New online tool helps homeowners control energy costs

To find out more, find the MyGreenEstimate tool on myhome.ie.

MYGREENESTIMATE is a feature on the Myhome.ie website that provides house hunters and visitors with the current Building Energy Rating (BER) of a property, along with the estimated cost of refurbishment works needed to improve its energy rating.

The tool also estimates the average monthly cost of running the property, helping prospective buyers to make informed decisions about their potential house purchase.

With links to information about the property improvement grants available, from energy upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to refurbishment grants provided through the local government, MyGreenEstimate gives is a future-focused planning, affordability, and sustainability tool.

How it works

The existing BER is provided by the estate agent when they upload the property to MyHome.ie. The existing running costs of the property are then calculated based on the BER provided and data sourced by the SEAI on an average usage basis.

The energy cost estimate of a property is calculated based on the BER, the unit cost of the fuel used to heat the house, and the size of the house itself.

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The potential BER is then determined based on energy efficiencies that can be made through appropriate property improvements and upgrades, like replacing windows and doors or the installation of solar panels or heat pumps.

The potential cost involved in refurbishing the house in order to improve its BER is based on a couple of variables: The cost of the item being installed or upgraded, such as doors, windows and boilers, and the cost of the labour required to install the item. But a heads up, they exclude any cost associated with non-energy related upgrades such as painting and decorating!

To find out more, find the MyGreenEstimate tool on myhome.ie.

 

 

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