SEAI - Free Energy Upgrades - External Insulation

makeorbrake

I helped my elderly parents to put in a grant application through the SEAI for a Free Energy Upgrade on an old stone-walled house (built in the 1920s). They qualified but were rejected at the final review on the basis that external insulation was the only upgrade that would be beneficial - but that they couldn't go there because the walls are stone rather than block / block cavity.

Is there some technical reason why this prevents the application of external insulation? Has anyone else been refused on this basis (with a stone-walled house)?

bemak

its unfortunate that insulating lime render or hemp isn't considered when it comes to home renovation grants. the grants are forcing people to go down the road of EWI even though it's the wrong solution. needs to be looked at again.

makeorbrake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119384595#Comment_119384595

Can you explain what the issue is in using EWI in the case of a stone-walled house? It's not something I understand.

This isn't a grant per se - it's the SEAIs free upgrade scheme - although I suppose your point still stands - as they don't present with an alternative either.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119385922#Comment_119385922

Refer to page 37 here

https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy_Efficiency_in_Traditional_Buildings.pdf 

which comes from page 20 here:

https://www.seai.ie/grants/supports-for-contractors/BEH-Contractors-Code-of-Practice.pdf

dathi

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationid=651e6f16-087f-408b-ab3d-a59300fd971a

some interesting case studies on this website in their archive and research section

makeorbrake

@sydthebeat Thanks for those links. The first one doesn't really apply - as there's little in the way of architectural merit in this case.

From the second link: "Buildings constructed prior to the 1940s are typically built with “single leaf” walls and traditional materials such as stone and bricks. Improving the thermal performance of such buildings may pose additional challenges in terms of avoiding risks such as interstitial condensation. In some cases, it may be challenging to achieve the target U valuesrequired for insulation worksto qualify for the grant, in accordance with the DTSS. If Contractors have concernsin thisregard, they need to consult with the Technical Helpdesk to confirm grant eligibility before proceeding with works.:

Is this the key issue then (in bold)? Where would the dew point form if it was a build up like this? =>

EWI -> render layer ->stone ->plaster -> lath & plaster

If EWI is not an option in these cases, what alternative do folks with these types of houses have in order to try and get them up to standard?