Free home energy expo coming to Kilkenny

The not-for-profit South East Energy Agency is calling on householders from across Kilkenny to consider home energy upgrades as it launches a regional initiative to move the southeast toward a ‘cleaner, greener future’ by delivering home energy retrofits.

With a cold start to 2026, the 17th wettest Irish winter on record, and amid spiralling fuel costs, the energy agency says it is keen to talk to Kilkenny households to share information and support for those who don’t know where to start.

The organisation, in partnership with Kilkenny City Sustainable Energy Community, is hosting the Kilkenny Home Energy Expo at the Newpark Hotel on May 19, a free drop-in event for homeowners who want to make their homes warmer, reduce energy bills and learn about the grants available to support energy upgrades.

Tickets are free but limited. Homeowners must register via www.southeastenergyy.ie/event/kilkenny-home-energy-expo/. 

Following two successful home energy upgrade events in Carlow and Wexford with more than 600 people attending, Head of Operations with South East Energy Agency, Alexandra Hamilton, says there is huge public interest in energy grants and learning more about home energy upgrades.

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“Lots of people want to carry out upgrade works and be more environmentally friendly, but they don’t know where to start,” she said. That’s where we come in.”

“As a not-for-profit organisation, our clients receive friendly, independent advice from an expert team who always act in their best interests. However, many homeowners and communities are still unaware of the level of grant support available to help fund energy upgrade works,” she added.

Grants are available in the region for energy-saving home improvements, including attic and wall insulation, heating system upgrades, ventilation and heat recovery, heat pumps, PV solar panels, or window and door replacements.

The South East Energy Agency energy experts manage the entire home transformation on behalf of the homeowner. 

Its three-step process starts with a home energy assessment (HEA) and energy report, followed by the grant application and procurement stage, and finally, full oversight of the home upgrade, quality compliance and the timely completion of the retrofit with enhanced energy efficiency, lower fuel costs and a cleaner environment.

Hamilton continued: “We want to make homes across the region more comfortable and more energy efficient. To ensure that every euro spent on fuel delivers the most value for the homeowner and supports a better quality of life in a warm, cosy, fuel-efficient home.”

“The Home Energy Assessment (HEA) Report or the Energy Audit is always the first step to identify where you use energy, and therefore where you can save energy.”

We will take them through what needs to be done, what grants they are eligible for and how they can best save money on energy and reduce their carbon emissions. There are grants available for the audits and HEA also,” she concluded.

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