In my previous post, I highlighted the fact that householders who carry out work to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, after carrying out a BER assessment, would then have to apply for a new certificate to take accounts of these improvements at additional cost.
Now help is at hand.
As part of the new Home Energy Saving Scheme announced by the Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, yesterday, it is possible to apply for a grant of up €200 to cover the ‘before and after’costs of a BER certificate. The energy rating assessment must be carried out before and after the improvement works, in order to be able to qualify for this grant.
The scheme will be run by the SEI and, along with the BER rating assistance, will allow homeowners to apply for grants of up to €4000 for carrying out various measures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes – insulating attics & external walls or upgrading central heating boilers and controls.
Although Prof. Owen Wilson was quoted yesterday as saying that the SEI are ‘open for business’, there web-site is currently stating that the schem is not yet open for applications from homeowners. I contacted the SEI today and confirmed that they are currently recruiting contractors to apply for registration under the scheme – the actual grant application process will open before the end of March. Homeowners who wish to apply for a grant can register their interest with the SEI by sending an e-mail to hes@sei.ie.
Despite the fact that the SEI already has a list of approved BER Assessors, grant applications for assistance with the before and after certificates will not be available until the overall scheme is up and running.
More info at www.sei.ie
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