The ESB Halo programme was launched in July, 2009, and has now moved onto to its second phase. Under the first phase of the programme some 20,000 customers were given a free energy efficiency survey of their home, a set of recommendations for remedial works along with advice on the cost and payback time for these works, and a list of contractors qualified to carry out the work.
The current phase of the programme builds on the success of the pilot phase and sees Halo transformed into a commercial service with customers offered an assessment and installation service on a fee basis.
This involves a full energy efficiency design, installation and quality assurance service using a qualified contractors. NuTech Renewables Ltd is a preffered supplier of Thermomax Solar Panels for the solar Thermal element of this scheme
Whats on Offer
The measures that are on offer are attic insulation, cavity and external wall insulation, boiler replacement and heating controls, dry lining and draught proofing as well as ventilation.
Customers are charged for the survey but they may qualify for financial support for the survey and subsequent remedial works under the proposed Department of Communications, Energy Natural Resources National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Scheme.
This scheme will see up to 1.2 million homes in Ireland retrofitted with energy efficient technologies over the next decade.
Following an open tender process, Bank of Ireland was selected by ESB as the preferred finance provider for the Halo scheme.
To Qualify
To qualify for the Halo loan, applicants must supply satisfactory evidence of intent to purchase an appropriate energy efficient product or service such as an estimate or invoice from the ESB. Applicants must be home owners and can apply for amounts directly related to the cost of the home improvements.
Key Benefits
One of the key benefits of the Bank of Ireland package is its flexibility. Bank of Ireland will lend up to the full cost of the improvements and the customer can use the grant to pay down part of the loan whenever they receive it. Also, because it is a standard variable loan, there are no penalties for early repayment. In effect, this means customers can choose to use the money freed up by their energy savings to pay off the loan early and save on interest as well as home heating bills.
The scheme is open to all owners of houses built before 2006. The grant is open to those who wish to increase the energy efficiency of their home and reduce home heating running costs and therefore carbon emissions
Further Information
A bief video explaining what the ESB Halo scheme is about and what it means for you. NuTech Renewables Ltd is a preffered supplier of solar Thermal and Thermomax Solar Panels to this scheme
