Gas Boiler Grants: All You Need to Know
The ‘Better Energy Homes’ scheme has been running since 2011 and is available to homeowners whose house was built before 2006.
It provides grants to homeowners who invest in energy-saving products and implementations. But what’s even more exciting, is that they offer a grant of €700 towards the cost of a new energy efficient gas or oil boiler. They also provide a grant towards the cost of replacement central heating controls, such as the thermostat.
Are Energy Efficient Boilers Really Worth It?
According to figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland if you have a boiler that’s over 15 years of age, it’s energy efficiency isn’t likely to be greater than 70%. Current new models of gas and oil boilers have industry standard efficiency of greater than 90%. This means an improvement of up to 20% of operational points, which translates to an actual fuel saving of more than 25%. In other words, you could cut your fuel bills by a quarter. That’s a saving of €500 on an annual oil bill of €2000.
How Do I Know If I Qualify?
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for the Better Energy Homes scheme, you can find out more information here: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_energy_homes/ and also find out information on the other grants available for energy-saving products. To find out if you qualify, simply enter your postcode here: http://www.boilergrants.org.uk/
What Do I Do Next?
If you do qualify for the Better Energy Homes Scheme, the first step you have to take is to decide what work you want to be carried out. As well as the installation of a High Efficiency Gas or Oil fired Boiler, the scheme also covers:
Heating Control Upgrades
Solar Panels
Wall Insulation
Roof Insulation
Once you’ve decided, you then have to get the agreed works carried out by a registered SEAI contractor.
In the case of your gas boiler, it’s imperative that you employ a gas engineer who has all of the relevant qualifications, such as their RGII certificate. This means that they are qualified to work on a range of boilers.
And then?
Once all of the work has been completed, you must get your BER (Building Energy Rating) assessment carried out by a registered BER assessor and the correct forms submitted to SEAI.
Important! You must have the assessment and the forms submitted within 6 months otherwise you won’t be eligible for the gas boiler grant…
Once you’ve had the assessment, sent the forms and they’ve been processed, the grant funds should then reach your account, leaving you to relax and luxuriate in your new energy efficient abode!
If you have any questions regarding gas boiler grants, please don’t hesitate to give us a call today on Freephone 1800 66 77 89