Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will be a ‘gamechanger’ in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Greens welcome the new Home Energy Upgrade Scheme launched by Minister Eamon Ryan, in what is the biggest home insulation and retrofit scheme ever offered in the State. 

The scheme will include a new suite of measures that will make it easier for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, from individual measures such as attic insulation to a full retrofit. For private homes, new grants will cover close to half the cost (45-51%) of a deep retrofit that will improve the energy efficiency to a high B2 rating. That means grants of more than €25,000 may be offered to individual householders to help pay for deep retrofits of their homes. 

Cllr Maria Dollard welcomed the new scheme.

“This scheme seeks to remedy what has always been one of the greatest barriers to retrofitting our existing building stock – the high upfront cost of construction. If you want to make your home warmer then there is something here for most people. It is going to ensure that the people of Kilkenny have warmer homes and will spend less on their heating bills in the long-term.” 

In addition to the provision for deep retrofitting, there will also be 80% grants available to households who opt for more minor works, such as insulating attics or cavity walls, reducing the overall cost of such works and making them accessible to more people across the country. 

“Approximately half the homes in the country need upgraded insulation in their attic, which can lower the cost of heating the family home by 25% every year or €400 - €500 in savings. I’m also delighted to see that a there will be a network of ‘one-stop-shops’ created to assist people in Kilkenny. I know that people will be happy to know that there is one location for any retrofitting information that they might need.”

“Households most at risk of energy poverty will also be eligible for a Free Energy Upgrade Scheme. It is crucial we protect those most at risk of being left behind in the upgrading of homes. The Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will play a key part in Ireland’s climate targets to reduce emissions, while also reducing fuel poverty and ensuring everyone can live in a warm, comfortable home. It is critical that there are options now available for all households, regardless of income.”

The Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is a significant step towards meeting the Programme for Government commitment to retrofit 500,000 homes to B2 standard and to install 400,000 heat pumps by 2030.