Brian’s detached house in County Kildare has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to a comprehensive home retrofit. Originally built 25 years ago, the property, though initially well-constructed, began to feel colder as the years went by. After deciding it was time to invest in improving their home, Brian and Patricia reached out to Electric Ireland Superhomes to start their retrofit journey.
The Journey: C1 to A1
The main driving factor behind the retrofit was the need to modernize an aging home. With outdated windows, doors, and radiators, Brian knew it was time for an upgrade. Prior to the retrofit, the home was heated using an old gas boiler and a gas stove. However, after removing the gas boiler, Brian noticed a significant increase in available space in the utility room. More importantly, the entire heating system was replaced with an efficient heat pump system, providing all heating and hot water needs.
The house itself features hollow block construction on the sides and rear walls, with a brick cavity on the front facade.
Retrofit Measures
An in-depth survey conducted by an Electric Ireland Superhomes engineer revealed the best course of action to elevate the home’s BER rating from C1 to A1. The suggested retrofit measures included:
- Upgraded External Doors & Windows
- Installation of a Heat Pump & Packaged Cylinder System
- New Radiators
- Solar PV Panels for Clean Energy
- Demand Control Ventilation (DCV)
- External Wall Insulation (with pumped insulation on the front brick section)
- Additional Attic Insulation
As a registered SEAI One Stop Shop, Electric Ireland Superhomes handled the entire process, from selecting trusted contractors to managing the SEAI grants and overseeing project execution.
The Outcome: A Warmer, More Comfortable Home
After the retrofit, Brian is thrilled with the results. His home’s BER rating improved from C1 to A1, making it more energy-efficient and comfortable. Reflecting on the process, Brian shared his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “There was always a three-way conversation between Electric Ireland Superhomes, Greenwatt [the contractor], and myself. They kept me in the loop and gave me choices every step of the way.”
One of Brian’s initial concerns about the retrofit was the possibility of living in an untidy and disruptive environment for weeks. However, he was pleasantly surprised: “The Greenwatt team made sure to clean up after themselves and kept everything in order. The house remained livable throughout the entire four-week project.”
Since the retrofit, Brian has noticed a significant improvement in the home's temperature retention: “Before the upgrade, the temperature could drop by 4-5 degrees overnight. Now, it only drops by about one degree, if at all. It’s still early days, but I’m really happy with how everything turned out.”
This retrofit project is an excellent example of how modernizing an older home can lead to a warmer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient living space. With reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions, retrofitting your home is a smart investment for both your wallet and the environment.
Discover your dream home on MyHome.ie, Ireland’s leading property portal. In collaboration with Electric Ireland SuperHomes, we are helping homeowners make their homes more energy-efficient with expert retrofitting solutions.
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