Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners as well as public and commercial entities to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

It is open to owners and non-corporate landlords of pre-1940 homes to apply for any of SEAIs grant supported schemes. However, the retrofit of traditional buildings is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. The materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable.

All of the SEAI approaches are determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings. This means that wall insulation is not recommended under any of its residential energy efficiency schemes on dwellings built before 1940 which are constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction. However, SEAI will assess applicant properties under the various energy efficiency schemes for other measures.

The rationale for this approach is that stone-built (traditional built) structures were designed to be vapour permeable. Therefore, the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable. For example, a stone wall with lime-based mortar will need a lime-based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants.

As referred to in your question, the new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” was published recently by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. The Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings publication describes how thermal efficiency of traditionally built buildings can be enhanced, whilst maintaining the conservation of architectural heritage.

This guidance will be an important resource to SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally-built buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.