Kildare homeowner cuts his energy bills by almost 50%

Background

Thomas Lordan, originally from West Cork, moved to Maynooth, County Kildare over thirty years ago. He purchased his current home only a few years ago. When he moved in, he noticed how cold it was and how he had to spend almost twice as much on heating to keep it warm. 

He knew something had to be done: “I had to do something to improve the heat around the house and to get us to a comfortable living state”. Thomas started doing his research online and educating himself on all the different energy upgrades he could carry out and what grants were available.  That’s when he discovered the SEAI One Stop Shop grant route.  Home Comfort Retrofits (HCR), a registered One Stop Shop and based in a neighbouring town, Kilcock, seemed like an obvious place to start. 

He reached out to see if they could meet and advise on the next steps. Home Comfort Retrofits carried out a ‘home energy assessment’ on Thomas’s house. This means an assessor reviews the house’s energy use and needs. They then produce a detailed report, which outlines the best upgrades to bring your home up to a B2 BER rating or better, and an estimate for the cost of these retrofit works.

There was a lot for Thomas to consider, particularly as it was such a big investment for him. Following another uncomfortable cold winter in the house, Thomas had enough and reached for the phone again. He contacted HCR to kick start his retrofit project.  

The project

“I went with their full list of recommendations”, Thomas said. HCR looked after the paperwork, provided all the contractors, and managed the project from start to finish.

The upgrades included:  

• External Wall Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Attic Insulation
• Windows and Doors
• Heat Pump
• Heating Controls
• Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery system
• Solar PV.

Each upgrade played its part in a full home transformation:

• Insulation, new windows, and doors now keep precious heat inside.
• The heat pump provides steady, comfortable warmth using renewable energy.
• Heating controls allow Thomas to adjust radiator temperatures room by room, reducing waste.
• The MVHR system continuously replaces stale, damp air with fresh, filtered air.
• Solar PV now generates clean energy and helps to reduce Thomas’s electricity costs.

Results

The impact was immediate. The BER went from C to A1, making it incredibly energy efficient. It was the best outcome Thomas could have asked for. 

“I find the house very comfortable to live in now. I’ve gone through my first winter and I just got my first energy bill there, probably two weeks ago and it is down 49% of what I normally would be paying. The rewards are showing already.” said Thomas.

But for Thomas, the benefits aren’t just financial. The improved indoor air quality from the MVHR system has eased his and his son’s asthma symptoms. Overall, he finds the house a more comfortable place, especially when he is working from home all day.

Thomas highly recommends the One Stop Shop grant route “Talk to people, talk to other people who’ve done it and proceed with the best options suitable to your home. They will improve your energy efficiency as well as your comfort”.

For Thomas, the decision to upgrade wasn’t just about lowering bills. It was about making his home warmer, healthier, and a more comfortable place to live for home and his family, for years to come.