External AND Internal (cavity) insulation - SEAI grants?

Sysmod · 17-01-2023 10:10am #1

This is similar to another recent question, but my query is on grants.

Our house is 1970s, the core is some kind of thin wall, the extensions either side are cavity blocks.

A local insulator gave us a price of 2500 for the cavity insulation (grant 1700), another, a plasterer, quoted 15000 (grant 8000) for the external insulation. The problem is, we need both, but the SEAI will only grant one type. So we'd need 9500 total. Is there any way to get the SEAI to give us grant for both? I've emailed appeals@seai but have not had a reply yet.

TIA

sydthebeat · 17-01-2023 10:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058280015/external-and-internal-cavity-insulation-seai-grants

why do you need both?

theres no restriction to the width of external insulation you can apply.

Sysmod · 17-01-2023 11:28am

Because (I assume) it would cost far too much to do the whole house externally - I didn't ask but looking at the relative area of walls it would be twice the area.

Calahonda52 · 17-01-2023 11:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120118981#Comment_120118981

IIRC, there is some suggestion that the CWI reduces thermal looping with EWI.

Hope 2023 is being good to you 😎

Calahonda52 · 17-01-2023 11:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119341#Comment_120119341

Are you proposing some EWI and some CWI?

Are there not rules re you need to a certain % to get grant

Sysmod · 17-01-2023 11:37am

I don't know of those rules. I'll ask the SEAI.

sydthebeat · 17-01-2023 11:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119341#Comment_120119341

ah ok, i think i get you now...

so youre not saying that your insulating Internal and external insulation on teh same walls... but installed EWI on some walls and Internal insulation on other walls.

it may be possible to get part grant grant on each wall type

ie of 50% of the house is cavity block which you are external insulating than you may be able to claim 50% of the EWI grant, and the other 50% is whatever other type, and your internally insulating, you may be able to request 50% of the internal grant. SEAI should be able to clear this up for you, but your question must be clear. Its not clear in your first post.

they will grant fund until a wall u value of 0.27 is met

in the vast majority of cases this can be done with one type of insulation

sydthebeat · 17-01-2023 11:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119368#Comment_120119368

it certainly would, but its my understanding that SEAI will only grant fund until a u value of 0.27

Grant funding can only be issued once per property for each type of works. This means that any property which previously availed of wall insulation via the Better Energy Homes scheme, or any other government scheme, cannot receive additional support for further wall insulation works

Sysmod · 17-01-2023 12:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119410#Comment_120119410

Yes, I should have made it clear that the EWI ( external insulation I assume) is for the 1970s core and CWI (cavity) is for the two 1980s extensions. 50% of 8000 plus 50% of 1700 does not add up to the 8000 for external. From the SEAI PDF I can only see a reference to "if at least 25% of the wall is done" then it must be BER tested. A contractor search on SEAI finds only one who does all kinds of insulation servicing the South East, but that has a recent poor Google review among other good ones.

I have an answer from SEAI:

"To avail of grant aid under the Better Energy Homes scheme for wall insulation, a whole house solution is required. This means that all exposed walls must be fully insulated to scheme standards upon completion of works. If any exposed walls are left un-insulated then, unfortunately, the grant cannot be paid. Upon completion, the contractor must note on the DOWs the extent and quality of insulation present in the walls. If two types of wall insulation are required to achieve the whole house solution or 100% insulation we would usually advise to apply for the measure that takes up the majority of the solution. "

sydthebeat · 17-01-2023 12:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119502#Comment_120119502

50% of 8000 plus 50% of 1700 does not add up to the 8000 for external.

in all respect, of course it doesnt. But youre not getting 100% of EWI done, only 50%

ill assume your 1970s "core" building your referring to is 'mass concrete' walls. So youve 'cavity block' walls and 'mass concrete' walls.

both 'Internal drylining' and 'External insulation' will works for both of those wall types. if you cannot afford EWI then go for the internal solution. its not s good, but it may be wihtin your budget.

Sysmod · 17-01-2023 2:17pm

Thanks @sydthebeat . The disruption of internal drylining is what put us off. The built-in cupboards to remove.

Sysmod · 19-01-2023 9:23pm

Here are pictures of the two kinds of wall, taken when we were changing windows last year.

trevdahead · 22-01-2023 9:25pm

You can only claim one grant and it must be over 50 % of the total wall surface area.You are permitted to mix measures but can only claim for the larger portion.

ChewyLuey · 11-03-2023 9:07am

The answer received from SEAI quoted above seems to indicate its 100% rather than 50% though right?

Snip

"To avail of grant aid under the Better Energy Homes scheme for wall insulation, a whole house solution is required. This means that all exposed walls must be fully insulated to scheme standards upon completion of works. If any exposed walls are left un-insulated then, unfortunately, the grant cannot be paid.

Sysmod · 13-03-2023 7:31pm

That's ok, I'll have some cavity filled and the rest external. The 50% external is worrying me though.

External AND Internal (cavity) insulation - SEAI grants?

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