Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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54. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if heat tests are carried out as part of the national retrofitting programme in advance of carrying out a retrofit. [56223/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how many homes were heat pump assessed in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; how many of these were found not to be suitable for heat pumps; how many were offered alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1909/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 141 together.

The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.

The SEAI advises that heat pump heating systems are most efficient when they operate in homes with a low level of heat loss. The metric used to determine whether the dwelling has a sufficiently low level of heat loss is the “Heat Loss Indicator” (HLI).

In order to avail of the heat pump grant, a homeowner must first get an SEAI registered Technical Advisor to carry out an assessment of their home. This assesses the suitability of the premises for a heat pump or whether any other upgrades are necessary. In some instances, the additional upgrades required will qualify for SEAI grants.

In addition, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS), since February 2022 grant support has been made available for homeowners to have a more wide-ranging Home Energy Assessment (HEA) carried out which provides information on: Pre-works BER; HLI & Heat Pump design; Design for upgrade to BER B2 and beyond; and Cost estimate quotes and grants available. The HEA is especially recommended if a heat pump is being installed as part of a whole-of-home retrofit project.

It is important to note that a home does not fail a heat pump assessment - rather the assessment identifies the elements that require upgrading in the home for the installation of a heat pump. An independent Technical Advisor, who is registered with SEAI, is engaged by the homeowner. The Technical Advisor guides the homeowner on: the energy performance of the dwelling; the suitability of the dwelling for a heat pump system based on the dwelling’s heat loss; and measures necessary to ensure that the dwelling fabric heat loss is lowered to an acceptable level for a heat pump system to perform effectively and efficiently.

SEAI has also commenced a Residential Heat Pump and Heat Loss Indicator research study involving up to 1,000 homes to test the performance of heat pumps across homes with a higher level of heat loss than is currently required by SEAI for grant support. The Pilot remains open to homeowners wishing to participate. SEAI has advised my Department that the scheme has launched and results from participating homes are expected in 2025. Pending the findings of the study, this could allow heat pumps to be installed in many more homes currently deemed ineligible.

Available data provided by SEAI regarding Heat Pumps assessments can be found in the below tables. It should be noted that an application may be made in one year and paid in another.

Table 1a – Better Energy Homes Scheme

Table 1b – National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme