Three quarters (76% ) of Irish homeowners have, or plan to make their homes more energy efficient.
That’s according to new research by Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders' merchants. Reducing energy bills (45% ) is the key reason for homeowners carrying out work followed by making a home warmer for the winter months (30% ) while 16% say they want to make their home more environmentally friendly.
Of those who have recently made improvements to their home, more than half (54% ) insulated the attic, 41% switched to more energy efficient lighting and 26% insulated external walls. Those who plan to carry out work in the near future are also planning similar upgrades. However, a third of those planning to carry out work also say they want to add solar panels to their home.
The research examining attitudes of homeowners towards retrofitting was carried out to launch Chadwicks Group’s partnership with YourRetrofit.ie – Ireland's most comprehensive retrofit platform which gives homeowners free, personalised advice on how to upgrade their homes’ Building Energy Rating (BER ). YourRetrofit.ie houses everything you need to know about retrofitting and offers very specific advice based on the details of an individual’s home and tailored to their budget. It begins by identifying where the home is deficient and then provides a clear set of options regarding what work to carry out to improve the home’s BER including detailed costs estimates information on available grants and other savings that can be achieved.
The platform makes it easy for those planning work on their home to optimise their budgets and get the best value when it comes to improved energy performance and the maximum available grants. It will also estimate the energy and mortgage savings per home after the work is complete, and the increase in the property’s value.
As part of the partnership, visitors to the site will be provided with a detailed breakdown of the materials required to get the job done from Chadwicks. They can also book a free appointment with a member of the Chadwicks team to come into their local branch or avail of an online or phone consultation to receive expert advice on the options for their home as well as the best products and materials required. Finally, the platform will connect users with local SEAI approved contractors.
BER Rating knowledge
More than three quarters of homeowners (76% ) are familiar with BER in relation to homes, while 8 in 10 (80% ) are familiar with the term retrofit. 63% are aware of the BER of their own home, while just over half (52% ) have had a BER assessment.
Ensuring the home is considered energy efficient (51% ) is the top reason why homeowners get a BER assessment, followed by learning how to improve a home’s energy efficiency (41% ). Costs come into play for almost three in 10 (29% ), who consider the potential to save money the most important factor. When it comes to buying or building a home, BER is a consideration for almost two thirds (64% ) of potential buyers.
Costs and uncertainty top the barriers to home improvements
When it comes to reasons not to carry out retrofitting work, cost is the main barrier for almost two thirds (64% ). Uncertainty also comes into play, with a quarter (25% ) unsure of what work would deliver the best impact, and 17% admitting they don’t know where to start.
Homeowners are missing out on crucial government grants
With cost being a major factor in deciding whether to carry out upgrades to the home, the Chadwicks Group research found that homeowners could be missing out on thousands worth of government grants. One in five (22% ) admit they’re not at all familiar with government SEAI grants, while almost half (49% ) say they’re only slightly familiar. When asked how they funded work to their home, just 22% availed of a government SEAI grant, 61% used their savings, while 23% went to the bank or Credit Union for a loan.
