Crippling heating bills ‘taking the joy out of our forever home’ say Louth residents

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Residents of a Drogheda housing development are facing crippling electricity bills—some reaching between €800 - €900 and as high as €1,100 this winter, due to what they describe as a “flawed and inefficient smart electrical heating system in their duplex apartments.”

Louth councillor Declan Power highlighted the exorbitant bills faced by people living in Tullybrook Court, which is managed by Clúid Housing.

Speaking at the October meeting of Drogheda Borough District, Cllr. Power said that even in the summer months, when usage is typically much lower, people were facing bills as high as €400.

He added that despite repeated complaints to Clúid Housing, the issue has persisted for over twelve months, leaving families and individuals under immense financial strain.

Tullybrook Court resident Ciara Byrne explained how difficult it has become to meet the huge electricity bills: “With the cost of living gone crazy, being expected to pay €800 to €900 and rising for our heating is inhumane and wrong. We’ve been ignored for over a year by Clúid Management with this issue. It’s scary enough being a single mam with three kids — to add such high bills is such a worry. I’m afraid to turn my heating on, especially since I’m still paying last winter’s bills. This whole heating scenario has taken the joy out of having our forever home, which we love, but this ongoing concern is a burden to many of us who live in the duplex apartments.”

Another resident Michelle Gavin said “We have continuously brought this to the attention of our housing officers Clúid with no solutions or discussion to rectify our heating issues. On each occasion of contacting Clúid, I and many others have been repeatedly told that they are not aware of our heating problems and that they will look into it, which they never do. Our bills are extortionate. It's now a matter of urgency that Clúid get a solution before the cold winter months set in.”

Mother of three Children, Jeanine Pentony a resident for over 12 months said “The residents of Tullybrook, have suffered and are still suffering the consequences of last winter's high utility costs as a result of our space heating electric system. This system is not sustainable in heating our three-bedroom duplex. Winter is coming again, and this issue has yet to be resolved by Clúid. As a mother with three children, this situation has me faced with a lot of worry for the coming months with the weight of this financial stress.”

Cllr Declan Power, who represents the Drogheda Rural Electoral Area raised the concern again at the October Borough Council meeting said he has met collectively with residents to listen, learn, and push for solutions to this ongoing problem. “Residents in Tullybrook Court are now facing crippling heating bills this winter unless a resolution is found. I have engaged with Clúid Housing, but they seem to be turning a blind eye to this growing concern. These are brand new developments that should have brand new, sustainable energy systems that heat both water and homes. All apartments have an air-to-water system that heats water but not the living spaces. Instead, residents are left with electric space heaters that must be controlled manually in each room — an inefficient and expensive setup. I can’t see why the air-to-water system couldn’t have been extended to heat the homes as well. The system is flawed, heating bills are sky high, and these residents shouldn’t need to decide between heating and hunger.”

Louth County Council Senior Housing official Declan Grimes said “While we are aware of the situation with the residents, the responsibility is ultimately with Clúid Housing. We however will engage and work with them to find solutions for the tenants.“

Cllr Power added that he will be pressing both Clúid Housing for an independent technical review of the heating system and a “clear and time-bound action plan from Clúid to rectify the issue.”

He called for “financial redress or support for residents already burdened by excessive costs.”

“This situation cannot be allowed to drag on any further,” Cllr Power concluded. “Residents deserve safe, affordable, and efficient heating in their homes. I will continue to represent strongly on their behalf until a fair and lasting solution is delivered.”

The Drogheda Independent contacted Clúid, who responded to residents concerns saying: “Clúid’s vision is a society where everyone has a great place to live. We are aware of a small number of residents of Tullybrook Court, Drogheda, Co. Louth, who have experienced high electricity bills. We are working with these residents to understand what is causing these high bills. We believe these are isolated issues and are investigating whether they are caused by mechanical, installation or user issues. Once we understand the cause of the issue we will take action accordingly.”

This story was amended on October 13 at 12.50pm to include a response from Clúid