Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fossil fuel boilers installed per scheme by post BER standard to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date in 2023, 3,434 homes were upgraded at an average cost of €24,000 per home.
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.
Heating systems upgrades are recommended under the schemes in cases where:
• There is no heating system in place, and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where the existing heating system is obsolete and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where statutory ‘Major Renovations’ obligations apply: A Major Renovation is triggered when more than 25% of the area of the building is being externally and/or internally insulated, then the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement. This is legally required under the Building Regulations, Part L 2019.
• It should be noted that the Warmer Homes Scheme is the only scheme administered by SEAI where installation of a new gas or oil heating system can be funded. To date in 2023, 861 homes have received heating system replacements. Of these, 822 were oil or gas boilers and 39 homes had heat pumps installed. A breakdown of these homes by post-works BER is not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department.
• In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where these Building Regulations are triggered, and to provide more extensive upgrades with decarbonised heating systems under the scheme, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot is gathering evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme.
