A Home Energy Assessment (HEA) serves as the essential starting point for anyone considering multiple energy upgrade measures. Your HEA will provide the current BER rating of your home and outline a clear ‘pathway’ to achieving a B2 or better. It also estimates the costs involved and details the grants available to help you achieve this standard. Importantly, this document is ‘transferable’, meaning you can shop around in the One Stop Shop (OSS) market to get the best value.
Grant Support for HEA
For homes built prior to 2011, and if you haven’t received a HEA grant before, SEAI provides €350 in grant support. This amount is deducted from the HEA cost, ensuring you only pay the net amount to your OSS Provider who arranges the assessment for you.
Importance of Clear Goals
While the steps in the HEA journey are reasonably clear, it's crucial to understand that achieving the best solution and value requires diligence and commitment to clear goals. Key terms like ‘B2 pathway’, ‘cost estimate’, and ‘transferability’ guide homeowners to focus on critical aspects such as improving BER and cost-effectiveness.
Understanding the ‘B2 Pathway’
The ‘B2 pathway’ refers to the route to achieving a BER of B2 or better. Each HEA outlines one pathway illustrating BER improvements step-by-step. It’s important to note that achieving B2 alone isn’t sufficient for superior OSS grants; you also need to meet a minimum BER ‘uplift’ (100kw/m2/yr). This involves improving your BER from, for example, a D1 to a B2 or even a B3 to an A1, combining the destination (B2) and uplift requirements in your retrofit pathway.
Setting Your Homeowner Goals
Your HEA should capture your priorities as a homeowner, known as ‘Homeowner Goals’. These goals can include preferences like replacing or retaining windows, adding advanced ventilation, or installing Solar PV. Discussing these goals with your assessor before the survey ensures alignment and helps determine the most suitable pathway.
Understanding the Cost Estimate
In addition to outlining the B2 pathway, your HEA should include a cost estimate to give you an idea of the investment required. It’s important to distinguish between an estimate and a quote; an estimate is preliminary and subject to final specifications, while a quote is based on a detailed design and guarantees a fixed price for a specified period.
The Importance of Transferability
HEAs are transferable documents that allow homeowners to compare options and seek the best value for their retrofit project. However, it’s essential to recognise that these documents are not final designs and are based on estimates. Variations in technology, quality, and suitability should be considered when comparing different providers.
Electric Ireland Superhomes Approach
At Electric Ireland Superhomes, HEA cost estimates focus on essential items such as inspecting pipework quality and choosing window and door styles. They may even suggest alternative B2 pathways if it offers better value for your specific needs. Their approach underscores a commitment to delivering tailored and efficient retrofit solutions.
Quality of HEA and the Retrofit Journey
The quality of your HEA is crucial in ensuring a successful retrofit journey. Expertise in engineering and attentive customer service, such as incorporating homeowner priorities in the assessment process, plays a significant role. Exploring alternative pathways when the initial plan isn’t feasible ensures homeowners achieve optimal outcomes.
Choosing the Right OSS Provider
Most homeowners who proceed with OSS retrofitting engage the provider who conducted their HEA. It’s essential to select an OSS provider based not only on the cost of the HEA but also on the quality of service provided. This ensures a positive experience throughout the retrofit process.
Written by David Flannery
David Flannery, Head of Strategy at Electric Ireland Superhomes, brings over 20 years of expertise in home energy retrofitting. His insights into customer development and sustainable housing development drive initiatives that promote energy efficiency improvements. With a focus on strategy, David applies his extensive experience to develop scalable retrofitting solutions, guiding homeowners through complex retrofit processes effectively.
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