Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
159. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the SEAI will have final figures for the number of and amount of funding for heating systems upgrades installed, broken down by heat source, including from fossil fuel such as 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. [12250/23]
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. The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme (now closed to new applications) aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. Both schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Heating systems upgrades are recommended under the schemes in cases where:
- There is no heating system in place, and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
- Where the existing heating system is obsolete and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
- Where statutory ‘Major Renovations’ obligations apply: A Major Renovation is triggered when more than 25% of the area of the walls is being externally and/or internally insulated, then the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement. This is legally required under the Building Regulations, Part L 2019.
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 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.
The table below sets out the different heating system upgrades provided to homes at risk of energy poverty who were in need of a heating system replacement in 2022:
|
Heating System type |
Warmth and Wellbeing scheme |
Warmer Homes scheme |
Total |
|
Gas Heating System |
107 |
652 |
759 |
|
Oil Heating System |
0 |
471 |
471 |
|
Heat Pump |
4 |
36 |
40 |
|
Grand Total |
111 |
1,159 |
1,270 |
