Free, no obligation energy workshops for home and business owners in Kilkenny

Home and business owners, community groups and housing associations across Kilkenny who are anxious to save energy costs, lower carbon emissions and increase the comfort of their buildings are encouraged to attend a free, no obligation information session with the trusted energy and retrofit experts for the region.

A number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes are now open for energy upgrades, with up to 80 per cent of the costs covered. The information session, hosted by the award-winning 3 Counties Energy Agency (3CEA), will explain each scheme and how the public can benefit in an easy to follow way.

The free information event for home owners runs at Loughboy Library in Kilkenny on Wednesday, November 27.The free session for non-domestic projects takes place in Windgap Community Hall in Kilkenny the same evening at 7pm. A separate information evening for non-domestic projects runs at Carlow Cathedral Parish Centre at 7pm on Thursday, November 28.

The not-for-profit energy experts primarily work across counties Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford. Their information sessions for the domestic and non-domestic grant schemes will explain the benefits of upgrades and amounts of supports available to homeowners. It’s all part of their drive to make the wider south east one of the most energy efficient regions in Ireland.

3CEA will discuss how to achieve the best results, even on the tightest budget. They will detail how they can completely project-manage such works from start to finish, if required, to include pre-application house surveys, submitting the grant application, procuring the works to ensure best value for money and quality of project for homeowners, right through to compete sign off.

Details of the generous Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) supports for the various sectors and several degrees of works will be unveiled, 3CEA’s Senior Energy Engineer, Alexandra Hamilton, says. Some apply to domestic homes, others to group housing schemes or community associations, while more are best applied to business and properties that require a complete overhaul.

“The grants available range from 35% - 80% for domestic works, depending on programme and measures being completed, to 30% funding for public sector, commercial and SME works and up to 50% for community or not-for-profit groups and housing associations. We will take people through the various SEAI schemes and help them choose the one that best suits their needs,” she said.

Details of the 50 per cent grant funded Major Renovation programme, formerly Deep Retrofit, will be explained in detail, she added. It is expected to spur more people to carry out major works on homes or buildings that leak energy. It is also expected to boost the purchase and redevelopment of homes and buildings not occupied for several years, Fergal Cantwell, 3CEA Housing Officer explained.

“As the name suggests, Major Renovation focuses on the major retrofit of houses or buildings constructed to less stringent building standards than currently exist. Works covered include external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation and internal wall insulation, floor insulation, roof/attic insulation, including the required roof ventilation works, as well as heat pumps, including radiators and underfloor heating.

“Major Renovation also covers windows and doors, PV solar panels, demand-controlled ventilation, air tightness measures and the cost of a wood-burning stove.”

In Kilkenny, 3CEA has worked with many groups, including Windgap Community Centre, where this event will be held. Together, they completed a number of energy upgrades including floor insulation, external wall insulation, lighting, windows and doors, and a boiler upgrades. The estimated energy savings will reduce the annual bills by €630 a year and increase the thermal comfort to its users. Members of Windgap will be there to tell their story and give first-hand experience of their project.

SOS, located in Kilkenny city, has completed a number of energy upgrades under the 2016 and 2017 BEC programmes, completing insulation, heating & lighting upgrades throughout their facilities. SOS were nominated and shortlisted for the SEAI Energy Awards in 2018 for these projects, which has helped reduce bill and make the centre much more comfortable for its users. Piped radiators now supply heat throughout each of the 2,000 m2 buildings and thermostats control the zone pump which supplies this heat. Roof and cavity wall insulation was also upgraded as part of the works, reducing heating demand. Overall savings are in the region of 17,700 kWh and over €9,000 per year.

Carlow and Kilkenny County Council have upgraded a number of their own buildings and facilities through SEAIs BEC grant programmes from 2013 – 2018. One example include heating controls, attic insulation & lighting upgrade at Loughboy Library, which will save an estimated €1625 per year.

The workshops are perfect for anyone who is looking to complete any type of energy works in 2019, including insulation works, lighting, heating, windows, heat pumps, PV or any other measure where energy is saved.

For more, log on to www.3CEA.ie