Arklow homeowners urged to explore fully funded energy upgrades as new local service launches.

Arklow residents on lower incomes struggling with costs of heating their homes can now access a new locally-based free advice service to explore potential grants of fully funded energy efficiency measures for their homes.

Wicklow County Council will launch Warmer Homes Arklow on Thursday 29th October in order to advise residents of grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) through the free and independent advice service.

The initiative is to inform residents of the financial assistance that is available to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and to outline the eligibility criteria for each scheme and how to apply for same.

Homeowners with costly heating bills and cold homes can now find out about possible energy improvements to their homes without them having to cost a fortune.

Even though full funding is available through the SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme for suitable applicants, there are eligibility criteria in place for the funding and Home Energy Advisors from Warmer Homes Arklow will explain the criteria and the process for applying for funding at the clinics.

Warmer Homes will operate from the Árus Lorcáin in Arklow where Home Energy Clinics will be held on a weekly basis for residents to call in and receive free, independent advice from a home energy adviser.

Home Energy Clinics will be held at the Árus Lorcáin every Thursday from 11am till 12noon on a walk-in basis and no appointment is necessary.

Your Home Energy Advice Session will include information on the grants available for home energy measures and the eligibility criteria for each. The session will also outline the process for an application for any measures that you may be eligible for.

The greatest barrier to Upgrade works in existing homes is that homeowners, who are the only group able to carry out such work in a timely fashion, have no reference point as to where to start.

Peir Leonard, Cathaoirleach of Arklow Municipal District says the program will enable residents to access information and supports in relation to available funding for energy upgrades within the town. Leonard said that he believes the program will provide residents with somewhere local to seek guidance and discuss their individual circumstances in relation to available funding for energy upgrades within the town.

Homeowners will be able to get residents of Arklow somewhere local to go for information and guidance on the various financial assistance programs that are available to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their carbon emissions.

Decarbonisation Zone for Arklow – One of five areas across the country identified under the government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency in homes and buildings.

Home energy comfort and reduced energy consumption is at the core of the Wicklow County Council initiative said Chief Executive, Emer O’Gorman.

The Project is being funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment through the Initiative as part of the Arklow Decarbonisation Zone.

Speaking at the launch, Home Energy Adviser with energy efficiency experts Scope 123, Simon Whelan explained that a major problem facing many households interested in improving the energy efficiency of their homes was a lack of awareness as to whether they were eligible for certain grants.

A lack of awareness regarding the aid available to householders to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and to improve the comfort of their homes is a major barrier to improvement according to Home Energy Adviser for Scope 123, Simon Whelan.

The launch of the service to take place at Árus Lorcáin on Thursday, 29th October at 11am will be open to public attendance free of charge. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the team behind Warmer Homes Arklow and also learn about the funding available through the relevant schemes and how to access the weekly clinics.

There will be an opportunity to meet the team behind Warmer Homes Arklow and to find out about the many different supports available to residents. You will also be able to find out how to attend the Home Energy Clinics on a weekly basis.

For anyone thinking about energy improvements to their home, but worried about the cost or perplexed by the grant applications, then a local starting point is exactly what homeowners need.

The launch of Warmer Homes Arklow is open to all with an interest in the service; however the grants that are available through the SEAI funded schemes will have eligibility conditions that will need to be met by successful applicants.

Warmer Homes Arklow launches with the launch taking place at Árus Lorcáin on Thursday, 29th October at 11 am. The free Home Energy Clinics will then go on to run every Thursday from 11 am until 12 noon on an ongoing basis and no appointment is necessary to attend.