“South East Energy Agency were always good to deal with,… It was nice to deal with a local company based in Kilkenny.“
Rachel Doherty – Homeowner, Deep Retrofit 2019
Rachel & Denis’ Home
Rachel and Denis upgraded their home under the Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme in 2019. Rachel explains how they benefitted from a home energy upgrade project on their Co. Kilkenny home.
When Rachel and Denis were moving in, they took the opportunity to upgrade the home and add their own personal touch. “We took over the family home in Co. Kilkenny after our parents decided to move and downsize. We wanted to put our own stamp on the house, so we were prepared to do a big renovation. It was the cold of the house that motivated us to upgrade to the highest energy rating possible so that the house would be comfortable for us. We also wanted the heating system of the house to be environmentally friendly and economical.” Rachel outlined their desired energy rating following the project, “we really wanted to get it to an A rating.”
Rachel describes the home before they embarked on their home energy upgrade journey. “The house is around 180 years old. The pre works BER was E2. It had double glazed aluminium framed windows, oil central heating and 5 open fires, of which only 2 were in use. The house was in excellent condition, no damp whatsoever, just cold and in need of modernisation. The insulation, where present, was not effective.”
To reach the desired energy rating, many energy upgrades were needed. Rachel explains how they had to choose the appropriate measures to suit the old home. “We decided on an air to water heating system with underfloor heating system on the ground floor and radiators at first floor level, with a heat recovery air ventilation system. This means we did not have to vent through all the old 600mm thick walls. We also decided on triple glazed windows. We chose an insulation system that worked with the old stone/lime mortar walls – ISOVER Optima Dry Lining system, this allowed the walls to breathe.”
Implementing these energy upgrades was a substantial amount of work, which coincided with the whole home renovation. Rachel describes the process and the scale of such a project. “The house was stripped back to the bare bones. All the sub-standard internal dry lining and plaster was taken off the walls. The timber ground floors were removed and replaced with insulated concrete floors. All ceilings were removed and replaced. The house had to be completely replumbed and rewired to current standards. The old windows and doors were taken out and replaced.”
Following the completion of the works, Rachel and Denis were delighted with their upgraded home. “Our home is now warm all the time, with constant hot water and ventilation. It is a pleasure to live in! Triple glazed windows mean we have no noise from the animals outside, especially the crows!!”
Rachel and Denis recall the words of friends and family on their arrival to the recently improved home. “The few visitors that we have had (because of Covid!!) have all commented on how warm and cosy the house is! Some cannot believe that it was possible to get it to an A2 energy rating.”
Rachel and Denis applied for the Deep Retrofit programme with us in 2019. We guided Rachel and Denis on their home energy upgrade journey, from initial home assessment to completion of the works. “South East Energy Agency were always good to deal with, it was nice to deal with a local company based in Kilkenny.”
For homeowners who are considering a home energy upgrade project of their own, Rachel and Denis have the following advice. “We would recommend going ahead and upgrade to the current energy standards. The difference in comfort is so worth it. It is life changing!”
Insulation Upgrade
Heat Pump
Ventilation System
Windows & Doors replaced
Contact our experts today to get started on your project
Before filling in the form, please follow this brief checklist:
- Make sure your home is within our region
- 3 or more energy upgrades are recommended
- Stone walls and protected structures are unlikely to satisfy grant criteria
- Read our 3 Stage delivery process and associated fees
How can South East Energy Agency help?
South East Energy Agency has 10+ years’ experience in coordinating energy retrofit projects for homeowners. That ensures a quality retrofit focus for clients. We have helped complete retrofits on more than 2,500 houses as well as 500 deep retrofits since 2012.
We can project manage the entire process for clients – from your initial application right through to completion and sign-off.
Our One Stop Shop – 3 Stage Process is as follows:
Stage 1:
We will visit your home, complete a home assessment and provide a bespoke energy report. This report will outline the most economic and best quality solution to get to a B2 rating. This will include:
o Measures required to meet B2 rating
o Estimated Costs of proposed measures
o Estimated Grant of proposed measures
Stage 2:
3cea will publish the BER report (a requirement for the grant application) while procuring the best qualified contractor to price the works. The contractor will finalise the costs of each measure and will give us a programme for when the works can be completed. We will apply for the grant on your behalf as part of the National Home Retrofit Scheme. Final figures, including your grant, will be provided to help make your final decision to proceed.
Stage 3:
the contractor will arrive on site to complete the measures. South East Energy Agency will manage the contracts, timelines, materials, health and safety documents, and the contractors on site. We will be providing any assistance necessary and we will be available to answer all questions that you may have throughout the project. South East Energy Agency will ensure the quality and standards meet SEAI and building regulations. The final BER report will then be published and provided to you after the completion of the project.
Once on the One Stop Shop Journey, South East Energy Agency will ensure you get peace of mind and ultimately gain a comfortable and energy efficient home.
There will be a fixed fee for Stage 1 & 2, while there will be a % fee for Stage 3.
Stage 1 – €595 (ExVAT)
Stage 2 – €1,400 (ExVAT)
Stage 3 – 7.5% of total cost of works (range €1,500 – €4,500 depending on costs of works)
Homeowners can end the journey at any stage and will only be liable for fees for the stage they leave on.
