Imagine transforming a decades-old family bungalow into a cozy, energy-efficient haven—all while keeping costs down by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. That’s exactly what Adam O’Brien, a software engineer from Ballincollig, Cork, is doing in the latest episode of RTÉ’s Heat My Home. But here’s where it gets controversial: can you really make an old house energy-efficient without tearing it down? Adam thinks so, and he’s on a mission to prove it.
Airing Tuesday night at 8:30 pm on RTÉ One, this episode dives into the challenges of renovating older homes, which often struggle with poor insulation and sky-high energy bills. Many of these homes have a BER (Building Energy Rating) of F or G, making them costly to heat during colder months. And this is the part most people miss: upgrading a home’s energy efficiency doesn’t always require a massive budget—especially if you’re willing to tackle some of the work yourself.
Adam’s 1950s bungalow on Commons Road currently sits at a BER rating of F, but he’s aiming for a B2. If successful, the renovation could save him over €2,000 annually in heating costs, essentially paying for itself in the long run. His approach? Upgrading insulation, installing new windows, and fitting an air-to-water heat pump—all while doing much of the work himself to cut costs.
Joining Adam is Kieran McCarthy, a civil engineer turned building and design expert with over two decades of experience. Kieran, whose first project was refurbishing his late grandmother’s Cork home, breaks down the technicalities of renovations—from heat pumps to HVAC systems—in a way that’s easy for beginners to understand. Throughout the series, he highlights what’s possible, outlines costs, and debunks the myth that retrofitting is too complex or expensive.
But here’s the bold question: Is DIY renovation the future of affordable, sustainable housing? Kieran believes it’s about making smart choices that align with your budget and home’s needs. “These aren’t just houses,” he says, “they’re part of our families and communities. Retrofitting keeps their stories alive while future-proofing them for generations to come.”
Produced by Cork-based Cameo Productions, Heat My Home aims to educate homeowners on the ins and outs of energy upgrades. Adam’s journey is a testament to the power of hands-on work and thoughtful planning. “This house has been in my family for 60 years,” he shares. “Giving it a new lease of life means everything to me.”
So, what do you think? Is DIY renovation the key to affordable energy efficiency, or is it too much work for the average homeowner? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
