The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €17,620.
SEAI has a contract in place since 2019 for Managing Agents (MA) to carry out Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments under the BER assessor Code of Practice. The tendered cost for the post works BER is fixed for the term of the contract and is only subject to change by way of a detailed and robust Change Control Notice (variation process) arising from a significant change to operations.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the Table below. The baseline cost is for post-works BERs on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, year by year. The successful tenderer providing this service to SEAI have also certain reporting requirements and a role relating to scheme management.
Warmer Homes Scheme BER Cost
Year
|
Baseline Cost (excl. VAT)
|
2019
|
€235*
|
2020
|
€295
|
2021
|
€295
|
2022
|
€295
|
* The figure for 2019 is an average cost, as new arrangements took effect during 2019
Pre-works BERs have only commenced on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme since January 2022 but the same baseline cost applies.