Home Energy Pilot Scheme Announced By SEI

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has unveiled a summary of its Home Energy Savings Pilot Scheme.

Through the Home Energy Saving Pilot Scheme, up to 2,000 householders will receive a grant to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Under the Cluster Strand of the Scheme, grants of up to €2,000 will be offered to householders who can apply along with friends, neighbours or a range of other groupings to form a cluster expression of interest.

The objective of the Cluster Strand is to investigate what economies of scale are achievable when a group of householders get together and install common energy saving measures through a single installer.

Summary of the grant scheme

• Grants of up to 30% to a maximum of €2,000 per home
• Applicants must apply as a cluster. SEI suggest that the cluster should be at least 10 homes, however the absolute condition is that a minimum of 5 properties must proceed with at least one of the same recommended measures in order to qualify for the grant
• A cluster lead household, residents association or homeowner must be appointed through which the process and correspondence will be managed
• All homes may have a home energy assessment carried out and an energy saving report will be provided. This will cost the householder €100
• Grants will typically be available for wall, attic or roof insulation, heating controls and double glazing
• Landlords and owners of multiple properties may also apply
• The scheme would be of particular interest to Residents Associations who may also apply
• Each cluster member must complete an expression of interest form, (in the case of landlords, multiple property owners etc, an expression of interest must be submitted in respect of each property)
• There is no fixed list of approved installers - the customer can choose their installer

Funding for the cluster strand is limited in 2008 and likely to support a total of 500 homes. While there is no specific closing date, all remedial works must be completed by end November, 2008 and SEI has encouraged early expression of interests as they will be treated on a first-come-first-served basis.


The Cluster Strand is being project managed by Enact Energy Ltd on behalf of Sustainable Energy Ireland is available nationwide.

The firm said it is sure the Home Energy Saving Pilot scheme would be of interest to households, residents associations.

It said it is expecting a large uptake on this scheme so early applications are most likely to be accepted.

(PR/JM)