CASE STUDY
A Vacant Home Given New Life
A vacant mid-terrace property in Buncrana brought back to life through a comprehensive deep retrofit – combining SEAI grant funding and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to deliver an A3-rated, low-carbon home.
€23,300 SEAI Grant Secured
Full Project Management
Gas Eliminated
BEFORE
E1
306.36
kWh/m²/yr
70.21
kgCO₂/m²/yr
AFTER
A3
52.9
kWh/m²/yr
6.77
kgCO₂/m²/yr
253.46 kWh/m²/yr
improvement in energy performance
A3
New BER Rating
E1
Previous BER Rating
€23,300
SEAI Grant Secured
€20,030
Client Net Cost
€43,330
Total Project Value
76m²
Floor Area
18 wks
Mar to May 2025
6.77
kgCO₂/m²/yr Improvement
THE STORY
E1 to A3: A Complete Transformation
This mid-terrace in Buncrana had been vacant for over two years – one of thousands of properties lying empty across Ireland while housing demand continues to grow.
Rachael O’Brien saw potential where others saw a problem.
To make the project viable, REIL helped Rachael stack two grant schemes: the SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for the energy works, and the €50,000 Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant from Donegal County Council for the broader refurbishment.
Managing both applications end-to-end, REIL turned what could have been an overwhelming process into a straightforward one.
Works ran from April to August 2025, covering every element of the building fabric and heating system. The result is a fully refurbished, A3-rated home with a 91% reduction in carbon emissions – and a property that had been sitting idle for years is now a warm, efficient place to live.
Why this project stands out
- BER improved from E1 to A3
- Energy value improved by 253.46 kWh/m²/yr
- Gas central heating was replaced
- €23,300 in SEAI grants secured
- Full project management from survey to sign-off
- Completed in 18 weeks (Apr-Aug 25)
THE PERFORMANCE UPLIFT
Before and After Results
| Measure | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| BER Rating | E1 | A3 |
| Energy Value | 306.36 kWh/m²/yr | 52.9 kWh/m²/yr |
| Carbon Emissions | 70.21 kgCO₂/m²/yr | 6.77 kgCO₂/m²/yr |
| Heating System | Fossil fuel heating system | Air source heat pump |
| Energy Position | Inefficient E-rated property | Energy-positive property |
253.46
kWh/m²/yr Improvement
A whole-home retrofit delivered measurable improvement in efficiency, comfort, and carbon performance.
Two grants, two funding bodies, one coordinated project.
REIL secured €23,300 from the SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for the energy works, and €50,000 from Donegal County Council’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for the broader refurbishment – managing both applications end-to-end so Rachael didn’t have to.
SCHEDULE OF WORKS
▦
Internal Wall Insulation
Internal wall insulation was installed to significantly reduce heat loss through the external walls. This approach was chosen to suit the construction type of the property and delivers a meaningful improvement to the overall thermal envelope.
⌂
Roof Insulation, Ceiling Level
Insulation was installed at ceiling level to prevent heat escaping through the roof and to complete the upper section of the building’s thermal barrier.
▣
Floor Insulation
Floor insulation was installed to address heat loss at ground level — a measure not always included in retrofit projects but one that contributes meaningfully to overall comfort and energy performance.
▥
External Doors & Windows
Two external doors were replaced & new high-performance windows were installed across the property to reduce heat loss, eliminate draughts, and improve thermal comfort throughout the home.
◎
Air Source Heat Pump
A new air source heat pump was designed and installed to replace the existing fossil fuel heating system, providing efficient space heating and hot water at significantly lower running costs.
✓
Mechanical Ventilation (MVHR)
A mechanical ventilation system was installed to ensure healthy indoor air quality in the newly airtight property. As the building fabric was upgraded, controlled ventilation is essential to manage moisture, prevent condensation, and maintain a comfortable living environment.
PROJECT GALLERY
See the Retrofit in Progress
Key stages throughout the retrofit project.
The Buncrana property following completion of energy upgrade works
The kitchen after completion of works, including internal wall insulation which improves thermal comfort
Hot Water Cylinder
REAL-WORLD IMPACT
The Numbers That Matter
Because the property was vacant before the retrofit, there are no before-and-after bills to compare. What the numbers do show is what it actually costs to run a fully heated, A3-rated home today – with no gas, no second fuel bill, and a heat pump covering everything.
Fossil fuel costs have been eliminated entirely following the heat pump installation
€
1,750
This is the all-in annual cost of running a home that was previously cold, vacant, and uninsulated - now warm, efficient, and powered by a single low-carbon fuel source.
Electricity 9-week period
€470
9-week period (Mar – May 2026)
Gas Bill
€0
Heat pump covers all heating & hot water
Electricity Used
940 kWh
Over 9 weeks — all energy needs
Projected Annual Cost
~€1,750
Electricity only - no other fuel
CLIENT REVIEW
★★★★★
From start to finish, REIL handled everything – the works, the grants, the paperwork. What felt like a daunting process became smooth and straightforward. The results have exceeded our expectations in comfort and energy efficiency, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them
T
Rachael O’Brien
Buncrana, Co. Donegal
CONCLUSION
What This Project Demonstrates
This project demonstrates that vacant and derelict properties are not lost causes — they are opportunities. With the right support and the right combination of funding, a long-empty mid-terrace in Co. Donegal has been transformed into a warm, efficient, A3-rated home with a 91% reduction in carbon emissions.
The combination of the SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Donegal County Council Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant — both managed by REIL — shows what is possible when grant schemes are properly stacked and professionally coordinated.
For homeowners looking at vacant or run-down properties, this project is proof that the numbers can be made to work.
HOW REIL MAKES IT SIMPLE
One Managed Process From Survey to Sign-Off
Mr Thomas had a single point of contact throughout and was not required to manage contractors, applications, or compliance separately.
1
Initial Assessment
REIL assesses the home and identifies the right whole-home upgrade pathway.
2
Retrofit Plan
A coordinated upgrade plan is created across fabric, heating, and grant requirements.
3
Grant Management
SEAI grant administration is managed as part of the overall project process.
4
Installation
The building fabric, heating system, and supporting works are coordinated together.
5
Sign-Off
The completed project delivers an A1 BER and an energy-positive result.
Could Your Home Achieve a Similar Upgrade?
REIL manages the full home energy upgrade process, from assessment and retrofit planning to SEAI grants, installation, and final BER.