Social housing retrofitting
Council-owned homes in County Laois are being upgraded to be warmer, healthier, and more comfortable, while emitting fewer carbon dioxide emissions.
- Since 2019, around €10 million has been spent on retrofitting 246 local authority-owned houses in the county.
- Retrofitting is taking place in various areas including Abbeyleix, Stradbally, Clonaslee, Ballylinan, Rosenallis, The Swan, Mountrath, Portlaoise, Rathdowney, Arles, Portarlington & Mountmellick
- This work aims to improve air quality, with homes expected to move from E- or D-ratings to a B2 Building Energy Rating (BER). They will be cheaper to heat than those using oil or gas.
- The Midlands Retrofit Programme and Energy Efficiency Retrofitting programme, funded by the Carbon Tax, are behind these efforts.
- Works started in September 2020 and typically involve insulation of attics, walls, and roofs, upgrading windows and doors, replacing heating systems with heat pumps, and installing LED lighting.
- Retrofitting improves energy efficiency and helps combat climate change, as about 40% of Ireland’s energy-related carbon emissions come from buildings.
What are the benefits?
- Easier heating of all rooms.
- Improved comfort through better insulation.
- Better indoor air quality without ash from solid fuel boilers.
- Improved outdoor air quality benefiting the community's health.
- More convenient and efficient heating systems, reducing the need for solid fuel.
- Less carbon dioxide emissions from heat pumps compared to fossil fuels, aiding climate change efforts.
Further information
For specific questions, contact Trevor Hennessy, Senior Engineer, at 057 868 7375.
