Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
177. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of and amount of funding for heating systems upgrades installed broken down by heat source including from fossil fuel like oil and gas, and electric heat pump and so on for the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme in 2022, in tabular form. [3984/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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).
Heating systems upgrades are currently only provided in limited circumstances under the scheme (and under the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme which is now closed to new applications), usually in cases where there is no heating system in place or where the existing heating system is broken beyond repair. Additionally, these are usually only carried out where wall and/or attic insulation is taking place and where statutory ‘Major Renovations’ are triggered by that upgrade and a heating system upgrade is legally required under the Building Regulations. It should be noted that these are the only schemes administered by SEAI where installation of a new gas or oil heating system can be funded.
In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where these Building Regulations are triggered, and to provide more extensive upgrades with decarbonised heating systems under the scheme, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022 and is gathering evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach – to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme.
Final figures for completions in 2022 across all schemes are currently being finalised by SEAI.
