Latest news with #retrofitting
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Should we buy a home with a better Ber, or look for something cheaper and retrofit?
My wife and I are looking to buy our first house in Cork. We've looked at homes with a range of energy ratings but aren't sure what is the best value. Is it good value to get a home at a lower rating and bring it up to a higher Ber rating? At some point we will probably try to buy a bigger home and so we also want to make sure the property will have a good resale value. Any advice you have on choosing a home with a higher Ber vs retrofitting would be greatly appreciated. Buying your first home is such an exciting time – but with it comes plenty of tricky decisions. Your question about the Ber (Building Energy Rating) is a very relevant one, and something we're hearing more and more from buyers. With energy costs rising and sustainability on everyone's radar, it's no surprise that energy efficiency is playing a bigger role in property decisions. Buying a lower Ber home and retrofitting Homes with a lower Ber – typically rated C, D or below – often come with a lower purchase price, which can be appealing to first-time buyers. If you're prepared to take on some work, retrofitting the property can be a great way to improve energy performance over time. Upgrades such as improved insulation, high-performance windows, modern heating systems, and solar panels can dramatically increase your home's comfort and efficiency. Better yet, there are grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which can help offset some of these costs. To learn more, visit the official website: – it's a fantastic resource for understanding what grants you may qualify for and how to apply. READ MORE That said, retrofitting isn't for everyone. Depending on the scope of work, costs can range from €20,000 to €60,000 or more, and the process can be disruptive and time-consuming. For big retrofit projects, you will need to find alternative accommodation so don't forget to factor that into your plans. If you're planning to stay in the home for several years, it can pay off in the long run – especially if the works are done to a high standard and well documented. Choosing a higher Ber home upfront Alternatively, a home with a Ber of B2 or better offers many advantages right from the start. These homes are more energy-efficient, comfortable, and often eligible for green mortgage products, which offer lower interest rates. You'll also avoid the hassle and potential risk of undertaking big retrofit works. In terms of resale value, homes with higher Ber ratings tend to sell faster and for stronger prices. As you've mentioned that you may move again in the future, this is a key point. Buyers are becoming more conscious of running costs, and energy ratings are an increasingly important factor in their decisions. A balanced approach That said, don't let the Ber rating become the only deciding factor. Other considerations are just as important when choosing your first home, including: Location – proximity to work, schools, family and public transport; Layout and size – does it suit your current lifestyle and potential plans? Orientation and outdoor space – for example, a bright south-facing garden can improve daily living; Structural condition – always check that the basics (roof, wiring, plumbing) are sound. Generally, purchasing a home with a higher Ber is preferable to buying a lower-rated home and retrofitting, as it offers immediate energy-efficiency benefits. However, the best choice depends on your budget, long-term goals, and the specific condition of the property. Consider consulting with energy-efficiency experts and professionals to assess your specific needs and determine the most appropriate path for you Majella Galvin is an estate agent and a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland Do you have a query? Email propertyquestions@ This column is a readers' service. The content of the Property Clinic is provided for general information only. It is not intended as advice on which readers should rely. Professional or specialist advice should be obtained before people take or refrain from any action on the basis of the content. The Irish Times and it contributors will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on any content
Reuters
05-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Retrofitting Qatari jet as Air Force One for Trump to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, Air Force says
WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - It will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to retrofit a Qatari luxury Boeing 747 jetliner to fly as the new Air Force One, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said on Thursday. Last month, the U.S. military accepted the gift from Qatar to transport U.S. President Donald Trump. Retrofitting the 13-year-old plane, which has a luxurious interior, will require significant security upgrades, communications improvements to prevent spies from listening in and the ability to fend off incoming missiles, experts say. "It's probably less than $400 million to retrofit that aircraft," Meink told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing. Democratic lawmakers have said it could cost more than $1 billion to retrofit the plane. Meink said a lot of those costs are ones the Air Force would have experienced anyway. "I think there has been a number thrown around, on the order of a billion dollars, but a lot of those costs associated with that are costs that we would've experienced anyway," he said, adding that this included buying additional platforms for training and spares. Legal experts have questioned the scope of laws relating to gifts from foreign governments that aim to thwart corruption and improper influence. Democrats have also sought to block the handover. Qatar has dismissed concerns about the aircraft deal. Trump has also shrugged off ethical concerns, saying it would be "stupid" not to accept the 747-8 jet. The Air Force One program has faced chronic delays over the last decade, with the delivery of two new 747-8s slated for 2027, three years behind the previous schedule. Trump toured the Qatari Boeing plane in February at a Florida airport.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Sen. Schiff demands reversal to FEMA cuts to California's earthquake retrofitting
As lawmakers in Washington D.C. battle over potential cuts to federal programs, one Senator from California is calling for millions of dollars to be reinstated into the budget for earthquake retrofitting. On Wednesday, Sen. Adam Schiff wrote an open letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator, David Richardson, urging them to restore $33 million in canceled funding that would have gone to earthquake retrofitting in California. "In California, earthquakes are not a question of if, but when," he wrote in part. "This funding is essential to the state's ability to adequately prepare for when the next major earthquake hits." The cuts are part of a larger plan to restructure FEMA; President Donald Trump has suggested outright scrapping of the agency, or making it a support agency, as he believes the states should be in charge of funding at times of emergency. While speaking to KCAL News' Amy Johnson on Thursday, Schiff said the cuts put Californians directly at risk. "For example, if your building has a carport in it, that is often not particularly safe during an earthquake," Schiff said. "That means that hundreds and hundreds of these homes won't be retrofit." Schiff also pointed to cuts to flood prevention by the Trump administration. Schiff, alongside fellow Senator from California Alex Padilla, claims that those cuts to the Army Corps of Engineers singled out blue states, and is "blatantly political." "It's as awful, as politically blatant as that. The president doesn't believe citizens in blue states should be as protected as citizens in red states," Schiff said on KCAL News on Thursday. The Trump administration has said the funds are allocated based on need. Austin Turner Austin Turner is a web producer at CBS Los Angeles. An Inland Empire native, Austin earned a degree in journalism from San Jose State University in 2020. Before joining CBS in 2025, he worked at KTLA, the San Jose Mercury News, the Sedona Red Rock News and various freelance outlets as a sports reporter. contributed to this report.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Hefty retrofit bill likely as Enwave plans shut down of more London steam lines
Moving impacted city buildings off steam heat comes with likely $5M price tag: report Image | London District Energy says portions of their steam system thst serve London's downtown core will be decommissioned. Caption: London District Energy says portions of their steam system that serves London's downtown core will be decommissioned. (Andrew Lupton/CBC) The City of London will likely face millions in retrofitting costs as Enwave looks to decommission more of its downtown steam infrastructure, including a line which heats city hall. Enwave, which owns London District Energy (LDE), told the municipality at the end of April that it would shut down most of its medium-pressure steam lines downtown by Oct. 31, 2026. In a report to next week's infrastructure and corporate services committee meeting, city staff said the reason was that sections of the line were becoming increasingly unreliable despite regular maintenance and "could present safety concerns in the future." City councillors will vote to receive the report for information. The move will impact four city properties, including City Hall, Centennial Hall, the Central Library, and Museum London, the report said. Twelve customers overall will be affected, Enwave said on its website. The Centennial House apartment building will also be impacted. This follows the company's announcement last year that it will decommission a separate low-pressure steam line in the core. It's set to shut down by the end of this month, impacting 17 customers, including the Grand Theatre and the city-owned J. Allyn Taylor building at 267 Dundas St. Converting just the J. Allyn Taylor building from steam to in-building boilers cost at least $810,000, the city said. The Grand Theatre faced a similar estimate, and council voted in August to give the venue $400,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax fund to help offset the cost. "Based on our experience, it is likely the total cost to address this issue will exceed $5 million for all affected buildings," city staff write in the report. "As the work to provide an alternative to steam heating is unplanned and not included as part of the adopted 2024-2027 multi-year budget, a source of financing will need to be identified for council approval to support the cost of this work." Converting city hall from steam to hot water heating, or hydronic heating, would be difficult, the report says. Doing the same to Centennial Hall would be very difficult, as steam is used directly in the building's heating coils. City staff say Enwave is assessing the installation of temporary boilers during the notice period until October 2026. One could be located on the west side of city hall, which sits near the end of a steam line branch. Feasible options, timelines, and cost estimates will come after a detailed impact assessment. CBC News reached out to Enwave for comment but did not receive a response before publishing. Jones Entertainment Group, which manages Centennial Hall, referred questions to the city. In a statement on the LDE website, the company says it will work with impacted customers to assist in switching to alternative heating sources. The decommissioning process, it adds, will be structured to minimize customer inconvenience and maintain continuity of service. "We have made sure to provide impacted customers within each respective zone with ample notice to switch to alternative heating systems before the onset of the upcoming winter seasons," the statement says. The company says it's completing an analysis of the remainder of the network. "If our assessments highlight areas that pose safety and/or reliability risks, we will take the necessary actions to either upgrade or decommission those sections to uphold the safety, integrity and efficiency of our service delivery to customers," the LDE website reads. No members of city administration were available to comment Wednesday. "There's a high-pressure line. I do not necessarily foresee anything coming up in the future from that, from what Enwave has informed us," Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira said Wednesday. He hesitated to comment further, as the city is still assessing impacts. Enwave and LDE provides chilled water for cooling and steam for heating to city hall, Centennial Hall, the Central Library, Museum London, RBC Place and the J. Allyn Taylor Building. The current service contract between the city and company dates to 1992. Previous figures on Enwave's website say it serves at least 60 customers, including St. Joseph's Hospital and University Hospital, and operates 10 kilometres of steam pipes. It also operates three kilometres of chilled water pipes, which will not be impacted.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Hefty retrofit bill likely as Enwave plans shut down of more London steam lines
The City of London will likely face millions in retrofitting costs as Enwave looks to decommission more of its downtown steam infrastructure, including a line which heats city hall. Enwave, which owns London District Energy (LDE), told the municipality at the end of April that it would shut down most of its medium-pressure steam lines downtown by Oct. 31, 2026. In a report to next week's infrastructure and corporate services committee meeting, city staff said the reason was that sections of the line were becoming increasingly unreliable despite regular maintenance and "could present safety concerns in the future." City councillors will vote to receive the report for information. The move will impact four city properties, including City Hall, Centennial Hall, the Central Library, and Museum London, the report said. Twelve customers overall will be affected, Enwave said on its website. The Centennial House apartment building will also be impacted. This follows the company's announcement last year that it will decommission a separate low-pressure steam line in the core. It's set to shut down by the end of this month, impacting 17 customers, including the Grand Theatre and the city-owned J. Allyn Taylor building at 267 Dundas St. Converting just the J. Allyn Taylor building from steam to in-building boilers cost at least $810,000, the city said. The Grand Theatre faced a similar estimate, and council voted in August to give the venue $400,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax fund to help offset the cost. "Based on our experience, it is likely the total cost to address this issue will exceed $5 million for all affected buildings," city staff write in the report. "As the work to provide an alternative to steam heating is unplanned and not included as part of the adopted 2024-2027 multi-year budget, a source of financing will need to be identified for council approval to support the cost of this work." Converting city hall from steam to hot water heating, or hydronic heating, would be difficult, the report says. Doing the same to Centennial Hall would be very difficult, as steam is used directly in the building's heating coils. City staff say Enwave is assessing the installation of temporary boilers during the notice period until October 2026. One could be located on the west side of city hall, which sits near the end of a steam line branch. Feasible options, timelines, and cost estimates will come after a detailed impact assessment. CBC News reached out to Enwave for comment but did not receive a response before publishing. Jones Entertainment Group, which manages Centennial Hall, referred questions to the city. In a statement on the LDE website, the company says it will work with impacted customers to assist in switching to alternative heating sources. The decommissioning process, it adds, will be structured to minimize customer inconvenience and maintain continuity of service. "We have made sure to provide impacted customers within each respective zone with ample notice to switch to alternative heating systems before the onset of the upcoming winter seasons," the statement says. The company says it's completing an analysis of the remainder of the network. "If our assessments highlight areas that pose safety and/or reliability risks, we will take the necessary actions to either upgrade or decommission those sections to uphold the safety, integrity and efficiency of our service delivery to customers," the LDE website reads. No members of city administration were available to comment Wednesday. "There's a high-pressure line. I do not necessarily foresee anything coming up in the future from that, from what Enwave has informed us," Ward 13 Coun. David Ferreira said Wednesday. He hesitated to comment further, as the city is still assessing impacts. Enwave and LDE provides chilled water for cooling and steam for heating to city hall, Centennial Hall, the Central Library, Museum London, RBC Place and the J. Allyn Taylor Building. The current service contract between the city and company dates to 1992. Previous figures on Enwave's website say it serves at least 60 customers, including St. Joseph's Hospital and University Hospital, and operates 10 kilometres of steam pipes. It also operates three kilometres of chilled water pipes, which will not be impacted.
