Insulation and retrofitting: Peter has moved with the times to keep providing one of the most costefficient means of heating homes

WITH Ireland’s often cold, wet and dreary weather, insulation on houses has been a must for many years.

While this is still very much the case, the world of insulation has also moved with the times to be more energy efficient and is being addressed with the rise of Retrofitting - changes to an existing building with the overall aim of making improvements in that building’s energy efficiency.

Peter Moran - of Moran Retrofit Solutions - has been installing insulation for years and is one of many in the trade who now provides retrofitting in Sligo and the wider north west area.

Explaining his background in the trade, he said: “I’ve been doing insulation for a long time now. My dad has the same business – even during secondary school, I used to work there during the summers.

“I went full-time in 2008 doing cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, etc, I’ve been a year trading now since I became self-employed.

“I made the decision to go self-employed as the grants are now a big help to the home owner now and I also felt that it was the right time.”

Since becoming self-employed, Peter said he has enjoyed the opportunities that have arisen and the volume of work has been consistent,

“It’s been pretty good in the year so far and all is going well. It’s all checked by the NSAI (National

Standards Authority of Ireland).

“There’s a lot more paperwork to be honest but it’s getting easier and better now with quotes coming in every day.”

On the purpose of insulation and retrofitting, Peter explained why it is necessary and the best solution for providing heat in many homes in a cost-efficient way for many homeowners to heat their homes.

“Insulation does what it’s meant to do. A lot of houses that were built in the 80s and 90s still have a two-inch gap (cavity) right around the centre of the house. With this (insulation) system, it’s the quickest, the most easiest and most cost-effective way.

“It keeps the heat in the house – in the long run, insulation pays for itself in the end. You save a third on your heating bills over the course of a year.

“My own house has standard insulation in the attic. I was filling up the oil tank every two months. I’m not even able to fill a tank now and the insulation retains the heat.

“For the future, I want to grow my business and go into the external wall insulation aspect which involves the wrapping of the house.

“If the house has no cavity, you can wrap the house with external wall insulation. It’s bordered, it’s plastered and it’s an acrylic painted finish afterwards and it gives the house a new lease of life.”

Moran Retrofit Solutions can be reached by calling 087 9035532.