Presented by Paul Kenny, CEO, Tipperary Energy Agency

October 2019 | Dublin

Why Retrofit is the only Equitably way to Overcome Fuel Poverty

• Introduction

• Case Study

• Opinion

• Policy recommendations

Todays Discussion

➢ Tipperary Energy Agency’s retrofitting homes since 2004

➢ 2008-2012 SERVE program 350 homes 47% saving

➢ 2013-2015 Retrofit C. 1000 homes fabric only

➢ Established Superhomes in 2015

➢ Tipperary Healthy Homes in 2016

➢ All Funded by The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

➢ WHABS

➢ Communities

➢ Better energy finance pilot

➢ Deep Retrofit Pilot

Introduction

Tipperary Co Co & Sustainable Tipp signing partnership agreement with SEAI

➢ Fuel Poor Deep Retrofit

➢ Contributions from householders, TEA,

Commercial BEC partners

➢ Focused on persons with COPD & Asthma

(DCCAE/ HSE warmth & Well being criteria)

➢ Approx. 60 homes complete to date

➢ Google “ecoeye – the air we breathe” for a

7 min overview clip on the impact.

Tipperary Health Homes

➢ Low income home – under heating despite large bills

➢ Mass Concrete => Mould, Condensation

➢ Solid fuel

➢ Generation of particulates

➢ Soot and ash when cleaning

➢ Un-even temperature distribution

➢ Absent or In-effective ventilation rates

➢ Vast majority 70-90m2 rural cottages/ semi-D

Typical base case

➢ External wall insulation

➢ Attic insulation

➢ Thermal bridge management (extensions, shelters,

fuel sheds etc)

➢ Air to water heat pump with low temperature rads

➢ Removal of all combustion appliances

➢ Demand Control Ventilation

➢ Typical electricity use for heating & hot water

2500-3000 kWh per annum.

➢ €300-€500 per annum depending on tariff

Upgrades

➢ Three identical homes (Ex LA Housing estate)

➢ All originally Solid fuel

➢ One Solid/ storage; One LPG; One oil

➢ €2,366 average heating (one €2,700 LPG)

➢ All homes mould evident

➢ Net energy cost all energy €12 per week.

➢ Significant improvement in health and wellbeing.

➢ Evaluation of economic savings still to be

done.

➢ Capital cost €45,000 - €55,000 (95% state funded).

➢ DPER Shadow price carbon €20-€30k (2020-

2040)

Case Study

➢ Need to include health as part of any policy discussion

➢ Carbon compliance costs will be very significant over next 20 years.

➢ No subsidy will overcome desperately poor buildings

➢ Continued burning fossil fuels will impact future Irish and current

international people in fuel poverty.

➢ In effect subsidising fossil fuels is just moving issue from one person

to another.

➢ Retrofit with renewable heat is the only real option

➢ Cost of renovation isn’t the only cost.

Opinion

➢ Validate carbon and healthcare savings from renovation.

➢ Understand net cost impact and interaction with fuel allowance –

incentive for DPER

➢ State should not pay all costs.

➢ Establish local delivery models with long term frameworks

➢ Funded retrofit should never allow burning of any fuels.

➢ Delivery needed urgently.

Policy Recommendations

OUR SERVICES

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