1 (pre 1993, E, F and G homes) and Priority 2 (all other homes) is 48% (Priority 1) and 52% (Priority 2). The split of homes allocated to contractors in the most recent allocation was 69% Priority 1 and 31% Priority 2.
Homes built up to 2006 with BERs of D and above can still apply under the scheme, though wait times for these better-performing homes may be longer as the worse performing homes are prioritised.
My Department has set SEAI a target of 6,000 home completions under the WHS programme. Up to the end of June 2023, SEAI has completed 2,346 home upgrades under the scheme.
