1970s dormer bungalow upgraded to a BER A2
Kildare family create their dream home transforming their uninsulated bungalow into an A-rated airtight house.
About Paul's home
Paul's family home in Kildare was built in 1971 and had no insulation in the ceilings or walls, so it was very difficult to heat and keep warm. If they left the house for the weekend, they would come back to find it very cold. They knew something needed to be done.
Home Energy Upgrade
When it came to giving his home an energy upgrade, Paul's knowledge was very limited, so he left it to the experts to design the best system that would suit his home and his family's needs.
The house was close to the road, so they wanted triple glazed windows to drown out the noise. The family didn't want to have to buy turf or briquettes anymore or fill the tank with oil.
Home Comfort Retrofits took over and looked after the project from start to finish.
Upgrade works
Paul decided to use a trusted contractor to manage his project. He applied for the Heat Pump grant himself. Energy upgrades carried out included:
- Triple glazed windows
- Underfloor heating
- Wall and roof insulation
- Heat pump
- Zoned heating
- Mechanical ventilation
- Solar panels
The Result
Paul's family now enjoy a warm and comfortable home with a constant level of heat that they don't have to worry about.
The now A-rated house has been transformed and is controlled by stats with a mechanical ventilation system that has a constant flow of fresh air.
The entire house runs off the solar panels and if there's not enough electricity being generated, the system will pull from the grid.
Interested in a Home Energy Upgrade?
SEAI offer two grant routes for homeowners looking to carry out a home energy upgrade. Either via the Individual Energy Upgrade route or the One Stop Shop.
In 2023, the average cost of One Stop Shop services and grants for homeowners was just under €33,000 for mid-terraced homes, and 38,500 for semi-detached/end-terrace homes.
The One Stop Shop approach lifts the BER of homes, with average BER uplifts in 2023 going from as low as E1 up to A2.