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Home Retrofit & Energy Upgrades

Jul 24, 2023 | General News

Three quarters (76%) of Irish homeowners have, or plan to make their homes more energy efficient. That’s according to research by Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants.

Reducing energy bills (45%) is the main reason for carrying out home upgrades, followed by improving comfort during winter (30%), while 16% want to make their homes more environmentally friendly.

At Chadwicks, we help homeowners take the next step with expert advice, quality materials and support available nationwide through our branches and Eco Centres.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Whether you’re planning a small upgrade or a full retrofit, improving your home’s energy efficiency can:

  • Reduce energy bills
  • Improve comfort all year round
  • Increase your property value
  • Improve your BER rating

Our teams are on hand to guide you through the options and help you choose the right solutions for your home.

Common Retrofit Upgrades

Based on recent homeowner activity, the most popular upgrades include:

  • Attic insulation (54%)
  • Energy-efficient lighting (41%)
  • External wall insulation (26%)
  • Solar panel installation (growing demand)

We stock a wide range of materials to support each of these upgrades, ensuring you have everything needed to get the job done.

Understanding BER Ratings

The Building Energy Rating (BER) measures the energy performance of your home.

  • 76% of homeowners are familiar with BER
  • 63% know their home’s rating
  • 64% consider BER when buying a home

Improving your BER can make your home more efficient, more comfortable and more attractive to buyers.

Expert Advice at Your Local Chadwicks

Many homeowners are unsure where to start:

  • 25% don’t know which upgrades will have the biggest impact
  • 17% don’t know where to begin

That’s where Chadwicks can help.

Visit your local branch or Eco Centre to:

  • Get expert, practical advice
  • Identify the most effective upgrades
  • Choose the right materials for your project
  • Plan your retrofit with confidence

Making the Most of Your Budget

Cost is the biggest barrier for 64% of homeowners, but there are ways to make your budget go further.

Many homeowners are not fully aware of available supports:

  • 22% are not familiar with SEAI grants
  • 49% are only slightly familiar

Our team can help guide you towards the most cost-effective upgrades and ensure you’re making informed decisions when investing in your home.

Sustainable Building with Chadwicks

We believe that building for the future means building sustainably.

Across our business, we are:

  • Using 100% renewable energy across all branches
  • Reducing energy consumption with LED lighting
  • Supporting responsible sourcing of materials
  • Working with suppliers focused on sustainability
  • Supporting communities through environmental initiatives

We are proud members of the Irish Green Building Council, helping drive more sustainable building practices across Ireland.

Start Your Retrofit Journey

Whether you’re upgrading insulation, improving heating efficiency or planning a full home retrofit, Chadwicks is here to help.

Visit your local branch or Eco Centre today to get expert advice and the materials you need to get started.

SpeakUp is our reporting service for colleagues and anyone (e.g. customers or suppliers) connected to Chadwicks Group (part of Grafton Group) to report concerns. This action is also commonly known as ‘whistleblowing’. If you ever see something in your interaction with Chadwicks Group that could be deemed unsafe, unethical, or unscrupulous, please SpeakUp! We take concerns given in good faith very seriously and will not tolerate retaliation of any kind toward anyone who reports such instances.

You can raise your concerns through the dedicated SpeakUp website here.

Please note that this service is not to be used for customer service enquiries or issues. Please contact your local Chadwicks Group branch for such enquiries.

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