Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many solar panels were installed under the warmer homes scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; how many were standard B2 or above; the post-retrofit BER of solar panels installed under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46857/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to homeowners who receive certain welfare payments, which make them vulnerable to energy poverty. Delivering free energy upgrades to these households as quickly as possible is a top priority for my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
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. 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
The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle.
Solar PV panels are not offered as a measure under the scheme. Supports for Solar PV panels are available under the dedicated domestic solar PV scheme, which offers grants of up to €2,400 to all homeowners in homes built before 2021.
A more detailed overview of the SEAI performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes can be found in the recently published quarterly report, which can be found on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q2-2023.pdf
