Hard to Heat Homes

Hard to Heat homes is a new pilot initiative which has been developed by NIE Energy and DSD in an attempt to reduce the impact of fuel poverty by exploring energy efficiency and renewable energy options for approximately 60 ‘hard to heat’ properties throughout Northern Ireland.

The pilot project is identifying alternative energy systems for ‘hard to heat’ homes in addition to a package of energy efficiency measures. The ‘hard to heat’ homes for the programme are expected to be rural, isolated or exposed homes but they will be selected in a way which helps us to ensure that those in most need get our assistance.

We are particularly keen to support low income ‘hard to heat’ homes so our selection criteria reflect this focus. We would be grateful for your help in identifying potential properties to take part in the programme - we do not want to actively promote the 'hard to heat' homes programme (it must not appear in any promotional material or be advertised in any way) but would like you to flag up potential properties to Wilma Stewart in NIE Energy (Wilma.Stewart@nieenergy.co.uk or 028 9068 5071).

We are keen that referrals are only made to this pilot project if a home visit has been carried out. Following the initial referral from you, EAGA will undertake a detailed technical survey and householder follow up.

You should not discuss the programme with any householders - this will be done when the EAGA surveyor visits so that we can carefully manage expectations while also attempting to identify those in most need of our assistance.

We are planning to install a package of measures in each house which will include:

• Loft insulation up to 270mm
• Hot water cylinder insulation
• 4 energy saving light bulbs
• Oil condensing boiler and controls or wood pellet boiler and controls.
• Solar water heating or biomass room heater or solar photovoltaics or solid wall insulation

To help identify the households which are eligible for the scheme we have a range of criteria which must be met before the household can proceed to the next stage of the selection process:

Eligibility Criteria

House Criteria:

• Electric, E7, solid fuel or no central heating and who cannot be connected to the natural gas network.
• Preference given to properties with solid walls which can't be cavity insulated.
• Preference will be given to isolated rural, exposed or coastal properties which may be hard to heat due to their location.

Vulnerability Criteria:

• Single with an income/pension <£12,000 gross OR
• Couple or single family with an income/pension <£18,000 gross
AND
• Older or disabled OR
• Children under 16 at home OR
• Health issues (Referral must be accompanied by a health professional letter).
AND
• Own their home.

We are going to intensively monitor approximately 15 of the houses while the other households will be asked to take part in some minor monitoring - co-operation in these activities will be required. Again, the EAGA surveyor will discuss this with the customer.

If you have any queries about any element of the 'hard to heat' homes programme please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and thank you in advance for your co-operation with this worthwhile pilot initiative.

For more information contact:
Wilma Stewart
NIE Energy
Wilma.Stewart@nieenergy.co.uk
028 9068 5071