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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna (93)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

93. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 10 May 2022, if he will outline the programme, proposed outputs and timeline for the pilot to achieve B2 retrofits in the warmer homes scheme. [25820/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In order to move the Warmer Homes scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is selecting approximately 100 homes for the Heat Pump Pilot and a further 277 homes for the B2 pilot. Suitability for the pilots will be determined using a desk-based approach of examining pre-works BER ratings and survey data. Homes that are not suitable for a heat pump will be considered for upgrade to a B2 rating. The purpose of the “B2 and Heat Pump pilots”, is to gather evidence that will inform the development of the appropriate process and approach to the delivery of an increased number of B2 upgrades and heat pump installations under the Warmer Homes scheme. It is also anticipated that both pilots will identify any operational, contractual, or technical gaps to be addressed as well as any other related dependencies.

The pilots will also allow the SEAI to maximise the energy savings for each home involved as well as increasing the quality of life for the inhabitants.

16 homes have been upgraded with heat pumps to date and to the end of April 2022, 40 homes have been upgraded to a B2 or Better.

SEAI will continue to report on progress to my Department on a monthly basis until all homes selected for the pilots have been completed.

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