News:

 

Grants for your solar panels!
Click here to go to SEI website.

 

 

 

How to Apply
Phase III Application and Evaluation Procedure

Before applying, applicants are advised to read the Scheme Application Guide and relevant support documentation.
Application should be made on the Scheme Application Form and sent to:
Greener Homes Scheme
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Glasnevin
Dublin 9

Once a completed application form has been received it will be evaluated by SEI against the above Approval Criteria. If approved, a Letter of Offer will be issued to the applicant. The offer will only be validated upon the applicant indicating the applicant's acceptance of offer by returning a signed copy of the Letter of Offer to SEI, which must be received within 30 days of date of issue.

The grant offer remains valid for 12 months from the date of issue of the Letter of Offer. The offer will automatically lapse after this date.

Qualification Criteria

The following conditions will apply in the evaluation of grant applications and all conditions must be met in advance of any approval of a grant.

• Applicant must confirm that the dwelling for which they are applying is an existing dwelling, has an existing heating system and has been occupied for a minimum of one year.
• Applicant must be the homeowner and must have full possession of the property where the system is to be installed.
• Applicant must fully complete the Greener Homes Application Form with information valid at time of application.
• Applicant must supply bank account and sort code details to facilitate electronic payment of the grant. (Please note that currently we cannot process EBS and Credit Union accounts).
• Applicant must agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme (see Section 11 of the Application Guide). Product must be listed, at the date of application, on the Registered Product List (available on request or online at www.sei.ie/greenerhomes )
• Installer must be listed, at the date of application and on the date of system commissioning, on the Registered Installer List.
• SEI must still have adequate funding available to it pursuant to the relevant phase of the Scheme in order to be able to approve the relevant application
  If you have any queries please call 1850 734 734 or email greenerhomes@sei.ie

 

Energy at Home

The home is one of the largest users of energy in Ireland. It accounts for almost a quarter of the energy used in the country, more than either transport or industry.
Be Energy Aware

Energy is essential to the comfort of our homes to provide heat and electricity however there are lots of ways we can be more efficient in how we use energy while still meeting all our energy needs. By becoming energy aware at home you can save money, increase the comfort of your home and also help to combat climate change.
The Energy Saving Tips section details a range of tips on how to become more energy efficient in our everyday lives, allowing us to save money and help the environment at the same time.

Our Home Energy Survey section offers advice on energy-saving home improvements, and ways to monitor and calculate the cost of your energy use.
You can also find out about the energy efficiency of your home appliances through the Appliance Labelling section.

There are also lots of ways to be more efficient in the journeys we make every day. Find out more in our section on Personal Transport.
SEI has leaflets on all aspects of sustainable energy at home which you can download from our Your Home Publications section. If you would like a hard copy, please email your details to info@sei.ie

Where is heat lost in the home?

Attic

Up to 20% of heat lost from a home is lost through the roof. Effective attic insulation can pay for itself within two to three years.

Hot Water Cylinder

A lagging jacket on the hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself within a few months.

Windows

For a given area of wall or window, a window will allow up to eight times more heat to escape.

Walls

As much as one quarter of the heat lost from a house can be lost through the walls. Properly insulating walls can reduce this by two-thirds.

Draughts

Badly fitting windows and external doors can account for more than one-sixth of heat loss.

Ground floor

Heat loss to the ground depends on several factors, including floor type, whether house is one or two-storey, nature of soil and terraced or detached construction.

 

What is the Electricity Use Awareness Trial?

The Electricity Awareness Trial is a pilot programme being run by SEI to see how providing customers with information on their energy use can influence how and when they use electricity. The lessons learnt from this will also help to see what actions could be taken nationally.

A range of trials are being carried out in households, schools and businesses throughout Ireland during 2008 to test consumer responses to various types and formats of information on electricity use.

There are over 500 participants who have been selected and recruited based on location and previous engagements with SEI. All participants receive an electricity display monitor and information on monitoring electricity usage, identifying demands and potential ways of saving electricity.
The effectiveness of the electricity display monitors will be evaluated by monitoring changes in electricity usage and also through surveys and questionnaires which participants are requested to fill out.

For more information please see 
Your Guide to Electricity Display Monitors
Top Tips for Household Electricity Saving

 

Building Industry and Design Professionals Vital to Meeting Government Energy Efficiency Targets
Media Information
22nd July 2008

Competition Launched To Design Buildings With Exemplary Energy Standards
A major forum of over 300 building industry professionals was told today that significant upskilling is required across the industry if Government targets for the energy performance of buildings are to be achieved. The event, Sustainable Architecture Now, was organised by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in association with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The forum was opened by Mr. Eamon Ryan, Minister for Energy, Communications and Natural Resources who announced a new support scheme for housing projects that demonstrate ambitious low energy and low carbon strategies and technologies. Also announced at the forum was a new competition inviting architects to design three building types exemplifying superior energy performance standards. These conceptual designs will include a new primary school, a housing retrofit, and an RIAI extension building.
Members of the architecture, construction, engineering and surveying professions attending the forum were provided with practical guidance on detailed sustainable design approaches aimed at meeting or surpassing the Governments energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets for the built environment.

 

These targets have been set as part of the National Energy Efficiency Plan for Ireland 2007 “ 2020 which commits to a 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. Two thirds of this will come from the built environment with over 50% set to come from the residential sector. The conference follows the introduction of new building regulations this month which will result in a 40% improvement in energy efficiency and a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions for new homes.

Brendan Halligan, Chairman, SEI said; Government has put in place strong policy measures, in the form of both regulations and incentives, to significantly improve the energy performance of the built environment and to meet the demanding targets which have been set. Delivering on these targets and the longer term ambition of low or zero carbon buildings will require an unprecedented level of mobilization and response from the entire building industry. Todays event is a significant step in equipping the design professions in particular to rise to this challenge.

“ Laoire, President, RIAI said; Sustainable design needs to be part of normal practice in the built environment. Architects are at the forefront of delivering on this. If our commitments to preventing climate change are to be delivered on, then how we design and make our buildings is a critical factor. The RIAI, in association with SEI and the OPW, aim to build a database of best practice, so that architects can become the pathfinders, thought leaders, and practitioners of sustainable design in all its aspects.

Pat Cooney, OPW commented; As the major provider of buildings for Government, the Office of Public Works occupies a special position in contributing to Irelands national policy commitments on sustainable energy and CO2 abatement. Our activities in the area of sustainable design expanded in the last decade and are now at the core of our practice and professional responsibilities in construction. Furthermore, they underpin our commitments to the Kyoto Protocol, the National Biodiversity Plan and the Government Policy on Architecture.
 

Testimonials

"Our new solar system has been of great benefit to us, we would use or shower 12-14 times a week, and our two children use the bath also. Now all this is coming from your solar system for most of the year.  We are amazed at how much hot water we are getting even in Irish weather.  Thank you very much for providing such a good service and we will be recommending MP Solar highly to everyone we know."

Dermot & Emer O'Shea

 

"This is to verify that MP Solar installed solar tubes in our house.  Since installing solar tubes in February we did not have to use immersion, which has been a great saving to our ESB bill.  We have constant hot water which is a great advantage.  We were very satisfied with the service provided by Matthew and his work men.  We would highly recommend Mp solar system to anyone."

Denis O'Sullivan

 

"We are in our new house at last and writing to tell you how satisfied we are with the solar system.. It is the best thing since "sliced bread" we have hot water for free all the time and in this climate that's almost impossible to believe.  So thank you and MP solar system.  Thanks a million.

Rodger and Mary Cummins