Grants to Assist Your Home Energy Improvements
Greener Homes Scheme of SEAI is one of the three key renewable energy and conservation grants available in Ireland for domestic systems. Currently the third phase of the scheme is in operation proving it’s popularity. The scheme will make grants for only existing dwellings where you intend to have the existing heating system replaced with a new renewable energy heating system and not for any under construction or awaiting approval.( In this article an “existing dwelling’ refers to a house in Ireland, constructed prior to July 2008).
In addition the scheme is open only to those individuals who;
- Are home owners
- Installing approved and eligible products ( ie. registered with SEAI) – either a
- Wood chip/pellet boiler or stove with back boiler or a standalone stove
- Wood gasification boiler
- Solar thermal system
- Heat pump based heating system
- Are using installers registered with SEAI
- Intend to retrofit or install a new renewable energy heating system in their existing home built of course prior to July 2008
If you satisfy the above basic conditions you are eligible to apply for the Greener Home grants. The grant scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who also makes available the necessary funding.
Importance of Renewable Energy
Ireland is a country which does not have sufficient fossil fuel resources for it’s daily needs. For example 91% of fuel utilized in this country in 2006 was in fact imported. All petroleum products we burn for our home heating, cooling, electricity generation, transportation etc are imported from other countries which by virtue of their valuable possessions assume a position to interfere and dictate terms to other countries-at times even in their internal affairs. The drain of valuable foreign exchange out of the country is staggering. The irony of it is that the fossil fuels thus purchased at such enormous cost to the country’s economy also ruin the environment that sustains life on this planet by the emission of green house gases in the combustion process.
Fortunately, Ireland is rich in scarcely utilized resources which are renewable and devoid of all draw-backs cited earlier.
These are:
- Solar thermal energy
- Wind power
- Flowing water
- Geothermal energy and
- Bio mass
How much can you expect from the grant?
The following is a brief list of level of funding currently available.
Technology/product Grant value maximum (Euro)
| Technology/product | Grant value maximum (Euro) |
|---|---|
| Biomass – Boiler | 2,500 |
| Biomass – Stove | 800 |
| Biomass – Stove with integral back boiler | 1,400 |
| Heat Pump – Vertical Ground | 3,500 |
| Heat Pump – Horizontal Ground | 2,500 |
| Heat Pump – Water to water | 2,500 |
| Heat Pump – Air Source | 2,000 |
| Solar –Flat Plate | 250/m2 (to max. of 6m2 ) |
| Solar –Evacuated Tube | 300/m2 (to max. of 6m2 ) |
The above are maximum values that an installation can expect as a grant which will depend on a number of other factors like the size and value of equipment, type of equipment etc. Also notably solar PV panels which generate electricity through the electrical/physical properties of semiconductor material is not included.
Interested in Greener Homes and other Renewable Energy Grants Schemes in Ireland?
Greentech.ie is providing free consultancy and advice on the whole scheme and how you may be benefitted in capital cost and save tons of money, in the years to come. Call them today on Call Save 1890 245 345 for your appointment.
Looking for an approved installer? Call King Group on call save 045 838376 or Email at kinggroup.ie .
