Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
166. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason only single glazed windows can be replaced under the SEAI’s warmer homes scheme, considering many old homes have old, rotten, ineffective or leaking double glazed windows that need to be replaced but cannot be due to the programme not permitting the replacement of double glazed windows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16121/24]
View answer167. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the SEAI’s warmer homes scheme does not carry out insulation on tradition or older buildings, specifically stone, random rubble and single leaf brick walls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16122/24]
View answer168. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether it is acceptable that the SEAI’s warmer homes scheme does not carry out insulation on tradition or older buildings, specifically stone, random rubble and single leaf brick walls, when these buildings are those most in need of insulation to retain heat and energy, and improve quality of life for the people who live in these homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16123/24]
View answer169. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason dropped ceilings are not insulated under the SEAI’s warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16124/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 169, inclusive, together.
The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty.
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; and
• In certain circumstances: heating system replacements, window replacements where the wall is being insulated.
Under the scheme, windows are only upgraded in certain circumstances. Windows are only replaced where single glazed windows are in place and where a primary measure of Attic or Wall Insulation is also being installed. Appendix 1 of the scheme application guidelines (www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf ) provides further details on the conditions for the various recommendation for energy efficiency upgrade measures, including the conditions for where replacement windows may be recommended.
SEAI advise that if dropped ceilings are present in the house, no attic works can be carried out under the Warmer Homes Scheme because the ceiling prevents access to the area suitable for insulation.
The SEAI also 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 on dwellings built before 1940 which are constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction. That being said, 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.
The new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” was published recently by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. The Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings publication describes how thermal efficiency of traditionally built buildings can be enhanced, whilst maintaining the conservation of architectural heritage.
This guidance will be an important resource to SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally-built buildings while ensuring compliance with the relevant building regulations.
