Kildare's Barretstown gets €1.2m retrofit-rating jump

A DEEP retrofit of Barretstown has saved the children’s charity an estimated €55,000 in annual energy costs, it was revealed this week.

Appropriately, the Board of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) visited the campus and held its June Board meeting on site.

Works carried out include the installation of external wall insulation, heat pumps and new windows and doors to 15 of the family cottages and staff accommodation.

Outdoor lighting was also upgraded and EV chargers installed in the main car park.

The energy upgrade project cost €1.2m with SEAI grant support of €600,000 and additional €120,000 community contribution through the energy credits/corporate donation.

The remaining €480,000 was provided by Barretstown.

Barretstown offers free, specially designed camps and programmes for children and their families living with a serious illness – supported by 24 hours on site medical and nursing care. The energy upgrade project was completed in nine months, ensuring the highest standard of work, while the kids' camps continued to operate each weekend.

“For almost 30 years, our cottages have welcomed families and created countless special memories,” said Dee Ahearn, CEO at Barretstown.

“As they aged, however, they became less energy efficient and more costly to keep warm, making it clear that it was time for a significant upgrade.

“By transforming the energy rating of all 15 cottages from a C3 to B1, we’ve created warmer, more sustainable spaces while reducing running costs.

“Those savings mean we can invest more.”