Can I get a grant to insulate my home?
Q What has happened to the home energy grant? We wanted to put in more insulation during the summer and perhaps upgrade our boiler. Now I read in my local paper that the grant has gone?
A That is not quite accurate. There may have been headlines in your local paper that the grant had gone but it has just changed name – and has been reduced. For some time, there has been a Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The HES name is now gone and earlier this month the grant was brought under the Better Energy Homes programme. The bad news is that along with the name change came significant reductions in the value of the grant. For example the grant for cavity wall insulation has been reduced from €400 to €320; heating control upgrades from €500 to €400; heating control upgrades with new HE boiler from €700 to €560, and the very significant reduction for solar panels which go from up to €1,800 to a flat rate of €800.
The Building Energy Rating (BER) grant has been reduced from €100 to €80 – and you must get a BER survey as part of this programme. The minimum grant amount for the first application must be €400. A BER grant, where applicable, does not count towards the €400 minimum.
Grants are claimed after the measures have been completed and the contractor has been paid by or entered a financing agreement with the homeowner. So you may still be able to do your upgrade work but be aware of the new grant levels. It is important also that you follow correct procedure in applying for the grants. So consult seai.ie for details.
Do I need permission if I’m not extending?
Q We are looking for a fixer-upper in Dublin 6 but most of the houses are protected structures. They are large and do not require extending, so would we still need planning permission?
A The rules governing protected structures are very different from “ordinary” houses and you would be well advised to swot up on them while you are house hunting. Go to Dublin City Council’s helpful website dublincity.ie. In a protected structure, planning permission doesn’t just relate to extensions, you need it for all sorts of work from replacing windows to knocking internal walls. According to the council, “Works can be carried out without planning permission only if the works would not affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure that contributes to its special interest. Depending on the nature of the structure, planning permission could, for example, be required for interior decorating such as plastering or painting.”
It’s difficult to do much in a protected structure that’s a fixer-upper without planning permission so you should consider getting an architect on board during your house hunt – or at least when you have a shortlist. An architect experienced in this area will be able to advise you on what you are getting into.
Your questions
Send your queries to Property questions, The Irish Times,The Irish Times Building, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail propertyquestions@irishtimes.com. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice.
