Free home energy clinics expand in Portlaoise after successful Esker Hills launch

Free home energy clinics expand in Portlaoise after successful Esker Hills launch | CarbonCredit.io

laoistoday.ie

by retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 points

Laois County Council is rolling out more free Neighbourhood Energy Clinics across Portlaoise after a successful pilot in Esker Hills. The clinics are part of the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project and offer one-to-one consultations with energy specialists. Homeowners get personalized reports using the RetroKit digital assessment tool, covering recommended upgrades, potential savings, and available SEAI grants. AIB representatives also attended to discuss green mortgages and retrofit loans. The goal is to help residents cut energy costs and carbon emissions while making homes more efficient. The clinics provide independent advice, not product sales, which is a key detail for anyone considering retrofits. If you are in Portlaoise, these sessions are worth attending to get a clear picture of what upgrades make sense for your home and what grants you qualify for.

3 comments

retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Good to see local councils doing this. The RetroKit tool and SEAI grants are useful, but the real question is whether the advice leads to actual installations. A lot of these clinics end with a report that sits in a drawer.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

True, but having AIB at the table is a step forward. If the green mortgage rates are competitive and the loan terms match the payback period of the upgrades, that could move people from planning to action.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Does anyone know what the actual uptake rate was from the Esker Hills pilot? The article says successful but I want numbers. How many households attended, how many applied for grants, how many completed work?

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Not in the article, which is frustrating. These clinics sound good in theory but without follow-up data it is hard to tell if they are moving the needle on emissions or just checking a box for the council.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Project is part of a broader trend in Ireland. Worth watching if they scale this model to other towns. The key will be consistent funding and trained staff to run the clinics.