Retrofit pilot ends but impact lasts

After two years of community engagement and practical support, the Retrofit Ready pilot project has officially come to an end. The initiative, which operated across Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo and Leitrim, set out to bridge the knowledge gap for homeowners and communities who wanted to retrofit their houses.

At their End of Term Conference in the Ramor Arts Centre in Virginia on Monday, architect Owen McConnon reflected on the “huge success”.

At the heart of Retrofit Ready was a simple principle - trust. Community Retrofit Champions, Owen McConnon and Luke Tarmey, became the face of the programme, meeting people in community halls, local events and one-to-one clinics.

Mr McConnon explained: “It was built on trust, and trust built quickly. We weren’t selling anything. We weren’t endorsing anything. We were there to provide a service for people who might not have been aware of what was out there. We were the honest broker.”

That trust proved crucial in engaging older generations and those unfamiliar with government schemes. 'Meet the Builder' events became a standout feature. Local contractors and suppliers were invited to pitch directly to communities, offering clarity on costs and timelines, while allowing residents to identify tradespeople who could deliver the works.

Mr Tarmey highlighted the importance of approachable, localised support: “The project delivers for ordinary people – fuel allowance for example. The one-to-one clinics meant people could ask questions and get advice, rather than having to go directly to the council.”

Reflecting on the lessons learned, Mr McConnon emphasised the importance of continuing outreach: “We kept driving people towards the grants. It worked - word of mouth spread, and people came forward.”

Access to information had previously been a barrier. Many residents were initially put off by the complexity of application processes or uncertainty about grants. That is where the champions came in.

In several cases, they began by helping residents access entitlements they had not known existed, opening the door to retrofitting measures that improved comfort and cut bills.

“Many people didn’t realise that applying for the fuel allowance was a necessary step before they could qualify for the Warmer Homes grant,” explained Mr McConnon.

While walking people through the process, McConnon identified some challenges, pointing at long waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme: “Someone could be waiting a year and a half.”

Retrofit Ready was delivered by a consortium including Sligo ATU, Plan Energy, Cavan County Local Development and the Local Development Companies Network.

The project was funded under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s Community Action Programme. Sligo ATU and Plan Energy developed guides and toolkits for champions.

Guest of honour at Monday's conference was TV personality Hugh Wallace. The renowned architect advocated for the continued retrofitting of houses in his address to the audience at Ramor Arts Centre: “There are a quarter of a million buildings in Ireland looking for love. There’s a momentum to refurbish old houses.”

He encouraged people to approach those “who can help you understand how you can maximise your retrofit”.

The achievements of Retrofit Ready have also not gone unnoticed at national level. Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise & Trade, Niamh Smyth, praised the programme for making retrofitting less intimidating for households: “When we talk about retrofitting, people can get nervous about cost, contractors and complexity. This programme provided clear information, trusted support and direct access to SEAI grants. Thanks to it, people are living in warmer, healthier, more energy-efficient homes, with lower heating bills.”

She added that the project has created a model of community climate action - inclusive, practical and people-focused.

Local development leader Terry Hyland echoed this, stressing the economic potential. “We are really proud of the initiative. There is a real future for local companies in the retrofit business. We needed the ‘village approach’ - technical expertise is vital, but bringing everyone into one shared space proved transformative. The two-year pilot showed merit. Now make it mainstream,” he addressed the politicians in the room.

Ireland has set ambitious climate targets: retrofitting 500,000 homes and installing 400,000 heat pumps by 2030. Achieving these will depend not just on technology, but on people being willing and able to take part. The people involved in Retrofit Ready are a testament of its success.