The McCarthys are a young family who have bought their first home a couple of years ago. They live in a typical 3 bed semi-detached house (100 square metres). The house was built in the 1960s and had an E1 energy rating. Recently their home has become hard to heat. The McCarthy’s want to reduce their future energy consumption and their carbon footprint by carrying out home energy upgrades.
Following the initial CU Greener Homes consultation, the McCarthys went ahead with a Home Energy Assessment, which is a deep analysis* of their building fabric and energy upgrade requirements, prior to works commencing. This analysis included a Technical BER Assessment.
These reports were discussed in detail with the McCarthys and an upgrade package was designed that suited their requirements and guaranteed a post-works BER of B1. The package included the installation of wall and attic insulation, new windows and doors as well as a full heating system upgrade.
This energy improvement and BER uplift secured grant funding of €28,618 including additional Energia support
Project Cost – €77, 250
Less SEAI Grant – €25,400
Less Energia Support – €3,218
VAT@ 13.5% – €6,565
Net Project Cost – €55,197
Credit Union Loan – To help fund the project, the McCarthys borrowed €50,000 from their local credit union. As their home was being upgraded to a B1 energy rating, they qualified for a loan rate of 5.8% (5.96% APR**). With a 10-year loan, their monthly loan repayment was €550.09.
A further BER was conducted post works to ensure the home had achieved a BER of B1. The McCarthys’ home is now much warmer and more energy efficient. Their heating bills have dropped dramatically. The family’s carbon footprint has also significantly reduced as a result of the works.
* The Initial Technical Assessment Cost (Technical BER Assessment, Proposed Works, + Link to software calculation and HLI) was €950 (exclusive of VAT @23%). The McCarthy’s grant funding of €350 for the test was discounted up front from this amount. The total payable amount for the Technical Assessment was €738.
** A €50,000 home improvement loan over 10 years at a 5.8% interest rate (5.96% APR) has 120 monthly repayments of €550.09. The total amount repayable is €66,010.80
This case study is for illustrative purposes only.
