Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2023
46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what is required from a contractor to be added to the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps. [25038/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the mechanism for removal of a contractor from the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps. [25039/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the checks in place to ensure that contractors who are on the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps, are in compliance with high standards, and that their work is satisfactory and efficient; and if there are reviews, inspections or audits of work, or what quality control is in place. [25040/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 47 and 48 together.
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. Registration of Contractors operating under these schemes is an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function in relation to the registration process and/or the Quality Assurance of individual Registered Contractors.
Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and 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
In addition, contractors are required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. The Quality Assurance programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain 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 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, up to and including deregistration from the SEAI Contractor register.
Heat pump systems must be installed by suitably qualified personnel. Personnel nominated to supervise and inspect the works, and to sign off the Declaration of Works must be competent in the different aspects of the works. This includes 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 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.
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.
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. In order to determine if a dwelling is suitable for a heat pump to be installed, a pre-works Technical Assessment is carried out by an SEAI registered Technical Assessor. This assessment includes a pre-works BER assessment and a study of the dwelling’s heat loss elements in order to determine whether that particular dwelling is “heat pump ready”.
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.
SEAI has published a set of guidelines for Contractors on Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures which are available at: www.seai.ie/publications/Better-Energy-Homes-QADP.pdf
