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.
The Building Energy Rating (BER) system is administered by SEAI in compliance with S.I. 243 of 2012. SEAI operate a Quality Assurance System to continuously monitor the quality of BER assessments published by BER Assessors and to ensure widespread operational compliance with the BER Assessor's Code of Practice. Processes put in place by SEAI in this regard include pre-qualification requirements; mandatory training and induction; mentoring for new entrants; validation rules for published assessments; and feedback measures such as auditing.
Entities seeking to register as an SEAI contractor under any relevant scheme must agree to adhere to the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice, 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
• Irish Agrément certificates
• Irish, British or European Standards Guides
They are also required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. Insurance and Tax compliance is checked against our Home Energy Grant system as part of a daily automated process. Where a Contractor is seeking to re-register after a period of absence from the programme, the full registration process must be undertaken. The full requirements are set out here: www.seai.ie/grants/supports-for-contractors/.
Heat pumps supported through SEAI grant programmes are required to meet minimum heat pump product performance standards, be designed and sized correctly to meet the heat loads for that specific home, that the home meets minimum energy performance. Where applicable a pre-works Technical Assessment, carried out by an SEAI registered Technical Assessor, includes a pre-works BER assessment and a study of the dwelling’s heat loss elements.
Heat pump systems must be installed by suitably qualified personnel - including those nominated to supervise and inspect the works, and to sign off the Declaration of Works form - competent in the different aspects of the works including design, sizing and installation of the whole heat pump system. The minimum qualification and training requirements that must be met by personnel nominated to sign off the Declaration of Works form for grant purposes are:
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Advanced Craft in Plumbing, including a module on minor electrical works, or equivalent
- Certificate of competence from the specific manufacturer of the heat pumps installed, based on an adequate training programme
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Heat Pump Systems (Course Code C30263) and supplemental Domestic Heat Pump Installation (Code 700606) or equivalent
A Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) is required to supervise and sign off the electrical installation of a heat pump system, in accordance with the definition of “Controlled Works and restricted Works” by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities).
An F-Gas engineer is required to carry out and certify heat pump system installations involving refrigerant pipework and charging as per the F-Gas Regulation.
To avail of a grant, heat pumps must meet the requirements specified in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications which include:
• Meeting national requirements for domestic heating and building services and wiring regulations
• Fully comply with the EU Energy Label and Eco-design regulations
• Provide the data required for the Domestic BER assessment based on EN14825 and EN16147 testing standards
• Be CE marked and have the EC declaration of conformity
• Be listed on the SEAI Triple E register
• Satisfy the minimum Seasonal Performance Factor (Main Space Heating Efficiency) calculated according to the dwelling energy assessment procedure methodology.
The SEAI Quality Assurance programme is also in place to ensure the maintenance of high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money. Regular inspections, which can take place at pre-payment or post-payment stage, of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner.
A Declaration of Works form must be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works. Post-works Building Energy Ratings are also carried out by independent BER assessors.
Under the provisions of the SEAI Quality Assurance Programme, should a Contractor fail to reach the required standard when following direction on corrective action, then, in accordance with warnings issued, disciplinary action will follow in accordance with SEAI’s Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures document, up to and including deregistration from the SEAI Contractor register.
Registration of Contractors and the quality assurance of individual registered contractors operating under the SEAI schemes, are operational matters for the SEAI. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries as above can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
