Delivering warmer, healthier homes for older residents in Mountmellick
A major retrofit project at Wolfe Tone Court in Mountmellick, Co. Laois has transformed 24 homes for older residents, bringing every dwelling to an A1 rating.
Background
Wolfe Tone Court, a private housing development, was established in 2003 following the efforts of a local voluntary committee, Mountmellick Voluntary Housing Association (MVHA). The goal was to provide safe and secure housing for older people from Mountmellick and the surrounding parishes.
After securing a suitable site opposite the Garda Station, the group obtained funding through the Department of Housing's Capital Assistance Scheme and raised approximately €300,000 locally to complete the project. The development was completed in 2006 and consists of 24 independent living homes and a community hall.
Since then, the committee has continued to invest in the development to ensure residents enjoy high-quality homes and facilities. The recent energy upgrade formed part of this long-term commitment and will help keep homes warm, comfortable and energy efficient for years to come.
The project
Like many homes built in the early 2000s, the houses at Wolfe Tone Court no longer met modern energy performance standards. While well maintained, the dwellings had poor energy ratings, meaning they were not good at retaining heat. The houses got cold very quickly when the heating was turned off resulting in high energy bills and poor levels of comfort for the residents.
For older residents, maintaining a warm, comfortable home is essential to health, wellbeing and quality of life. The committee recognised the opportunity to significantly improve living conditions while reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
“The house was comfortable but it was very hard to heat especially the sitting room and the hallway. You were using storage heaters and they were very expensive,” said John, one of the residents.
The solution
Following a recommendation, MVHA engaged KH Energy Services to assess the homes and identify opportunities for improvement. The company carried out home energy assessments and developed a retrofit plan to significantly improve the energy performance of the development.
Through the SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme, MVHA secured €484,000 in grant funding towards a retrofit programme valued at approximately €950,000. KH Energy Services managed the grant application process and delivered the project as coordinator and contractor.
SEAI’s Community Energy Grant Scheme supports energy efficiency upgrades in homes, community facilities and businesses across Ireland through capital funding and technical support.
The energy upgrade works carried out included:
- Triple-glazed windows
- New composite doors
- Enhanced attic insulation
- Mechanical ventilation systems
- Solar PV panels
- Air-to-water heat pumps
- New radiators
Together, these measures dramatically reduced heat loss, improved indoor comfort and enabled the homes to operate using modern, low-carbon heating technology.
The results
The retrofit has delivered exceptional outcomes for residents and the wider community. All 24 homes achieved an A1 BER rating, representing a substantial improvement from their original C and D ratings.
Residents now benefit from warmer homes, improved indoor air quality, reduced draughts and more reliable hot water. Modern ventilation systems and improved insulation have created more comfortable living conditions throughout the year.
The combination of fabric upgrades, heat pumps and solar PV panels has reduced the energy needed to heat and power each home, helping to shield residents from rising energy costs. “The heating is great. I love the heating. Honest to God, I got rid of my dryer. I don't miss it at all. My clothes are dry overnight in the room. The next morning they're bone dry, which is great,” says Noreen, who is John’s wife.
Residents are in credit with their energy providers during the summer months thanks to lower energy demand and electricity generated by the solar PV systems.
The project also demonstrates how community-led housing organisations can contribute to Ireland’s decarbonisation goals while delivering meaningful benefits for residents.
Next steps
MVHA plans to continue investing in Wolfe Tone Court and its residents. Future plans include further improvements to the community hall and wider estate infrastructure to ensure the development remains a safe, resilient and welcoming place for older people to live.
The success of the project highlights the impact that community-led initiatives can have when combined with targeted energy efficiency supports. Through the SEAI Community Energy Grant Scheme, Wolfe Tone Court has secured a more sustainable future while delivering tangible benefits to residents today.
Community Energy Grant (opens in a new tab)
