Home Energy Saving Scheme
5th May 2009

The Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES) scheme provides grants to homeowners who are interested in improving the energy efficiency of their home in order to reduce energy use and costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is open to all owners of existing houses built before 2006. Sustainable Energy Ireland administers the scheme.

Assistance will be provided by way of fixed grants towards the costs of implementing upgrade measures. The types of measures currently eligible under this scheme are roof insulation, wall insulation, high efficiency boilers and heating control upgrades.

Grants will be provided to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements in the following area:
- Roof Insulation
- Wall Insulation – this includes either cavity wall, internal dry lining or 

  external insulation
- Installation of a High Efficiency (> 90%) Gas or Oil fired Boilers with

   Heating Controls Upgrade*
- Heating Controls Upgrade
- Building Energy Rating (BER) – you can get a grant for a BER if one is done before and after the works are completed

*Minimum requirement of: 2 zones (space and water) with 7 day programmer (time and temperature) control and boiler interlock, time and temperature control of electric immersion heater and either 1 more zone control or 3 TRV’s.
 

How much are the grants?
Grants are fixed for each type of measure as indicated in the table below. Grant approval must be in place before any purchase of materials or commencement of measures undertaken. Grants are paid after the measures are completed and the contractor has been paid by the homeowner. In the instance where the cost of the work (vat inclusive) is less than the fixed grant amount, the actual cost will be reimbursed.
 

For further information click on http://www.sei.ie/Grants/Home_Energy_Saving_Scheme/

St Mary’s GAA Club GO GREEN WITH THEIR NEWLY RENOVATED CLUBHOUSE

St Mary’s GAA Club have recently renovated their clubhouse in Ardee Co. Meath and used BioBased 1701s Insulation sprayed onto the underside of the roof sheeting.

BioBased® 1701s Insulation is a rigid insulation and when installed acts as an air barrier and a vapour barrier. BioBased® 1701s Insulation features two breakthrough technological advancements with the integration of soybean oils to replace existing petroleum oils and the inclusion of recycled content in its formula.

BioBased® 1701s provides excellent thermal performance and is effective in reducing the u-value of the building. For the purpose of u-value calculation the thermal conductivity of the product may be taken as 0.026W/mK

When sprayed to the inside of a building BioBased® 1701s bonds the structure together and enhances the structural integrity.

Curves and Spirals by Holistic Architect

BioBased 501s insulation was successfully used in the construction of the renowned holistic architect Michael Rice’s new home “Dreamfield” in Portlaoise. As most of us spend the majority of our lives indoors the implications of how we live, eat, sleep in these spaces should be seriously considered. Michael uses natural geometries, shapes, forms and growth patterns to create perfect living spaces.

The choice of building materials is also an important element in any harmonious design but particularly in the construction of a unique new build such as Dreamfield with many construction challenges and very few straight lines. Selecting BioBased 501s as the insulation of choice in this house was the right option for Michael as he could be guaranteed that it would form into every shape set out.  Creating a warm comfortable environment in this large house was essential and Michael was extremely satisfied with the final installation of the BioBased 501s material and continues to recommend this insulation to his clients.