GREEN YOUR HOME GREEN THE ECONOMY Joanna Tuffy TD THE STATS €46 Million has been spent to date on improving the energy efficiency of homes the majority of which were in energy poverty. This expenditure was funded under the Better Energy Areas and Community Scheme.
€240 Million has been spent to date since this Government took office on the upgrading of people’s homes to make their homes more energy efficient. This is despite the need for the Government to drastically cut spending in its first three years in office in order to stabilise the Country’s finances. The priority this Government has given to energy efficient homes has helped to create and maintain jobs in this sector and a greener economy. This March the Minister announced increases of between 25% and 50% in the grant levels awarded to householders under the scheme. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced for householders that complete three or more energy efficiency improvements. A breakdown on the amount of grants awarded under the Better Energy Programme is provided in the table below (for 2015 the figure relates to spend to date).
SEAI Programme Spend 2006-2015 (to date) Programme (spend in €m)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Greener Homes Scheme
4.3m
26.7
22.5
11.6
6.5
Home Energy Savings Scheme
n/a
n/a
1.5 (Pilot)
17.9
47.4
Better Energy Homes
16.3
45.2
57.6
28.95
13.16
9.9
3.3
BE Warmer Homes
12
30
21.4
20.5
17.55
20.7
0.55
BE Communities
n/a
n/a
n/a
1.8 (Pilot)
10.7
14.6
n/a
BE Communities - Area based
n/a
n/a
n/a
4.1
6.9
9.05
n/a
57.8
129.1
79
55.35
48.31
54.25
3.85
Totals (€m)
4.3
26.7
24
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings Scheme took its place, which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011.
*Source: Parliamentary Question replied to by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 18 May 2015
Inside – What grants are available to make your home more energy efficient?
UPGRADE YOUR HOME FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WARMTH
What grants are available? Energy Efficient Works Insulation Attic Wall - Cavity
€300 €300
Wall - Internal Dry Lining
The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants to homeowners to upgrade their homes with energy efficient measures, thereby reducing energy use and costs.** In March 2015 higher grant values and bonus payments were introduced and the scheme is now available for previous applicants to see additional works completed. It is payable in the form of a fixed cash grant though where actual expenditure is lower than the grant only the lower amount will be paid. The areas of investment covered are roof insulation, wall insulation, installation of high efficiency Gas or Oil fired boilers, heating control upgrade and solar panels. To avail of this grant you must own your own home which must have been built before 2006. It is vital to check with the Sustainable Energy Authority to make sure you meet the criteria and the rules and procedures must be adhered to and more information about the amounts, the criteria, rules and the procedures can be got from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland www.seai.ie lo-call 1850 376 666
Increased Grant Value
Apartment (any) or Mid-Terrace House
€1,200
Semi-detached or End of Terrace
€1,800
Detached House
€2,400
Wall - External Apartment (any) or Mid-Terrace House
Heating System
Semi-detached or End of Terrace
€3,400
Detached House
€4,500
Heating Controls with Boiler (Oil or Gas) Upgrade Heating Controls Upgrade only Solar Heating
Bonus
€2,250
For 3rd measure
€700 €600 €1,200 €300
There is also a Warmer Homes Scheme for households in receipt Grant For 4th measure €100 of one of the following: Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Building Energy Rating (BER) €50 Scheme; Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7); or Family Income Support., and this scheme covers free attic insulation, lagging jackets, draught proofing, cavitiy wall insulation and energy efficient light bulbs. For this scheme too the applicant must own their own home and the house must have been built before 2006. There is a waiting list and in relation to this scheme it is the SEAI who appoints the contractor having first sent a surveyor to assess the home. Contact the SEAI if you think you might be eligible and are interested in applying for this scheme.
BUILDING ENERGY RATING (BER) A Building Energy Rating Certificate indicates the energy performance of a home. It is accompanied by an Advisory Report which identifies how the energy performance can be improved. When a new or existing building is offered for sale or rent a Building Energy Rating Certificate is required. The SEAI maintains a list of currently registered BER assessors on its website www.seai.ie and advice about the cost and other issues to be considered by building owners who are obtaining a BER is available from the SEAI and the National Consumer Agency www.nca.ie phone lo-call 1890 432 432 Contact www.seai.ie Lo-call 1850 376 666 **The Source of the above information on Grants is the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland website www.seai.ie
WATER CONSERVATION GRANT The first payment of this yearly grant is to be paid in September 2015 and each subsequent year up to and including 2018. The grant of €100 will be paid to households that register with Irish Water by the 30th June 2015. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant. During late August and September all households that have registered with Irish Water by 30th June 2015 will receive a notice on how to apply for the Water Conservation Grant. You will be able to apply online for your Grant on this website from late August to early October 2015. For further information see www.watergrant.ie
TAP TIPS FOR WATER CONSERVATION ■ Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth ■ Fill the kettle with enough for your needs and save energy too ■ Use a basin in your sink to collect and reuse water for watering your plants ■ Use a bucket and sponge to clean your car instead of a hose ■ Place a displacement device such as a filled water bottle into the toilet cistern and flush less water away
More tips at taptips.ie
STOPPING WATER LEAKS The installation of water meters has made it easier to identify water pipes that are leaking. If Irish Water suspects there is a leak at a house it will inform the owner/occupier. The occupier can also monitor for leaks using the water meter. Irish Water will fix leaks in public pipes but if the leak is on the private side of the property it is the owners responsibility to locate and fix leaks. However there is going to be a free first fix scheme in relation to leaks between the dwelling and the property boundary. Further information can be obtained from Irish Water, water.ie or phone 1890 448 448.
CLIMATE CHANGE LAW A Climate Change law is being brought in by the Government. It is the Labour Party in Government that has driven this reform and made sure it was included in the Programme for Government. The law is aimed at moving Ireland to a low carbon, climate resilient economy. Under the law the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government must prepare a National Low Carbon Transition and Mitigation Plan. The plan shall specify the gas mitigation policy measures to be adopted by the Government. Before making the Plan the Minister shall engage in public consultation. Each year the Minister will make a statement to the Dail outlining climate change mitigation and adaptation measures required to achieve national objectives. Other Ministers with responsibilities for specific sectoral mitigation measures will also have to make annual statements to the Dail. This legislation takes an all Government approach to addressing climate change and it makes Ireland one of a handful of countries in Europe with National Climate Change legislation. There are also requirements regarding plans for Climate Change Adaptation measures.
5 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
1 2 3 4 5
Insulate your home – cavity walls, the attic, lagging jacket Buy locally – shipping of food burns fuel Double side print – this saves on paper too! Switch off – when you are away turn off your electronics Keep your tires properly inflated – Yes this saves on CO2!
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland www.seai.ie Lo-call 1850 376 666 National Consumer Agency www.nca.ie Lo-call 1890 432 432 South Dublin County Council www.sdcc.ie phone 414 9000 Irish Water www.water.ie phone 1890 448 448
Please note all information contained in this leaflet is general information and not definitive information about the rules and criteria and you should contact the relevant agency to get full details about your entitlements.
Joanna Tuffy TD Email: joanna.tuffy@oireachtas.ie Web: joannatuffy.ie
Robert Dowds TD
Cllr Breeda Bonner
01 618 3446 robert.dowds@oir.ie
087 413 2627 bbonner@sdublincoco.ie
Dáil Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare St., Dublin 2 Phone: 01 6183822 Constituency Office: Dispensary Lane, Lucan, Co Dublin Phone: 01 6218400
0612
Working with your local Labour Team