free energy surveys

canine

I got a free energy survey done last Friday .I applied through the ESB website ,its called HALO ,he came ,spent 2 hours and gave me great advice ,where I could make changes how much it would cost and what grants are available to me

_Whimsical_

How long were you waiting for the survey after you applied ?I applied a month ago and haven't heard anything back since.
Is it a full survey done with heat sensitive equipment?

GERMAN ROCKS

what if your with bord gais

_Whimsical_

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

what if your with bord gais

You can still apply.It said on the leaflet that I got about it that it didn't matter what company you were with.I'm with BG too.It's possible that they prioritize ESB customers though I suppose.

killer007

I'm with Board Gais too and a guy was out to us in just over 2 weeks.It was a good survey but our house is only 7 years old so most things were o.k..Spotted we didn't have a thermostat on the hot water tank though.
Would recomend it as it's for free and they do it to fulfill some E.U. directive.

bungaro

is the form still on the esb website?!? its probably right in front of my face but i can't find it on there!!

Davy

bungaro wrote: »

is the form still on the esb website?!? its probably right in front of my face but i can't find it on there!!

https://www.esb.ie/main/sustainability/halo.jsp

bungaro

legend! cheers davy

nephster

"*Unfortunately apartments are not eligible for a HALO Survey."

Ah well...

Saruman

nephster wrote: »

"*Unfortunately apartments are not eligible for a HALO Survey."

Ah well...

Not surprising since you really do not own the building and can not make any real changes so it would be minor things like thermostats etc.

bold_defender

Is there anyone doing a free survey like this for houses newer (i.e. 2007). I know they shouldn't it them but I know someone in a house that does.

tbabit

Thanks op,

Eurorunner

How knowledgeable are the folks that call out? Have an appointment now for next tuesday.

kdouglas

Just got a call this morning with an appointment for wednesday morning, the surveyor was going to be in the area doing another call apparently. 2 Hours? Wasn't expecting anything that extensive, will report back when he's done.

blahblah06

Kdoug how long ago did u apply

brightkane

is it only a survey and reccomendations or is there a hard sell aspect to it also?

Eurorunner

blahblah06 wrote: »

how long ago did u apply

I applied around the 14th ...which is when I read this thread here - so thanks OP

brightkane wrote:

is it only a survey and reccomendations or is there a hard sell aspect to it also?

Its being financed by the ESB so no, there is no hard sell involved. (I wouldn't bother with one that was as you simply couldn't have any degree of confidence in it then).

Richard Dower

Thanks OP!...i just sent the info to me mam, i had the survery done a few weeks back....you'll get a report and cert, tis handy becuase all local authorities now have to survery home for energy efficency.

Nukem

Whats the report like? Was it someone ticking boxes or having a proper inspection?
Recommend my fams get this done ages ago but still waiting

Richard Dower

They do ask alot of energy related Q, like do you use energy saving bulbs (which i do)....you're appliances, they measure rooms, take pics, up in the attic, insulation etc.

Ask how much you pay on your ESB, usage, what kinda heating you have....you get a rating, advice on how to save energy (bulbs etc) and things to make the house more energy efficient....like you might be advised to get a lagging jacket etc.

It's free, it means your house has been certified and rated, it only needs to be done once.

haines35

Richard do you actually get a BER cert at the end of this?

Eurorunner

Richard Dower wrote: »

Ask how much you pay on your ESB, usage, what kinda heating you have....you get a rating, advice on how to save energy (bulbs etc) and things to make the house more energy efficient....like you might be advised to get a lagging jacket etc.

hmm...all the common sense stuff. Bugger. This is still costing them a lot of money. Can't help but feel like its a missed opportunity. They could have subsidised blower door testing or something useful with the householder coughing up half the fee.

@haines35: I very much doubt it.

Nukem

haines35 wrote: »

Richard do you actually get a BER cert at the end of this?

Not a BER Cert, but a certification to say the house has been audited.Parents got a call a few minutes ago and looking forward to seeing how the house gets on as they just had a BER done it a week ago. Hmmmmm..............

gonker

Got a call this morning for them. Having my survey done tomorrow thanks to the OP.

padocon

haines35 wrote: »

Richard do you actually get a BER cert at the end of this?

No, I was told they don't give out them but there is a list of the people who can online on the Sustainable Energy Ireland. You can do a search to find someone in your area here.


Parents ordered theirs yesterday and were told they would get a call by the end of January.

gunnerfitzy

Made the call yesterday.

Thanks OP

admiralofthefleet

do it through pigsback and you get 100 points

haines35

Thanks i thought i might get a free ber:D

blahblah06

im getting a visit of these tomorrow morning. Has anyone info on it. Did you get a cost list back and what kind of grants your entitled to

Eurorunner

blahblah06 wrote: »

im getting a visit of these tomorrow morning. Has anyone info on it. Did you get a cost list back and what kind of grants your entitled to

I suppose some might see it as beneficial but I can't see it myself. Its all just common sense stuff and doesn't go beyond that.
Attic insulation
Heating controls
draught proofing of windows doors/loft hatch
and a run through on the grants available.
It must still cost a hell of a lot to send guys out to do this - I think its very much a missed opportunity. Could have done something more advanced. Thermal imaging survey or airtightness testing. And if that's asking too much, then just organising a subsidised rate for same...

Bumble32

Booked for Sat 23rd.

padocon

Bumble32 wrote: »

Booked for Sat 23rd.

Just wondering when you applied?

Curious Geroge

How do you apply if your with bord gais ?

tantipie

i applied about 6 weeks ago and they came today,,i'm not even with esb,,
anyway he stayed about 20 mins was expecting 2hrs,,told me nothing about grants and i forgot to ask till i came back on here:rolleyes:and all i need do is double up on my attic insulation!!!they'll send me out some pack also,

selfbuilder1

Had the survey done today. In and out in 15 minutes not a lot of new information. Thankfully it was free would hated to have paid for it.

Davy

Any feedback on this? Was it beneficial to anyone?

Wonder did more people apply than they thought, why they were in and out so quick. Still allowing applications though

bmaxi

I had it done last week, it took about an hour and the guy answered any questions I had, if you don't ask questions you won't get answers.
He said he'd be sending a detailed report with all the recommendations and info about grants, etc.
It was well worth the time IMO as the guy showed where the builder had skimped on insulation, something I'll be taking up with my solicitor.

padocon

Davy wrote: »

Any feedback on this? Was it beneficial to anyone?

Wonder did more people apply than they thought, why they were in and out so quick. Still allowing applications though

We had a really nice surveyor who must have stayed for about an hour and a half.

The survey was quite detailed. The women who conducted the survey entered each room. All windows were measured and checked, as were all the outer doors. Light bulbs were inspected and the attic was also looked at. The boilers, hot presses, thermostats, radiator timers ect were all looked at as well.

The survey it self was time consuming mainly due to all the measuring, which was done digitally (20 windows)

The surveyor was very informative and clearly an expert in this area. She was a sub contractor for the ESB and what I can gather all the surveyors are sub contractors. She was fairly high up in the energy business and conducted other things besides the surveys as part of her private company. I must say I didn't think that someone as informative and skilled would be sent out.

All grants which could be gained were explained. Also she explained what should be done to the house. Eg a little extra insulation, cowl on the chimney, lagging jacket on the boiler ect. She pointed out various options regarding our sometimes cold living room. All though some things are simple you don't really know the full extinct till they are pointed out.

She went on explaining the larger jobs which she recommended we should do, thats if we wanted. ie Dry lining to stop dampness. I found the survey very helpful. I would recommend everyone get it as its free and may be ending around April. She also gave a one page leaflet with all the grants available to us and the ones she recommended.


A grant which struck me was for the BER. Many companies do these for approx 200 euro. That includes 2 BER surveys and certificates. Up to 200euro can be claimed back under a grant from the government, she explained. So thats a free BER!

Finally a comprehensive report will be prepared and sent to me with detailed survey results, findings, recommendations, grants available ect. I did not get this yet as the survey was done only 5 days ago.

Over all I was very happy with the survey and got allot from it.
If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

padocon

Good explanation on youtube:
Here

Scottie99

Good thread folks, just applied online tonight.:D

Thanks