INDUSTRY EXPERT
ANDREWRENNIEONRETROFIT
External wall insulation is an excellent way to improve a home’s energy performance and minimise heat leakage.
SOME NEW BUILDS IN NORTHERN IRELAND STILL DON’T PASS THE RETROFIT TEST... Time to future-proof
T here’s no disputing that the UK government sees a role for retrofitting in its pursuit of the zero carbon target. But has it gone far enough? Andrew Rennie explains: “In the Republic of Ireland, the government
The SEAI model simplifies the process of securing funding and completing retrofit by partnering with companies like Kingspan. As an approved counter-party, whose systems and controls are vetted and approved by the SEAI, Kingspan
internal wall insulation, pumped cavity wall and attic insulation, solar thermal systems and solar photovoltaic panels, heat pumps that harness energy from the air outside your home, boiler and heating controls. Cherry picking from this diverse selection was once common, however that is no longer the case, as Andrew explains: “The retrofit business has significantly developed in the last few years. The most energy-efficient upgrades will need a whole-house approach. The best example of this is the SEAI Deep Energy Efficiency Programme, a pilot scheme in the Republic over the last three years. This programme uses a range of measures to bring badly performing houses up to a BER Standard of A3. Hopefully, we will be able to use the information gained from this to form a blueprint for future works.”
has published a Climate Action Plan. It identifies half a million houses that need retrofitting and will contribute to meeting the 2050 target outlined in the action plan. From November 1, 2019, nZEB or ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’ have become mandatory in Republic of Ireland. Nearly Zero Energy Buildings defines buildings with very high energy performance. It would mean a house built to the Republic of Ireland’s
Retrofit can make the grant application and remove the onus on the homeowner to provide the required paperwork. “There are several different grant schemes currently available through SEAI. Depending on personal circumstances, grants can range from 30% of the total to 100% of the cost for the most vulnerable members of society. The most popular scheme is the Better Energy Homes scheme where a private homeowner can have
“We are actually still building newhouses today inNI that will need retrofitting in the next few years.”
building regulations could be 40% more energy-efficient than a home built to the Northern Ireland regulations. We are actually still building new houses today in NI that will need retrofitting in the next few years.”
upgrade works carried out by a registered contractor and claim a grant for doing so. Homes constructed before 2006 can avail of a grant for fabric measures, and 2010 is the threshold for renewables.” Retrofit solutions include external and
For further information on any of the above please visit www.kingspanretrofit.com
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