Fourteen SVP Houses get A-Rated Energy Upgrade

Fourteen homes in Creeslough, owned by charity St. Vincent de Paul have been transformed from fuel poor houses into warm, cosy and energy efficient homes, thanks to the efforts of a local businessman, who pulled together SEAI grants (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), private funding and his own resources to make it happen.

 “CThe fourteen houses in St. Michael’s Terrace, which previously had BER D ratings, received new and top of the range heat pumps, radiators, triple glaze windows and doors, PV solar panels and attic insulation, which has brought them up to a BER rating of A, the top of the charts. “We are privileged to be involved in this project and to be able to give back to the community” said Terence Gallagher, who is from Falcarragh and is the co-owner of Premier Solutions, an SEAI-approved insulation contractor based in Letterkenny. "Creeslough has gone through hard times recently as we know, and it’s great to be able to help these residents and give them the comfort they deserve” he said.

“When these residents wake up in the morning now, their houses are warm, there’s a constant heat in the house and they don’t have to worry about heating costs” he added. Mr Gallagher’s company has a dual mission: to retrofit homes to a high spec SEAI standard and to manage SEAI grant applications to ensure funding for the work.

“I’m delighted that we could use our connections with the SEAI to get the funding to upgrade these homes at no cost to St. Vincent de Paul” he continued. The St. Michael’s Housing group were grateful when Mr Gallagher approached them to offer the help.

A community volunteer from the St Michael’s Housing group said the new upgrades will make a huge difference to the residents. “What it means is that they no longer have to worry about heating their homes in the winter. They have no cares, they know their houses are going to be warm, there’s no draughts, and more than anything it’s peace of mind for them” she said. “We’re so grateful to Premier Solutions for doing such a wonderful job” she added.

The St. Michaels Terrace, Creeslough project is one of several undertaken by Premier Solutions in Donegal in the last year, as part of their Community Supports policy, whereby they do home energy upgrades for fuel poor homes and those who cannot afford the cost.

Two other projects they have completed free energy upgrades on include a high dependency unit of 21 apartments in Clonmany and a unit of 12 sheltered housing apartments in Carrick.“It’s about using our resources to help those who need it” said Mr Gallagher. “Future-proofing these homes means  the residents can live in warmth without worrying about heating bills, and that’s what it’s all about” he concluded.