Thinking about retrofitting your home?

Cork City Council has opened a new Home Energy UpGrade Office (HEUGO) on the Grand Parade in Cork City where homeowners can access free guidance on how to reduce their carbon footprint.

The first of its kind in Ireland, the new HEUGO office will provide free impartial guidance and resources to homeowners on energy upgrades and grant schemes from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

📢Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

🏡The new Home Energy Upgrade Office on Grand Parade St has officially opened!

👋Stop by the office for #FREE info on grant schemes and advice improving your home’s energy rating

📅Mon-Fri
🕔9am-5pm

ℹ️https://t.co/3HkkJ0CMiV pic.twitter.com/r6ZJ8dxWYo

— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) July 13, 2022

This new initiative follows the recent announcement from the European Commission that Cork has been selected as one of 100 ‘Mission Cities’ to lead the way on climate action and smart cities across Europe.

Located in the Pod on Grand Parade Street (adjacent to Bishop Lucey Park), anybody interested in retrofitting, decarbonising, or improving the energy rating of their home is welcome to stop by the HEUGO office for free and independent advice.

A total of €8 billion of Exchequer funding (including €5 billion in carbon tax revenues) will be available to support residential upgrades to 2030.

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and sets Ireland on the path to achieve net-zero by 2050. The housing sector is responsible for a quarter of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“To date, over 450,000 homes across Ireland have carried out home energy upgrades with Government grants from SEAI.” said Ciaran Byrne, Director of National Retrofit with SEAI.

“This has made their homes warmer, cosier, and more energy-efficient.”