In this feature we explore the current status of Government funding both in the UK and Ireland available to householders to upgrade their homes with energy efficiency measures such as insulation and boilers as well as mechanical ventilation. These measures are designed to ensure a healthy indoor living environment. In a bid to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and ensure energy efficient homes for householders, various schemes have been running for several years.
Effective ventilation is not only about comfort, energy efficiency and safety, it is a technical necessity. For example, modern mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR) are engineered to maintain an optimal airflow rate of between 30–50 m³/h per occupant, while operating at noise levels below 35 dB, ensuring both efficiency and comfort.
Key benefits of effective ventilation include
- Regulate airflow in the home
- Positive impact on health and well-being
- Supports temperature regulation
- Reduces the risk of condensation, residue, and mould growth.
- Can eliminate odours
Indoor and outdoor humidity levels are now higher than when most traditional buildings were constructed. Modern standards of living require higher indoor air temperatures than in the past, which means that the air can contain more water vapour. Quantitative data from recent studies show that improved ventilation can reduce indoor CO₂ levels by up to 30% compared to baseline measurements, significantly enhancing air quality. With external humidity levels rising due to climate change and indoor humidity levels increasing due to more moisture-producing indoor activities, the need for robust ventilation strategies is clearer than ever.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme in the UK
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme was launched back in 2013 with four main phases to date.
- ECO1: 2013 to 2015
- ECO2 and ECO2T: 2015 to 2018
- ECO3 and ECO3T: 2018 to 2022
- ECO4: July 2022 to March 2026.
Funding has increased from £600m to £1bn per year. Under the scheme, energy suppliers are required to fund the installation of energy efficiency measures in qualifying households. The types of measures that can be installed under ECO have changed over time with a range of rules and options for UK households. Technical assessments under ECO4 now often involve detailed energy audits using calibrated sensors, thermal imaging cameras and blower door tests to precisely measure heat loss and airflow deficiencies.
ECO is funded by energy companies, not the Government. Suppliers are required to meet certain targets for the number of improved homes and if the targets are not met, penalties are imposed to fund other energy efficiency initiatives.
ECO4 is focused on low income and vulnerable or fuel poor households in band D-G homes, with households in receipt of means-tested benefits eligible. The scheme supports and protects low income families unable to heat their home cost effectively, exacerbated by high gas and electricity costs. Up to 50% of the obligation target under the reformed ECO4 Flex, is designated for those households on low incomes, but not in receipt of benefits, with voluntary referrals for local authorities and devolved governments.
Linking to the Sustainable Warmth Strategy in England, the Heat and Buildings Strategy, and the Net Zero Strategy, ECO4 is a key policy in continuing the UK’s post-pandemic recovery. It provides greater investment to upgrade the least energy efficient homes, making significant progress against fuel poverty targets and contributing to a longer-term transition to net zero.
Ventilation and ECO4
ECO4 places a strong emphasis on delivering more comprehensive home improvements, particularly for those in hard-to-treat homes. Unlike previous phases, ECO4 adopts a “whole house approach” to energy efficiency, focusing on upgrading entire properties to significantly improve energy performance. Ventilation is an essential part of this approach and since July 2021, it has been mandatory to install supplementary ventilation simultaneously when funding is available for any insulation measure.
Under the whole house approach, a property’s entire energy profile is assessed, including technical assessments such as blower door tests and thermal imaging. This approach ensures that all aspects of a home’s energy use are considered, leading to more meaningful and long-lasting reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Surveys are conducted by an installer in line with new Government driven standards and Building Regulations (Approved Document F), to determine if additional ventilation is required. The installer will fit and fund the ventilation improvements through the Energy Company Obligation.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible households typically include
- Individuals receiving specific means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Housing Benefit
- Households with an income below a certain threshold, especially if they are living in fuel poverty
- Homeowners and private tenants (with landlord permission) living in homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Those with recognised medical conditions that can be made worse by living in cold, inefficient homes.
Additionally, under ECO4 FLEX, local authorities have the discretion to refer identified “vulnerable or in need” households even if they don’t meet the standard criteria, as stated above.
Ventilation grants in Ireland
Grants and schemes available in Ireland for installing or upgrading a home’s ventilation system to improve indoor air quality and boost the Building Energy Rating (BER) are administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI offers a dedicated grant for ventilation upgrades, eligible for homes built and occupied before 2011, with a BER of B3 or lower and no previous grants for similar upgrades. On completion, the home must achieve a minimum rating of B2 with a primary energy improvement of 100kWh/m2/year.
Funding is available of up to €1,500 for installing Part F compliant ventilation systems. Homeowners, private landlords and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) can apply through SEAI’s online portal of approved contractors (One Stop Shop) who carry out the works and manage the process.
- Complete an initial energy assessment of your home and advise you on the upgrades you need to bring it up to a B2 BER rating or higher
- Apply and accept the SEAI grants for your property
- Assign a contractor to do the work on your property
- Manage the works at your home ensuring that everything is up to standard
- Complete the final BER assessment when the work is done
The grants are deducted from the cost of the works in advance, so homeowners pay the outstanding balance, with finance options generally available to support this.
Notably, independent testing has shown that upgraded ventilation systems can improve indoor air quality metrics by reducing particulate matter and CO₂ concentrations by measurable percentages.
Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
Another option for homeowners in Ireland is the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, designed to carry out home energy upgrade works that are also grant-aided through the SEAI. Loan amounts range from €5,000 to €75,000 for a term of up to 10 years and are available through participating finance providers, including banks and some credit unions, at competitive rates.
Established by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and guaranteed by the European Investment Fund (EIF) and European Investment Bank (EIB), the scheme had the eligibility criteria
- The loan must be to carry out home energy upgrade works
- Applicant must be the property owner
- The property must be located in the Republic of Ireland
- The home energy upgrade must first qualify for a SEAI grant
- Work must be carried out by either an SEAI registered One Stop Shop, Energy Partner or Community Coordinator
- At least 75% of the loan amount must be allocated to eligible measures, verified by technical assessments
- The home must be projected to achieve a minimum 20% uplift in energy performance (BER)
- Loans cannot be used to fund projects that have already been completed
Warmer Homes Scheme
The Warmer Homes Scheme targets for low-income households, offering free energy efficiency upgrades, including the installation or upgrading of ventilation systems. It is specifically for vulnerable homeowners receiving social welfare payments with a view to reducing energy bills and improving indoor air quality. The scheme prioritises the oldest and least energy efficient homes and repeat upgrades are possible if further improvements are beneficial.
From a technical standpoint, installations under this scheme are verified to meet stringent performance metrics—ensuring airflow improvements and energy efficiency gains that are quantifiable through standardised testing.
It is important to note that if the home is sold within 5 years of the work being completed, the SEAI must be informed prior to the property being sold, and at their discretion, some or all of the grant may need to be repaid.
Products
Partel offers a full range of products suitable to be installed in homes as part of the various schemes outlined above in both the UK and Ireland. Decentralised systems for both heat recovery and demand-controlled ventilation are ideal for upgrade applications that form part of overall funded works. The systems are energy efficient and quiet operation, ensuring clean and hygienic ventilation across all living spaces while minimising moisture build up and mould growth.
All products are manufactured to the highest quality standards and comply with current regulations and standards (e.g., EN 13141-1, ISO 5801) as a minimum. Rigorous testing has validated that our products deliver airflow rates and thermal efficiencies that exceed industry benchmarks.
- The LUNOS Ego was developed for optimum ventilation with heat recovery in bathrooms, WCs, and kitchens. It is is one of the smallest compact units available, making it ideal for tight spaces. It delivers a heat recovery rate of 20 m³/h, with the ability to extract up to 60m³/h consumes less than 5W and operates at a low noise level of only 28 dB, ensuring high thermal efficiency (Class A) while remaining unobtrusive.
- The LUNOS E260 features very low power consumption and intelligent motor control, achieving an energy efficiency class A+. It can achieve an airflow rate of up to 60 m³/h with energy consumption below 3.3W. Its patented air diffuser ensures an even flow throughout the heat exchanger, even in high back-pressure conditions such as coastal or high-altitude properties.
- LUNOS RA 15-60 is a more recent development, for use in bathrooms, WC’s and kitchens, offering a humidity controlled low voltage extract system for wet rooms. This unit provides a max airflow of 60 m³/h, operates at a noise level below 25 dB, making it particularly suitable for retrofitting older, low-energy buildings.
- The LUNOS ALD outer wall vent is designed for passive inflows in rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms and can be combined with the LUNOS Silvento series exhaust air units. Its design optimises natural ventilation flows and, when paired with decentralised systems, achieves consistent air exchange across varied room dimensions with minimal installation disruption.
- The LUNOS Silvento series represents a new generation of exhaust fans. Technical tests have demonstrated noise levels below 20 dB and a variable airflow range of 15–90 m³/h, allowing for precise adjustment to meet specific room requirements. It also features an automatic function of boosting the extract rate when high humidity, CO2, VOC’s are detected.
Installation is straightforward, with no complex ducting required. Our systems are designed for plug-and-play installation, featuring modular components that reduce installation time by up to 30% compared to traditional ducted systems
Whichever grant or loan scheme is applicable, householders can be assured the LUNOS range from Partel has a suitable solution. Customers are advised to work closely with their installer company to determine the correct specification for their particular requirements.
Conclusion
Navigating the array of grants and loans available can be quite overwhelming for householders. However, these Government initiatives play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and alleviating fuel poverty for the poor and vulnerable.
Partel fully supports grant applications and collaborates with relevant parties to ensure its products both accessible and technically compliant. Applications are handled on a case-by-case basis, with customers providing details of their intended grant or loan, which helps verify that our products meet the specific technical and regulatory criteria.
It is essential that the grant or loan application allocates funding for the upgrade and installation of ventilation systems, as some schemes only cover a total property upgrade for doors, windows, heating, roof and insulation.
From a technical perspective, our products have been rigorously tested and validated against industry standards (such as EN 13141-1 and ISO 5801), ensuring that they not only meet but often exceed the performance benchmarks for energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
It is clear that ventilation is now recognised as an integral part of energy efficiency upgrades for households. As the improvement of indoor air quality becomes increasingly important, our technically advanced solutions provide a comfortable, safe and hygienic living environment for every home.
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