Irish homeowners applying for energy efficiency upgrades through the Warmer Homes Scheme may face longer waiting periods due to surging application numbers, according to Environment Minister Darragh O’Brien.
While waiting times for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) program had significantly decreased between 2022 and 2024, Minister O’Brien warned that recent developments could reverse this positive trend.
The growing popularity of the scheme, coupled with an increase in applications for comprehensive “deeper retrofits,” is creating a backlog that could delay the process for new applicants seeking to improve their homes’ energy efficiency.
According to The Irish Examiner, The Warmer Homes Scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to eligible households, including those receiving certain welfare payments or who meet specific vulnerability criteria. The program aims to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while improving home comfort.
Minister O’Brien’s statement comes amid Ireland’s ongoing efforts to meet climate targets by reducing residential energy consumption and emissions. The government has set ambitious goals for home retrofitting as part of its climate action plan, with schemes like Warmer Homes playing a crucial role in this transition.
The SEAI has not yet specified exactly how much longer applicants might have to wait compared to previous timeframes, leaving homeowners uncertain about when they might be able to proceed with their energy efficiency improvements.
The retrofit program has been a key component of Ireland’s strategy to reduce household energy costs during a period of high energy prices, while simultaneously working toward the country’s climate goals by reducing home heating emissions.