Behind The Walls | #13 with Caitriona O'Connor

Behind The Walls | #13 with Caitriona O'Connor

In this episode of Behind the Walls, hosts Pete and Ferg are joined by Caitriona O'Connor, Show Director of the  PTSB Ideal Home Show. With over 30 years of history behind the event, Caitriona shares insights into how Irish homeowners’ priorities have evolved—from basic upgrades to full-scale energy-efficient retrofits. The conversation dives into everything from the rise of heat pumps, solar panels, and insulation (“fabric first”) to common (and costly) mistakes homeowners make when upgrading their homes. They also explore current trends like outdoor living spaces, modular homes, smart technology, and the growing importance of BER ratings. If you're planning a renovation, considering a retrofit, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical advice, expert insights, and tips on how to make the most of the Ideal Home Show. 00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome Introduction to the episode and guest Caitriona O'Connor, Show Director of the Ideal Home Show. 00:30 – History of the Ideal Home Show Overview of the show’s 30+ year legacy and Katrina’s 18 years managing it. 01:06 – How Home Trends Have Changed Shift in homeowner priorities—from aesthetics to energy efficiency and retrofits. 01:42 – Post-Covid Home Upgrades Rise in demand for insulation, attic conversions, and energy-saving improvements. 02:21 – Variety of Exhibitors & What to Expect Breakdown of the wide range of construction and home improvement sectors at the show. 03:09 – What’s Trending Right Now Outdoor living, saunas, garden rooms, and wellness-focused home features. 03:33 – Expert Talks & Speakers Overview of expert panels, including retrofit specialists, architects, and engineers. 04:50 – “Fabric First” Explained Why insulation and airtightness should come before heating systems or solar. 05:37 – Why Face-to-Face Advice Matters Importance of asking questions and getting expert guidance in person. 06:41 – Who Should Attend the Show? Why the event suits everyone—from casual shoppers to serious renovators. 07:06 – What’s at the Show (Theatres & Features) Home Advice Theatre, Interiors Theatre, Chef’s Stage, and “Ask an Expert” hub. 08:20 – Simplifying Complex Topics Breaking down industry jargon and avoiding confusion for homeowners. 09:28 – Costly Mistakes to Avoid Real-life example of poor planning leading to wasted money on solar panels. 10:12 – The “Cherry on Top” Concept Why solar PV should come after proper insulation and energy upgrades. 11:39 – Importance of Trusted Advice Avoiding misinformation and relying on qualified experts. 12:15 – Key Speakers & Topics Featuring architects, lenders, retrofit experts, and grant advisors. 13:22 – Event Layout & What to Expect Breakdown of exhibition areas and where to find advice and talks. 14:32 – Why the Show Appeals to Everyone Blending construction, interiors, and lifestyle elements. 15:05 – Planning Your Visit How to approach the show strategically for maximum benefit. 16:17 – Bringing Plans & Doing Research Why preparation helps you get the most from expert advice. 17:12 – Time Needed at the Show Visitors typically spend 4–5 hours exploring. 17:36 – Why People Are Renovating Instead of Moving Housing crisis impact and rise in home upgrades. 18:19 – Energy Costs & Future-Proofing Homes Why energy efficiency is becoming a top priority. 19:16 – Grants & Financial Incentives Importance of using available grants and funding options. 20:04 – BER Ratings & Property Value How energy ratings now influence buying decisions. 21:03 – Decision-Making for Homeowners Balancing cost, comfort, and long-term investment. 21:57 – Smart Homes & Technology Trends Growth in automation, security, and energy management systems. 22:55 – Outdoor Living Boom Garden rooms, outdoor kitchens, and wellness spaces. 24:40 – Insulation & Ventilation Importance Avoiding common issues like condensation and damp. 27:16 – Ventilation Deep Dive Why it’s often overlooked but critical for healthy homes. 28:55 – Current Top Trends Recap Energy upgrades, kitchens, bathrooms, and smart homes. 30:05 – Lessons from Covid Living How lockdown changed how we use and value our homes. 31:14 – Decluttering & Maximizing Space Importance of efficient layouts and storage solutions. 32:16 – Minimalism & Wellness in Design Shift toward simpler, calmer home environments. 33:18 – Final Advice for Visitors Ask questions, attend talks, and engage with experts. 34:05 – Preparing for the Show Bring plans, photos, and documents for better advice. 35:49 – Event Details & Schedule Dates, times, and tips for attending. 38:30 – Best Time to Visit & Planning Tools Using the website and product finder to plan your day. 39:05 – Building Relationships with Experts Why meeting professionals in person matters. 41:23 – Tickets & Final Info How to register, get tickets, and plan your visit. 42:01 – Outro Final thoughts and reminder to check out previous episodes.

Behind The Walls | #12 with April McHale

Description Following on from their viral episode on the new SEAI grant uplifts, Pete and Retrofit Ferg go deep on the grant that got the biggest boost — the heat pump grant, now worth up to €12,500. To do it justice, they brought in the right person: April McHale of Mitsubishi Electric, with over 25 years of experience in the heating industry. This episode is a masterclass in everything heat pumps. April and the lads cover how heat pumps actually work, why fabric-first is the right approach (for any heating system), and what the installation process really looks like from start to finish. They bust the most common myths — noise, running costs, power cuts — and give homeowners a clear, step-by-step roadmap for applying for the grant, getting a technical assessment, and getting the work done correctly. There's also a real-life cautionary tale about €18,000 worth of grants lost due to bad advice, a discussion of the new high-temperature heat pump pilot using R290 refrigerant, and an honest, first-hand account of a heat pump installed in a stone cottage from the 1800s that proves the technology works in even the most unlikely homes. If you're thinking about a heat pump — or know someone whose boiler is on its last legs — this is required listening. Timecodes 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction Pete and Ferg introduce the episode as a follow-up to their viral SEAI grants episode. This one goes deep on heat pumps, with special guest April McHale of Mitsubishi Electric. 01:10 – Meet April McHale April's background — 25+ years in the heating industry, starting with underfloor heating in 1999, moving through geothermal and air-to-water heat pumps, solar, and retrofit. Now with Mitsubishi Electric. 03:04 – New Builds vs Retrofit: Why Heat Pumps Work So Well New builds are built to airtight standards and are a natural fit for heat pumps. The challenge — and the big opportunity — is retrofitting heat pumps into existing homes. 04:49 – Fabric First: Why Your Home Needs to Be Ready You can install a heat pump in any home, but the better insulated it is, the lower the running temperature and the greater the efficiency. Attic insulation, wall insulation, good windows — these all matter regardless of what heating system you're using. 06:13 – The Triple Win of Heat Pumps One unit of electricity generates 3–4 units of heat. Zero combustion, no fumes, better air quality. Lower running costs, dramatically better comfort levels, and better for the environment. Pete's "triple win" explained. 07:35 – Addressing the Negativity Around Heat Pumps Why do heat pumps get such a bad press? April explains the reason: they're always pushed to run at low temperatures for efficiency, and when they're not designed or installed properly, problems follow. The solution: use SEAI-registered contractors. 07:52 – The New Heat Pump Grant: €12,500 Explained Breakdown of the new grant: €6,500 base + €4,000 renewable heat bonus + €2,000 for central heating upgrades (radiators or underfloor heating). Now covers 60–65% of overall costs in most cases. 09:17 – Heat Pump vs Oil Boiler: The Real Comparison Yes, a boiler swap costs less upfront. But you're locking in fossil fuels for another 15–20 years. Carbon taxes are going one way. The grants are there now — this is the time to make the switch. 11:59 – What a Heat Pump Installation Actually Involves Outdoor unit, new cylinder, updated radiators if needed. A typical retrofit swap-out takes about two days. April walks through exactly what to expect and what gets disrupted. 13:27 – Comfort Levels: The Thing No One Talks About Enough Lower flow temperatures, consistent background heat, no blast-and-freeze cycle. The difference in comfort when moving from oil/gas to a heat pump is something homeowners consistently rave about. 16:36 – Air Quality & Health Benefits No combustion, no flue, no fumes. A heat pump means cleaner air inside your home. A benefit that's often overlooked. 17:35 – Changing Your Habits with a Heat Pump Leaving oil and gas behind means leaving behind the Irish habit of rationing heat. With a heat pump, you set your temperature and leave it — consistent, low, ambient heat all the time. Don't turn it off when you go out. 20:07 – Just Leave It Alone The single most important piece of advice for heat pump owners. Set it, leave it. No need to interfere. The system manages itself. 22:19 – Servicing & Maintenance Heat pumps should be serviced every year — it's a condition of warranty in most cases. Not expensive, not complicated. Don't wait for something to go wrong. 23:57 – Heat Pump Reliability April and Ferg's experience: no callbacks, no breakdowns. When sized and installed correctly, heat pumps just quietly and consistently do their job. 25:05 – How to Apply for the Grant: Step by Step Go online to the SEAI portal, enter your MPRN, get instant approval. Then get your energy assessment, choose a registered installer, get the work done, submit paperwork, receive payment. Eight months to complete the work under the individual grant. 26:13 – Technical Assessment & Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) Explained What is the heat loss indicator? Why does it matter for heat pump grants? How does a BER rating differ from a HLI? And why solar PV can give you a great BER but still leave you with a poor HLI. 29:07 – Getting a Home Energy Assessment: The Smart Starting Point Why getting a full home energy assessment (including technical assessment) through a One-Stop Shop gives you all the information you need in one go — the BER advisory report, roadmap, and technical assessment — for a combined grant of €350. 33:08 – Common Urban Myths: Noise Does a heat pump make a constant loud noise? Not if it's installed correctly. The outdoor fan is quiet, the thermal insulation in a properly upgraded home has acoustic benefits, and placement matters. Ferg's gas boiler used to wake him up at 6am. His heat pump doesn't. 36:05 – The Danger of Bad Advice: A €18,000 Cautionary Tale A homeowner got new windows and a heat pump installed before applying for grants — on a builder's advice. Result: €18,000 in grants lost. There are no retrospective SEAI grants. Always get approval first. 39:33 – How to Qualify Your Information Source Don't rely on Facebook, social media "experts," or even mainstream media commentators. Go to the SEAI website. Speak to registered contractors. Get it in writing. And make sure you get approval before a single bit of work is done. 41:41 – Grant Timeline & Flexibility Eight months to complete work under individual grants; 12 months for One-Stop Shop. Once you're in the system and communicating with SEAI, they will work with you. The key is getting approval first. 42:03 – The Installation Process in Detail Heat loss calculations room by room, radiator sizing, cylinder sizing, pipework assessment, controls and zoning. It's all done by the installer — the homeowner doesn't need to worry about any of it. 44:16 – Radiators: Steel vs Aluminium, and Practical Upgrades Steel radiators are cheaper, more widely available, and perfectly suitable for heat pump systems. Going from single to double panel is often all that's needed to get the right output — no need for complete replacements.

Behind The Walls | #11 with Steven Farrell

In this episode of Behind the Walls, Roy, Ferg (aka The Retrofit Guy), and special guest Stephen from the SEAI break down the latest Irish home energy grant changes and what they actually mean for homeowners. With recent grant increases and new measures announced, the lads cut through the noise and misinformation to explain: * What grants have increased * Who is eligible (and who isn’t) * The truth about windows & doors grants * How to upgrade your home step by step, without wasting money * Why insulation still comes before shiny upgrades * How to create a long-term retrofit pathway that leads to heat pumps and lower bills This is a must-listen for homeowners, first-time buyers, and anyone thinking about energy upgrades in 2025 and beyond. Timecodes 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 00:45 – Grant increases announced: what’s changed and why it matters 02:10 – Heat pump grants explained (€12.5k breakdown) 03:45 – One Stop Shop vs individual grants 04:28 – New high-temperature heat pump pilot (boiler-style heat pumps) 06:45 – Who high-temp heat pumps are best suited for 07:38 – Attic & cavity wall insulation grant increases 09:10 – How to apply for individual grants (step-by-step) 10:12 – Why insulation is still the best first upgrade 12:00 – Comfort vs cost: why insulation changes everything 14:50 – Registered contractors vs “cheap jobs” explained 18:25 – Windows & doors grants: what everyone is asking 19:03 – Windows & doors now available as standalone grants 20:16 – Eligibility rules: attic & walls must be “good” or “very good” 21:13 – BER advisory reports explained simply 22:00 – Why windows aren’t a free-for-all 24:17 – Why a home energy assessment is essential 26:04 – Creating a realistic retrofit pathway over time 27:27 – First-time buyer enhanced insulation grants 28:23 – Why One Stop Shops still matter 29:16 – Airtightness, ventilation & hidden upgrades 30:06 – Project management realities homeowners underestimate 32:24 – Breaking down the windows & doors pathway clearly 34:08 – External wall insulation vs internal dry lining 36:35 – Easy wins: attic + cavity wall first 38:12 – Heat pumps myths vs reality 39:36 – Why solar PV should be the “cherry on top” 41:34 – Can you get a second wall insulation grant? 43:03 – Extra supports for energy-poor households 44:00 – Final thoughts: spending money in the right order

Behind The Walls | #10 with Mike Finnerty

In this Behind the Walls season finale, Pete and Fergal are joined by special guest Mike Finnerty to wrap up an incredible year of homeowner education, retrofit insights, and myth-busting. Together, they break down what homeowners still need to know, why government clarity matters more than ever, and how Season 2 will raise the bar even higher. The trio dive into the big questions facing the retrofit journey:  • Will grants change next year?  • Are government ministers truly committed?  • What information do homeowners need now to make confident decisions? 00:00 – 00:31:04  Opening & Why the Podcast Exists Pete and Fergal reflect on their mission to break down retrofit knowledge for everyday homeowners — joined today by guest Mike Finnerty. 31:04 – 32:24  Keeping It Simple: Breaking Down Technical Jargon How the team translates expert insights into clearer, “caveman-style” explanations. 32:24 – 33:48  Why a Government Minister Needs to Join Season Two Mike asks the big questions: Why is ministerial clarity essential, and what should they be pressed on? 33:48 – 36:18  The One Question Homeowners Need Answered Are the government genuinely committed to the retrofit journey — and will they fund it long-term? 36:18 – 37:43  Climate Reality & Ireland’s Environmental Challenges The team looks beyond grants to water quality, climate shifts, and long-term sustainability. 37:43 – 38:22  Season Break Banter Will the lads miss each other? A Starsky & Hutch moment (and Christmas jokes). 38:22 – 39:16  Upcoming One-Stop-Shop Live Event Mike and Fergal announce the next event: Silver Springs Clayton Hotel, Cork — December 4th. 39:16 – 40:03  Homeowners Are Asking Smarter Questions Why the public is more informed than ever — and why the “sticky” questions are the best ones. 40:03 – 41:11  Feedback & Season Two Improvements Pete, Fergal, and Mike chat about balance, structure, and what they’ll tweak in the next season. 41:11 – 42:03  Architects, Criticism at Home & Dream Guests A funny exchange about architects, Mike’s wife, and why Dermot Bannon is a must-have guest. 42:03 – 43:16  The Origin Story How the idea for the podcast was born in a Galway bar — and why none of them expected it to take off like this. 43:16 – 43:50  Final Thoughts & Looking to 2025 Thanking listeners, encouraging questions, and promising an even stronger season ahead. 43:50 – End  Closing Moments Laughs, bloopers, and the official sign-off.

Behind The Walls | #9 with Eoin McGann

In this episode, we sit down with Eoin McGann from EMG Energy Consultants to break down everything you need to know about home energy assessments. Whether you're considering a retrofit, thinking about installing a heat pump, or just want to understand where your home stands energy-wise, this is the episode for you. Eoin walks us through the entire process from start to finish, explaining what assessors actually look at when they visit your home, how the roadmap system works, and why getting your assessment done is the essential first step on your retrofit journey. We also discuss the Heat Loss Indicator (HLI), why it matters for heat pump eligibility, and how the industry has evolved over the years. Pete shares his own experience having Eoin assess his 20-year-old home, and we explore why every homeowner in Ireland should seriously consider getting their home energy assessment done while the grants are still available.