The deep energy retrofit of 46 CHI homes in Westcourt, Dublin 8, began this time last year and included attic insulation, the installation of new windows and doors, and fitting new air-to-water heat pumps. Before the upgrades, the homes had an average existing Building Energy Rating (BER) rating of D1 which on completion of the works had increased to an average of B1, with some homes rating at A3.

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Retrofitting works at Westcourt formed part of a series of pilot projects in 2021, which were the forerunners to CHI’s 'Improving Warmth and Wellbeing' a programme which will see a further 216 homes upgraded over the next two years. To celebrate the end of phase one of 'Improving Warmth and Wellbeing' last week, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan was presented with a painting by CHI Member and artist Jennifer Loughran. Phase one saw the deep energy retrofit of 52 homes on Dublin’s South Earl Street and Seán MacDermott Street.

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CHI has committed to retrofitting several developments with the lowest energy performance to futureproof maintenance costs and ensure comfortable living conditions for Members. We spoke to two Westcourt Members, Bridget O’Brien, and Phyllis Fitzgerald about the improvements that the retrofit work provided one year on.

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Phyllis Fitzgerald

“I was delighted when I found out they were retrofitting the house. I kept saying ‘I can’t wait!’ now, I’m sweating in here it’s so warm. You have to keep the heating on now to maintain the temperature. I’m walking around in pyjama shorts in winter whereas I used to have to wear woolly fleece pyjamas, a house coat, stockings and slippers.  

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We found out the work was going to be done in December 2020/January 2021 and the work in my house started in July. It didn’t take them that long. The workmen knew what they were doing. It was a messy job, but they really cleared up after themselves. That’s one thing I could say, they didn’t leave much of a mess. They were fast as well. I couldn’t believe how fast they put in the windows, it only took them three or four days. It was no disruption, sure I used to be doing the dinner while they were pottering about!

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Before the retrofitting, I’d have to go to my boiler and put it on to heat up the house. Sometimes in the summer, I used to knock off the rads but 9 times out of 10, I’d have to keep the heating on because the house was freezing. I think that was due to the insulation and the windows, because once they were changed it was great.”

Bridget O’Brien

“At the start before the work began, I was a little apprehensive. Then, we got excited hearing from the neighbours who had got their homes done first what it’s like. The whole process was explained well; we got leaflets and booklets. First, they put in the heating, and then they changed the windows and doors. I’m so delighted with my new hall door in particular. The old door we had had draughts. The new door is more secure. You can definitely notice a difference, just even with the door alone, the heaviness of it. You can feel the heat when you come in.

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Even the workers were grand, they were lovely. We got booklets explaining everything. My dad, who lives next door, is a bit older and didn’t understand it. It was hard for him because it was new. They were very clear showing him all the steps. He’s still a bit stuck with it but I help him out.

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Before the retrofitting, we had gas central heating but it didn’t always work. We had low water pressure and we used to have to get repairmen out to manoeuvre the gauge. It was grand, but like that you’d turn on the heating and when you knocked it off, after an hour the house would be cold. I never put the immersion on as it was too expensive. We just put the heating on and in the summer we’d turn the rads off.

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It's handy just to have constant hot water now especially with my daughter, who is a teenager, washing her hair, having showers, washing towels... there’s a total difference. You can kind of gauge yourself how warm you want the place to be. We got the new rads in the hall, because the old one was airlocked. It’s lovely and cosy down here downstairs; it is great.”

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