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Following the recent Home Energy Saving Scheme announcement
by Minister Eamon Ryan, Durkan Residential, the Irish homebuilding
company, has launched a new subsidiary - Durkan EcoFix - which
will create 150 jobs to serve the home insulation market estimated
to be worth €9 billion.
Durkan EcoFix will provide the country’s 900,000 qualifying
homeowners with a comprehensive home insulation service that
will reduce domestic energy bills by up to 60% while, simultaneously,
making homes warmer, more comfortable and healthier.
The €50 million Home Energy Savings (HES)
scheme entitles homeowners who invest in insulating their
homes to a grant worth between €500 and €5,150. The HES grant
is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and is
open to all homes built before 2006.
Durkan EcoFix is employing a wide range of experienced technicians
and other personnel to deliver a comprehensive service including
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- an initial home assessment;
- processing of the HES grant application to the SEI;
- installation of the insulation works (attic insulation,
wall insulation, more efficient boilers, improved air tightness
and heating controls) - and
- Building Energy Rating (BER) certification.
The 150 jobs will be made up of service teams comprising
specialist insulation installers, plumbers, electricians,
plasterers, carpenters and BER assessors. The service teams
will be supported by office personnel in administration, finance,
sales and marketing roles.
Homeowners will invest in insulating their homes for a wide
range of reasons that benefit them directly - as well as the
national economy and environment - including -
- Reducing their home energy bills by up to 60% annually.
- A once-off cash-back grant from the government of between
€500 and €5,150.
- Improving their quality of life through improved warmth
and comfort in their homes.
- Improving their health through better living conditions
via better ventilation and reduced condensation and
mould.
- Increasing the value of their homes by improving their
Building Energy Rating (BER).
- Contributing positively to supporting Irish jobs, Irish
companies and the economy - and
- Improving the environment by reducing their energy consumption.
Announcing the creation of the new company, Patrick Durkan,
Director of Durkan EcoFix, said - “We have a proven track
record in building quality homes for generations of families
and we are now applying that expertise to the insulation market
through Durkan EcoFix.”
He added - “Right now, home insulation presents the country
with a great opportunity to make savings in our living expenses,
while investing in our homes, economy and environment at the
same time.”
Launching Durkan EcoFix, architect, environmentalist and
RTE presenter, Duncan Stewart said - “I commend Durkan EcoFix
for offering a holistic ‘one-stop-shop’ for homeowners
wanting to make their houses more energy efficient and also
on the additional focus they are bringing to the importance
of proper ventilation as a means of improving people’s health
and quality of life.”
Jay Stuart, Managing Director of Delap and Waller EcoCo (Integrated
Sustainable Design Consultants) and Technical Director of
Durkan EcoFix, is an architect with 30 years experience, who
has recently completed an EU research project on energy efficient
retrofits for Irish housing focusing on good ventilation.
He believes it is essential that a holistic approach to each
home is taken, which includes provision for effective ventilation.
“Adding more insulation to a home without considering ventilation,
air tightness, condensation and mould, is potentially hazardous.
This is why Durkan EcoFix will always evaluate each and every
home and recommend appropriate measures for a healthy, more
comfortable home.”
He added - “In addition to the household savings, economic
and environmental benefits, the HES grant scheme is a great
opportunity to improve our living conditions and the quality
of our housing stock.”
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