SSE Airtricity, SEAI and St. Vincent de Paul deliver cosier Christmas for Limerick Residents

SSE Airtricity Energy Services, in partnership with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has helped keep homes warm this winter with the completion of an energy project in Limerick city.

Residents in the St Vincent De Paul St Patrick’s Court housing scheme in Garryowen, Limerick are set to enjoy a cosier Christmas this year as part of the retrofit project which cost almost €500,000 and will see energy consumption reduced by approximately 50%.

The 13 properties benefitting from this project were built in the 1960’s and had low energy ratings. The fabric consisted of solid concrete walls and single glazing. The majority of tenants have come from the nearby SVP emergency homeless hostel accommodation and these houses had no energy upgrades since they were built 60 years ago. Following the project’s completion, the homes received a BER uplift from G to A3, saving thousands of euro in annual energy costs and making the homes much warmer and healthier to live in.

The project, which was co-funded by SEAI and SVP and delivered by SSE Airtricity Energy Services, consisted of improving home heating, installing solar panels and external insulation which will diminish the likelihood of draughts, condensation and mould growth.

Part of the funding for the works has come from SEAI’s communities’ scheme with support from the Government of Ireland. The scheme supports new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities, bringing private, public and community organisations together. The aim is to deliver energy savings to homeowners, communities, and private sector organisations. This year, the scheme has enabled SSE Airtricity to partner with local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and community groups to deliver thermal improvements to domestic and fuel poor homes around Ireland.

Paula Kenny, National Manager for Social Housing, Society of Saint Vincent De Paul said: “The Society are delighted with the successful partnership working between the local volunteers of St Vincent De Paul, St Benedict Joseph Labre Conference, SSE Airtrcity and SEAI. The project has raised the standard of our accommodation at St Patrick’s Court bringing increased comfort and cost savings to our tenants. As an Approved Housing Body, the Society’s mission is to provide homes for people in our communities and this work will sustain our homes into the future and continue to provide much needed accommodation within Limerick City. The project is a viewed as a good practice model in terms of energy efficiency and the Society look forward to continuing to work with SSE and SEAI in the roll out of further energy works across our housing nationally.”

Stuart Hobbs, Head of SSE Airtricity Energy Services said: “We’re proud to partner with St. Vincent de Paul and the SEAI, and to help some of Limerick’s most vulnerable residents feel warmer and safer in their homes this winter.  This project will reduce resident’s energy costs while also helping cut carbon emissions from their homes.

At SSE Airtricity we know the value of helping Irish homes and businesses go green and how that can have a positive impact on Ireland’s 2030 climate goals.”

John Randles, Head of Delivery in SEAI said: “This year, SEAI is supporting 57 projects under our communities’ scheme with over €25 million in government funding. This will help support energy efficiency upgrades in almost 700 homes and 570 non-domestic buildings throughout Ireland. We are delighted to see projects like the collaboration between SSE Airtricity, St. Vincent de Paul and Saint Patrick’s Court Limerick at completion. The benefits of this project are not only more energy efficient homes, but the health and wellbeing benefits to residents as a result of much warmer homes.”