Meath homeowner upgraded his home from a BER D1 to a BER A3 and are now enjoying the comfort levels one can expect to feel in an energy efficient home.

  • Comfort

    A much warmer, more comfortable home
  • Low cost

    Low energy bills as using less energy
  • A3 BER

    Upgraded from a D1

About The Project

Robert Settino and his wife Birgit decided to move to Trim, County Meath in Spring 2021. Originally from Boston, Robert was looked for a new home in Trim and jumped at the chance when they saw a suitable home in Trim come on the market for sale in the town.

"I'm crazy enough to have bought and paid for a house online!" Robert says.

Originally built in 1979, engineers first came to the house and inspected it in detail. Unfortunately, the house had not been well built or well-maintained. In addition to the works that the house clearly required, there were further issues.

"The one thing that I noticed in addition to the work that needed to be done, was the house was cold and I knew just walking around, bare-foot, that I could feel the chill in the house."

Robert found out through a family member living in County Meath about the Home Energy Upgrade scheme from the SEAI.

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Works completed

The Home Energy Upgrade included the installation of a new Air to Water Heat Pump system, operating at 12 KW. The Air to Water Heat Pump is the most common heat pump system. It extracts heat from external air using an outside unit.

SEAI provides grants for the installation of this type of heat pump system, with grants of up to €4,500 for an installation for any apartment type and up to €6,500 for any semi-detached, detached, end of terrace or mid-terrace house.

The upgrade also involved the replacement of all existing radiators in the house with termostatic radiator valves, the installation of new triple glazed windows, in addition to external and internal wall insulation and mineral wool attic insulation.

"We have triple glazed windows, in the attic. We have 18 inches of wool insulation. So when I think about sitting here in my warm house, I realise I've got 18 inches of wool insulation above me!"

The Outcome

Robert and his wife Birgit notice a night and day difference in their new home, feeling the warmth and comfort as soon as you walk through the door. The energy rating of the home has gone from a D1 to an A3. This is an amazing uplift.

"Something we didn't expect, and this is sort of a funny benefit, we live somewhat close to a busy road, and when the doors and windows are closed, it's completely quiet here, you hear nothing."

"The contractor we worked with was great because they did all of the paperwork." Robert confirmed that they had advised him and Birgit right from the beginning of the project

On completion of the project, Robert and Birgit received 25% of their investment back via a grant from SEAI.

"It was the right move and it was a good move!"