Because we have so many old homes in Ireland, housing is one of our greatest energy efficiency challenges.
A Government-implemented grant programme was launched to alleviate the problem by way of deep retrofitting these older homes.
The Deep Retrofit of a home involves carrying out multiple energy upgrades, including:
- Reducing the level of heat loss using wall, roof, or floor insulation, as well as window upgrades.
- Efficient renewable heating system to support the transition away from fossil fuels.
- Mechanical ventilation to maintain good indoor air quality.
- Installation of renewable energy technologies such as solar panels.
During the meeting of Laois County Council this week, Cllrs Caroline Dwane Stanley and Aisling Moran were in agreement that while the programme has been successful, it could still be improved upon.
Sinn Féin Cllr Dwane Stanley called for the continued roll out of the council houses to be retrofitted and brought up to a proper specification.
“I am requesting the council, should an opportunity arise, roll out a scheme along with SEAI to subsidise the private houses in supporting them to carry out the retrofitting to there homes.
“With the cost so high and the grants so low, older houses in private ownership will be left behind. I don’t want to see that happening.
“O’Moore Place is a good example where external insulation had to be done, pushing the cost way up.
“Only half of those houses were done because they were council homes, the other half are private and owners will never be able to afford the cost.”
Independent Cllr Moran added that bureaucratic problems were blocking the programme from fulfilling its true potential.
Cllr Moran called for an audit into the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), claiming money is being wasted.
“If you gave people money instead the SEAI, more homes would get done,” she said.
SEE ALSO – Laois County Councillors call for a civic reception for Abbeyleix – Ireland’s tidiest town
