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Value for Money in Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Ireland: Grant Provider and Grant Recipients

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  • Collins, Matthew
  • Curtis, John

Abstract

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme to provide a financial incentive for home owners to engage in energy efficiency retrofits. This study analyses the BEH data and Building Energy Rating data for BEH-participant homes to examine the value for money achieved by households. In addition, this research identifies which retrofit combinations provide greatest value for money, in terms of energy efficiency gains, for the grant provider. We utilise an error-in-variables approach to model the variation in benefits accruing to households of varying characteristics. We find that household and grant provider surplus can be maximised in the short term by retrofitting less energy efficient and larger homes, timber or steel frame homes and houses rather and apartments. The types of retrofits leading to the greatest surplus for both households and the grant provider include cavity wall insulation paired with either a boiler with heating controls or heating controls only retrofit.

Suggested Citation

  • Collins, Matthew & Curtis, John, 2016. "Value for Money in Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Ireland: Grant Provider and Grant Recipients," Papers WP542, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp542
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    Cited by:

    1. Pillai, Arya & Tovar Reaños, Miguel & Curtis, John, 2021. "An examination of energy efficiency retrofit scheme applications by low-income households in Ireland," Papers WP700, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    2. Collins, Matthew & Curtis, John, 2017. "Can tenants afford to care? Investigating the willingness-to-pay for improved energy efficiency of rental tenants and returns to investment for landlords," Papers WP565, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    3. Coyne, Bryan & Denny, Eleanor, 2021. "Retrofit effectiveness: Evidence from a nationwide residential energy efficiency programme," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    4. Collins, Matthew & Dempsey, Seraphim & Curtis, John, 2017. "Financial incentives for residential energy efficiency investments in Ireland: Should the status quo be maintained?," Papers WP562, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    5. Hadush Meles, Tensay & Farrell, Niall & Curtis, John, 2023. "Are energy performance certificates a strong predictor of actual energy use? Evidence from high-frequency thermostat panel data," Papers WP749, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    6. Matthew Collins & Seraphim Dempsey & John Curtis, 2018. "Householder Preferences for the Design of an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Subsidy in Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 49(2), pages 145-172.

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