NI Housing Executive Energy Efficiency of

HousingNoel Rice

20th November 2013

Energy Conservation Strategic Context House Condition Survey 2011 NIHE Heating Policy Current Projects

Cavity Wall Insulation Research Solid Wall Insulation Solar PV Panels

Renewable Pilot Projects Economic Benefits of Energy Efficiency

Contents

NIHE is Home Energy Conservation Authority Energy efficiency of housing improved by

22.4% since 1996 – All tenures Energy rating up from 41 to 60 (46 to 55 in

England over same period) Savings of 2.5m tonnes of CO2 pa However, fuel poverty has increased Fuel prices and income are factors

Energy Conservation Strategic Context

Heating Systems- All tenures

Gas Oil Coal Electric Dual Others0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

6000001996 2011

66%6%

5%

23% Full Cavity

Partial Cavity

Internal/External Ins

No wall insulation (2/3 are SOLID wall)

Wall Insulation 2011- All tenures

Cavity wall insulation where appropriate Costs £450 - £500 Savings – Up to £140pa

Mineral Wool or Bonded Bead Quality Issues – Sufficient fibre at right

pressure/density – sufficient glue for beads Cavity should be at least 50mm wide Check external wall condition/exposure Current investigative research project ongoing

Cavity Wall Insulation

Loft Insulation 2011 – All tenures

13%

46%

35%

2%4%

< 100mm100-150mm>150mmDon’t KnowNo loft insu-lation

270mm of loft insulation Costs around £300 Savings (0-270mm) Up to £180pa Savings (100mm to 270mm) £25pa Ventilation and wiring issues

Hot Water Tank – DIY Cost £15 – Savings £45pa Pipes – DIY Cost £10 – Savings £15pa Draught proofing with appropriate ventilation* All figures from EST for 3 bedroom gas heated semi

Loft Insulation

Double Glazing 2011- All tenures

80%

12%8%

Full Double GlazedPartial Double GlazedNo Double Glazing

Natural Gas where available Network may move West Outside gas area

Oil Condensing Boiler or Wood Pellet Boiler Solid Fuel open fire (exceptional basis) Secondary Sources

Solid Fuel Open Fire (no boiler) Focal Point electric Fire

Evaluate range of innovative alternative

NIHE Heating Policy

Annual Cost £ House Coal 1318 Oil Non-Condensing 1573 Oil condensing 1287 Gas Condensing (PNG) 1093 Gas Non-Condensing 1327 Gas Condensing (Firmus) 1041 Wood Pellet Boiler 1055 Economy 7 1761 LPG Condensing 2020 LPG Non-Condensing 2463 Boiler upgrade from G to A can save £300 pa

Heating Costs – 3 bed semi

Initially Greater Belfast 1996-2007 Firmus Network; Newry, W’point, Banbridge, Armagh,

Craigavon, Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Derry

Includes rural villages en route Gas to the West

licence competition 2013/14 NI Assembly committed £32.5m Includes towns of Dungannon, Coalisland, Cookstown,

Magherafelt, Omagh, Strabane, Enniskillen and Derrylin

Gas Network

Is there a problem with existing CWI? Possible problems maybe:

Fibre insulation – e.g. has it settled? Bonded bead – e.g. sufficient glue? Insulation board – e.g. properly fitted?

Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) - Research

NIHE – commissioned research on 300 dwellings across NI

Research being undertaken by SERC Provide evidence base for remedial

programme, if required Make recommendations & shape policy

CWI - Research

CWI - Upgrade

120,000 solid wall houses in NI 83,000 no insulation - mostly private Internal Wall Insulation £5.5k to £8.5k* Savings £445pa External Wall Insulation £9.5k - £13k* Savings £475pa* Estimates from Energy Saving Trust based on heating a gas fired semi-detached dwelling with 3 bedrooms

Solid Wall Insulation

Coleraine Project – Work in Progress

Generates electricity from daylight Use it or lose it Renewable Obligation Certificates Export Tariff Costs have reduced in recent years 3kWp system costs £6k- £7k Income generation £490pa plus bill Plus lower bills Rent a Roof Schemes available Maintenance

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

Solar PV Panels

Heat water using light from the sun Property should be south facing Flat plate and evacuated tube Installed in 2,032 NIHE Homes – EREF fund Saves around £60-£85 per year – depends on usage pattern DETI Grant OF £320 under Renewable Heat Premium

Payment Average Cost £2.5 to £4k Maintenance – Anti-freeze, valves, hoses,…*Figures from EST

Solar Thermal Panels

Solar Thermal Panel

Wood Pellet Boiler

Average cost - £4K - £10K (Manually fed)Grants - Renewable Heat Premium Payment £2,500

Renewable EnergyHeat Pumps

Ground Source Heat PumpAverage cost – £8k - £10KGrants – Renewable Heat Premium Payment £3,500

Air Source Heat PumpAverage cost - £6KGrants – Renewable Heat Premium Payment £1,700See www.detini.gov.uk

Lower fuel bills – increased disposable income for spend on other things

Less fuel debt and fuel poverty Reduced maintenance costs Increased value of home Greater warmth/comfort Less risk of ill health Energy programmes create jobs Minimises economic cost of damage to environment

Economic Benefits of Energy Efficiency

Affordability of all fuels Particular issue with budgeting for oil Insulation for solid wall dwellings Whole house approach Funding required programmes Income dimension of fuel poverty Infrastructure improvements

Challenges