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Making an older house energy efficient

  • 23-05-2013 8:28pm
    #1
    Flo2013
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭


    Hi there,
    I am looking for some advice on improving the energy efficiency of my home and the costs involved. I apologise in advance, I’m not even sure of the right questions to ask but I’ll include as much information as I can.
    The house is a 4 bed bungalow, 1600 sq ft, built circa 1994. The BER rating is D2. We haven’t moved into the house yet. I have had a look at the seai website at the grants available, but I suppose what I am wondering is how much those grants really cover, for example would the grant for solar panels cover 10% of the cost of buying and installing them or 20%, same question for insulation, heating etc.
    I’m really sorry if this is a stupid question, I don’t know where to start.
    Thanks for any replies


Comments

  • #2
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    Flo2013 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    I am looking for some advice on improving the energy efficiency of my home and the costs involved. I apologise in advance, I’m not even sure of the right questions to ask but I’ll include as much information as I can.
    The house is a 4 bed bungalow, 1600 sq ft, built circa 1994. The BER rating is D2. We haven’t moved into the house yet. I have had a look at the seai website at the grants available, but I suppose what I am wondering is how much those grants really cover, for example would the grant for solar panels cover 10% of the cost of buying and installing them or 20%, same question for insulation, heating etc.
    I’m really sorry if this is a stupid question, I don’t know where to start.
    Thanks for any replies

    As you havent lived in the house yet, you have no idea what the house is like to live in. The ber cert is of limited value as it is not based on any actual test of the house (for example, generally it does not test that the heating system actually works). Also, you do not say what you are trying to achieve with your energy efficiency drive. Finally, imo, you are starting in the wrong place by looking at available grants before you know what needs to be improved.

    Best advice is the approach this in a step by step fashion.
    1. Get independent professional advice on building fabric weaknesses wrt heat loss (google heat loss survey). I'm not just talking about insulation levels but also airtightness and ventilation. From this you will know how to spend your money wisely. It may also be best to actually live in the house over a winter season to "learn" how the house works.
    2. Taking above improvements into account, now look at how the heat is being delivered to the house, i.e. heating system.
    3. Now check out what grants are available.


  • #3
    luapy2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11 ✭luapy2


    hi come across this quite often, generally any registered contractor would from a simple walk through and inspection of heat producing appliances and actual building fabric, be able to advise on best course of action. the moment you start being energy efficient you start saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.
    most efficiency measures can be installed at once or as the need arises in modules. say internal drylining, or external insulation,
    attic insulation, heating controls with or without new boiler (solar cylinder)
    solar panels.and dont forget pellet boilers especially if you live away from natural gas supplies.i know of many pellet boilers working as the should .
    <SNIP>


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