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‍CHI’s ‘Improving Warmth and Wellbeing’ retrofit programme will see 216 low-income homes retrofitted

Last Friday 24^th March, CHI's ‘Improving Warmth and Wellbeing’ retrofit programme won the ‘Net Zero in Housing’ award at the Chartered Institute of Housing All Ireland Housing Awards 2023. 'Improving Warmth and Wellbeing' will see 216 of CHI’s lowest energy performing homes receive deep-energy upgrades. The Awards were held in the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

CHI held off strong competition from Clúid Housing, Laois County Council and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to win on the night.

Last year, 52 apartments in South Earl Street and Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin's city centre were retrofitted in phase one of the programme. A further 57 apartments in Newcourt, Dublin 8, are due to be finished by summer 2023. Retrofit works were completed with CHI Members in situ and in phases to ensure minimum disruption. Retrofitting homes and buildings is key to decreasing use of fossil fuels and reaching net-zero carbon emission targets. 2022 saw 27,200 energy upgrades delivered through SEAI, an 80% increase in previous years.

CHI’s Director of Asset Management and Property Services, David McCourt explains the challenge of retrofitting homes in the current climate, “Retrofit work is being completed in a volatile construction climate with scarcity of raw materials, due to supply chain issues stemming from Brexit and the Russian-Ukraine war, and higher prices as a result of inflation. We are delighted to say that despite these challenges, we have completed phase one of the project and are on track to complete phase two.”

“The benefits of retrofitting existing housing stock for CHI are many,” he explains. “Upgrading homes improves the overall standard of living for CHI Members and may deliver financial savings to those at risk of fuel poverty. Retrofitting our poorest energy performing homes to bring BER to minimum B2 allows CHI to maintain housing stock and be exemplary providers of social housing.”

CHI is delighted by the positive impact on Members’ morale. South Earl Street resident, Emma Dillon, described the benefits of the retrofits in her home:

“We can moderate the temperature, we have it set to eighteen degrees every time. We always have hot water now, it’s always set to the same temperature. It just feels healthier now.

Kingdom Installation came and gave us a tutorial [on the new heat pump]. It’s a simple system but it’s so effective.”

Mr McCourt describes the difference these upgrades will make to Members lives, “CHI’s primary responsibility is to its Members, so the biggest benefit from retrofitting homes is ensuring their warmth and well-being, as well as reduced cost of living.  Future maintenance works will be consolidated by the unification of energy provision, hot water and heating under one system. This will help Members manage their energy bills.”