Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2024
35. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the grant for technical assessment of homes, provided by the SEAI, is only available if a person purchases and installs a heat pump within eight months of completing the technical assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43419/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra36. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he believes that the preconditions for technical assessment of homes is preventing people from retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43420/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These schemes provide an unprecedented opportunity for people all over Ireland to upgrade to a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home, with lower energy bills and emission.
The owners of dwellings built prior to 2007 applying for a heat pump grant under the Better Energy Homes Scheme are required to engage an independent Technical Advisor. Since earlier this year, dwellings built since 2007 no longer require a Technical Assessment because the homes are considered to have a sufficiently low level of heat loss.
The Technical Advisor guides the homeowner on: the energy performance of the dwelling; the suitability of the dwelling for a heat pump system based on the dwelling’s heat loss; and measures necessary to ensure that the dwelling fabric heat loss is lowered to an acceptable level for a heat pump system to perform effectively and efficiently. Given that the Technical Assessment is linked to the eligibility requirements for a heat pump install on this scheme, the grant for the Technical Assessment and heat pump grant are paid in tandem.
It should be noted there is not a validity period on completing a Technical Assessment and creating a heat pump grant therefore a Homeowner could complete a Technical Assessment, carry out any required upgrades within their own time and then proceed with the heat pump grant based on the original Technical Assessment carried out.
However, as an alternative, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, grant support is also available for homeowners to apply to a One Stop Shop for a stand-alone Home Energy Assessment which provides information on: Pre-works BER; Heat Loss Indicator & Heat Pump design; design for upgrade to BER B2 and beyond; and cost estimate quotes and grants available.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
