194 home energy upgrades completed in Leitrim in first half of 2023

There have been 194 home energy upgrades completed in Leitrim in the first half of 2023 with strong delivery and demand and applications across all schemes up 41 per cent nationally.

Free energy upgrades for low-income households are up a significant 20 per cent with 2,346 fully funded upgrades completed nationally to date this year. 

The figures were reported this week by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who stated that there were 21,727 home energy upgrades supported through Government funded SEAI grant schemes in the first half of 2023. This represents a 150 per cent increase on the same period last year, and suggests activity is on track to meet or surpass the 37,000 upgrades target for 2023. 

The figures revealed that SEAI processed more than 31,500 grant applications across all schemes, up 41 per cent on the same period last year and that solar PV property upgrades are up 231 per cent over last year, rising significantly following the Government’s move to cut VAT. 

7,566 homes were upgraded to a BER B2 or higher, up 210 per cent on last year and 2,346 property upgrades were completed through programmes focused on homes at risk of fuel poverty, up 20 per cent on the same period last year. 

Also, 7,122 attic and 5,641 cavity wall upgrades were supported which is one of the most effective ways to make a home warmer and more efficient. 

Expenditure across all schemes was €129.9m, up 121% on the same period last year. 

Commenting on the report, Dr Ciaran Byrne, Director of National Retrofit at SEAI said:  “We are very pleased that overall demand has remained very strong across all schemes. Clearly, the increased grant values and new grant options introduced last year have made home energy upgrades much more appealing to homeowners. The removal of VAT on solar panels has driven significant demand on this programme and it is likely to continue into the third and fourth quarters of 2023.  

On the supply side, the additional registration of five one stop shops this quarter points to continued strong interest in the longer-term economic opportunities offered. We anticipate the increased supply to further drive demand and cost competitiveness.” 

For the first time the report also profiles the average cost for comprehensive home energy upgrades in the first full year of operations of the One Stop Shop scheme. Across more than 300 homes already upgraded from an average BER of E1 to A3 or better, the average cost is €38,200 after grant. 

For more information on Home Energy Upgrades visit: www.seai.ie/home-energy/home- upgrades