Are you eligible for a free home energy upgrade?
- Owen McConnon -
The Warmer Homes Scheme is a government initiative designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes occupied by low-income households. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and aims to make homes warmer, more comfortable, and more cost-effective to heat.
The scheme is targeted at homes occupied by people who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and meet specific criteria related to income and property ownership.
The Social Welfare payments that decide your eligibility are:
Fuel Allowance
Job Seekers Allowance for over six months with a child under seven
Working Family Payment
One-Parent Family Payment
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Carers Allowance
Disability Allowance for over six months with a child under seven
The programme offers a range of energy efficiency measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, draught-proofing, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, and energy-efficient lighting. In some cases, windows and doors are also included. SEAI grants, must not have been received for any of these works in the past.
The services provided under the Warmer Homes Scheme are typically offered free of charge to eligible households. The aim is to reduce energy bills for low-income families. After approval an SEAI representative will carry out a property inspection and approve the retrofitting works.
The SEAI will engage with registered contractors to carry out the necessary work on eligible homes. These contractors are trained and certified to ensure that the work meets quality standards.
Eligible households can apply for the Warmer Homes Scheme through the SEAI. The application process involves providing information about income, property ownership, and other relevant details.
For further information on the Warmer Homes Schemes and the process of making an application, please contact, Owen McConnon, Community Retrofit Champion on 087-1315956 or omcconnon@ccld.ie Log on to www.seai.ie
It is important to note that there can be up to an eighteen-month time frame between the making of an application to having the works completed.
Things to remember:
You must be a home owner?
You must be in receipt of a specified Social Welfare payment?
Have not already received SEAI grants for similar works?
Home Energy Tips
Smart heating control timers:
Many homeowners are investing in smarter heating controls. These are often offered by their energy supplier. They control both time and temperature and are easily programmable to your daily and weekly routines all from your smartphone. Grants are available for heating controls.
Heating timers:
Set times so that your heating comes on and off and that it fits with your daily routine. Radiators will continue to heat your home for some time after the heating is turned off.
Lighting timers:
By controlling the duration for which lights are on, timers can prolong the lifespan of bulbs and other lighting fixtures. This reduces the frequency of replacements, saving both money and resources.
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