Periodic Reporting for period 2 - Superhomes2030 (Superhomes 2030: Up scaling integrated Home Deep renovation services for Ireland)
Reporting period: 2021-12-01 to 2023-09-30
Superhomes is a deep retrofit service for residential buildings in Ireland, developed by the Domestic arm of the Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA). It aims to achieve 48 GWh savings by 2030 through 4 Regional Superhome One Stop Shops and a Growth Strategy and Business Plan. The Irish Climate Action Plan is an ambitious strategy to meet Ireland's climate commitments and enable Ireland to be Carbon Neutral by 20501. The company is building on engaging homeowners to take on the challenge and building a confident and competent array of contractors. The Super Homes2030 work programme aims to develop a network of 80 High Performing Contractors across Ireland, supported by 3-4 Regional Superhomes One Stop Shops.
Key indicators of success include scaling the number of Superhomes Contractors from 30 to 80 by 2023, training 50 SMEs and 200 professionals and workers on SuperHomes Standards Input to National Standards and Policies on Deep Retrofit Shape, and developing confidence in the supply chain and end user. Lean Solutions and Design Thinking methodologies can enable improved performance and high-performance projects.
Key indicators of success include scaling the number of Superhomes Contractors from 30 to 80 by 2023, training 50 SMEs and 200 professionals and workers on SuperHomes Standards Input to National Standards and Policies on Deep Retrofit Shape, and developing confidence in the supply chain and end user. Lean Solutions and Design Thinking methodologies can enable improved performance and high-performance projects.
A large tranche of work has been completed and/or into its next phase. This includes Brand development, Knowledge Hubs, Business optimisation plans, Construction Sector deep Retrofit Opinion Base, Deep Retrofit Trends analysis, Project Website expansion, Dissemination & Communications plans and publication of e news letters. Superhomes model Ecosystem research identified four key areas for future trends: Technology, political support, innovative business models, and financing opportunities. Building Information Modelling (BIM) was highlighted as a key technology trend for deep retrofit. Innovative business models were found to be one-stop-shop business models, with ESCOs and Co-ops being potential competitors.
Financing opportunities were also identified, with the one-stop-shop business model being the most effective. Ursula Von Der Leyen's European Green Deal includes a Just Transition Mechanism to help communities most effected by the energy transition. Green mortgages and unsecured personal loans are growing in popularity in Ireland, with more lenders entering the market with packages. The Model Ecosystem was analysed using a context-mechanism-outcome approach to analyse the Key Mechanisms. A strawman Research in the Construction Sector of Deep Retrofit aimed to build a construction industry opinion base on the expansion of deep retrofit.
The main conclusions from the four researched areas were that a 'fabric first' approach was the most important retrofit process, 81% of respondents considered air tightness testing to be a must, 67% of respondents believed switching the heating system to a renewable source was also essential, and 65-71% of Architects, engineers, trades, and contractors expressed a strong appetite for more involvement in the retrofit sector. The survey found that organizing labour was the greatest operational challenge and the top knowledge gap was 'SEAI grant + Quality Requirements'. 76% chose the 'One Stop Shop' model as their preferred type of delivery organization, with 13% choosing the 'Co-op' model. The European Green Deal is a key pillar of the EU's ambition to green the economy, and green mortgages and unsecured personal loans are growing in popularity in Ireland. The Model Ecosystem was analysed using a context-mechanism-outcome approach.
Research on deep retrofit trends in Ireland found that trigger points exist and can be exploited with targeted communication, and that finance is the most significant barrier to deep retrofit. The housing stock in Ireland is the youngest in Europe, mostly owner-occupied, C or D BER rated, mostly semi-detached, and contains the least number of flats in Europe. There is significant political will both in Ireland and the EU to move towards climate neutrality, with retrofit as a fundamental step to reaching climate targets. The research identified an increase in new innovative business models such as the ESCO business model, the Energy Efficiency obligation Scheme, and the Better Energy Warmer Home Scheme. Market failures such as the split incentive, legacy of lending in Ireland, and stop-start nature of government programmes are being reduced as the market is shifting to 'greening' and an overall growth in the Irish retrofit market. Europe is also having a major influence on the retrofit market, with the green deal and European projects pushing the retrofit agenda at the top level in the EU.
Financing opportunities were also identified, with the one-stop-shop business model being the most effective. Ursula Von Der Leyen's European Green Deal includes a Just Transition Mechanism to help communities most effected by the energy transition. Green mortgages and unsecured personal loans are growing in popularity in Ireland, with more lenders entering the market with packages. The Model Ecosystem was analysed using a context-mechanism-outcome approach to analyse the Key Mechanisms. A strawman Research in the Construction Sector of Deep Retrofit aimed to build a construction industry opinion base on the expansion of deep retrofit.
The main conclusions from the four researched areas were that a 'fabric first' approach was the most important retrofit process, 81% of respondents considered air tightness testing to be a must, 67% of respondents believed switching the heating system to a renewable source was also essential, and 65-71% of Architects, engineers, trades, and contractors expressed a strong appetite for more involvement in the retrofit sector. The survey found that organizing labour was the greatest operational challenge and the top knowledge gap was 'SEAI grant + Quality Requirements'. 76% chose the 'One Stop Shop' model as their preferred type of delivery organization, with 13% choosing the 'Co-op' model. The European Green Deal is a key pillar of the EU's ambition to green the economy, and green mortgages and unsecured personal loans are growing in popularity in Ireland. The Model Ecosystem was analysed using a context-mechanism-outcome approach.
Research on deep retrofit trends in Ireland found that trigger points exist and can be exploited with targeted communication, and that finance is the most significant barrier to deep retrofit. The housing stock in Ireland is the youngest in Europe, mostly owner-occupied, C or D BER rated, mostly semi-detached, and contains the least number of flats in Europe. There is significant political will both in Ireland and the EU to move towards climate neutrality, with retrofit as a fundamental step to reaching climate targets. The research identified an increase in new innovative business models such as the ESCO business model, the Energy Efficiency obligation Scheme, and the Better Energy Warmer Home Scheme. Market failures such as the split incentive, legacy of lending in Ireland, and stop-start nature of government programmes are being reduced as the market is shifting to 'greening' and an overall growth in the Irish retrofit market. Europe is also having a major influence on the retrofit market, with the green deal and European projects pushing the retrofit agenda at the top level in the EU.
The Superhomes2030 project aims to address the complexity of retrofitting in Ireland by focusing on independent finance options, technical standards, and marketing strategies. The project's Technical Standards and Contractor Development phase focuses on refining Superhomes standards, expanding approved contractor networks, and implementing quality control measures. The project also advances training programs through the Superhomes Training Plan and Resources, enhancing contractors' skills and knowledge.
The Superhomes Finance Solution design involves a collaborative effort with stakeholders to develop an ideal concept aligned with interest rates, repayment terms tied to energy efficiency, minimal paperwork, integrated solutions, and underpinned by grants. Financial stakeholders, including national banks and credit unions, engaged in discussions to refine the ideal solution.
Electric Ireland Superhomes partnered with AIB and Metamo Credit Unions to pilot the Finance Solution, targeting €2.5m in private financing. A light-touch approach was agreed upon, focusing on joint marketing efforts and implementing a finance calculator for customer convenience. Promotional materials were developed and the Finance Solution was incorporated into various communication channels.
The project integrated a new ERP system to streamline customer journey management and project delivery processes, providing real-time insights, enhancing data integrity, and improving project management efficiencies. Tablet-based survey applications standardized and automated data collection, quality checks, and communication within the contractor network, enhancing the retrofitting process.
In alignment with Work Package 5 objectives, Electric Ireland Superhomes optimized business practices, integrated Lean methodologies, and fostered an innovation culture. Task 6.4 focused on establishing a Deep Retrofit Community of Practice, engaging regions driving innovation in residential retrofit projects within the EU and beyond. Work Package 7 saw significant participation in conferences, exhibitions, workshops, and online activities to disseminate project advancements effectively.
The Superhomes Finance Solution design involves a collaborative effort with stakeholders to develop an ideal concept aligned with interest rates, repayment terms tied to energy efficiency, minimal paperwork, integrated solutions, and underpinned by grants. Financial stakeholders, including national banks and credit unions, engaged in discussions to refine the ideal solution.
Electric Ireland Superhomes partnered with AIB and Metamo Credit Unions to pilot the Finance Solution, targeting €2.5m in private financing. A light-touch approach was agreed upon, focusing on joint marketing efforts and implementing a finance calculator for customer convenience. Promotional materials were developed and the Finance Solution was incorporated into various communication channels.
The project integrated a new ERP system to streamline customer journey management and project delivery processes, providing real-time insights, enhancing data integrity, and improving project management efficiencies. Tablet-based survey applications standardized and automated data collection, quality checks, and communication within the contractor network, enhancing the retrofitting process.
In alignment with Work Package 5 objectives, Electric Ireland Superhomes optimized business practices, integrated Lean methodologies, and fostered an innovation culture. Task 6.4 focused on establishing a Deep Retrofit Community of Practice, engaging regions driving innovation in residential retrofit projects within the EU and beyond. Work Package 7 saw significant participation in conferences, exhibitions, workshops, and online activities to disseminate project advancements effectively.