“I found South East Energy Agency very easy to work with. Both the administrative and technical staff were helpful, accessible, efficient and very personable.“
Helen Carroll – Homeowner, Deep Retrofit 2019
Helen’s Home
Helen upgraded her home in Kilkenny City under the Deep Retrofit programme in 2019. Helen explains how her home energy upgrade journey began. “In 2018 we purchased an old 1950s built house in need of major renovation. Our architect informed us at the time of the SEAI Deep Retrofit Scheme and that this home would most likely qualify for the grant available.”
Helen understood the scale of the project and what programme requirements were involved. “The original property was sold to us with a BER G. We were aware that in order to qualify for the deep retrofit grant it would need to be upgraded to a BER A. Due to the condition of the house we knew it would be an onerous task.”
Prior to any renovation or energy upgrade works, Helen describes the standard of her home. “The house was almost uninhabitable. Windows were rotten, no insulation, a decrepit heating system. But the structure of the house was good.”
A home of this caliber required several energy upgrades to ensure the home reached the necessary energy standard. This involved some consideration and Helen outlines the energy upgrade measures that were chosen to rejuvenate her home. “The existing house was externally insulated, triple glazed windows and doors were installed, and an extension was added to the back of the house. We decided to install underfloor heating, floor insulation, a heat pump and a MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) system.”
Following the implementation of these energy upgrades, Helen noticed a significant difference in the home. “The house went from being uninhabitable to a warm, comfortable and cosy home all year round that’s very economical to run. We increased the BER from an E to an A2.”
Helen and her family were delighted with their new home. Since moving in, Helen highlights the benefits of living in an energy efficient building. “We moved in in February 2020 and considering the fact that the entire family have been living, working and, at times, home schooling here, since then, our energy bills are surprisingly low. We love our new home. We’ve never lived somewhere like this before. With a constant, warm temperature all year round. No matter how cold it is outside, every single room is cosy every single day.”
As we come to terms with living during a pandemic, Helen provides an interesting perspective on the importance of indoor air quality. “Another thing we’re very happy with is the MVHR system. This ensures fresh, but not cold, air is circulated around our home constantly without having to open a window. It gives us great reassurance regarding air quality and ventilation in light of the current pandemic.”
Helen and her family haven’t had many opportunities to show friends and family their new home, however, for those who did get to visit, Helen recalls their remarks. “Unfortunately, we haven’t had too many visitors since we moved in but anyone who visits comments on how it manages to be bright, airy yet warm at the same time.”
Helen participated in the Deep Retrofit programme with South East Energy Agency in 2019 and fondly remembers our service. “I found South East Energy Agency very easy to work with. Both the administrative and technical staff were helpful, accessible, efficient and very personable.”
Providing words of advice to homeowners considering a home energy upgrade journey of their own, Helen emphasises the impact of such a project. “I’d highly recommend an energy upgrade. Particularly if renovating an old house. You get all the character of an older house with all the benefits of a brand new build.”
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 already 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:
South East Energy Agency 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:
South East Energy Agency 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. We will manage the contracts, timelines, materials, health and safety documents, and the contractors on site. South East Energy Agency 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.