SE Systems has been awarded the Residential Energy Upgrades Award at the 2025 SEAI Energy Awards for our work with the Douglas & District Lions House in Cork. The recognition highlights a project that demonstrates what meaningful community-focused retrofitting can achieve when technical expertise, partnership, and purpose come together. 

The Douglas Lions House project, completed in 2024, delivered deep energy upgrades across 18 apartments at Lion House and Lion House Grove. Many of the residents are older people living in homes that were cold, inefficient, and expensive to heat. Through a combination of SEAI Community Energy Grant support and the SE Systems Community Fund, this project significantly improved energy performance, comfort, and long-term affordability for 18 residents. 

Read the full case study here: 
Douglas Lions House Project →  

Why this project stood out

The SEAI Energy Awards celebrate organisations and communities leading Ireland’s clean energy transition. This year’s entrants collectively reduced energy use by 26 percent, saved more than €27 million in energy costs and generated renewable energy equivalent to powering 67,000 homes annually. Against this national backdrop, the Douglas Lions House project was recognised for its impact on vulnerable residents and its innovative use of mixed funding models to make deep retrofit upgrades possible. 

The project addressed long-standing challenges faced by residents, including outdated electrical storage heaters, poor insulation, and rising energy bills. Many of the apartments also had limited space and no water cylinders, which restricted heating options. SE Systems acted as One Stop Shop provider, managing every stage of the project from energy assessment to final handover. 

Quote from Youenn Lowry, Managing Director, SE Systems: 
“This award reflects the heart of what we aim to do every day. When strong technical delivery is paired with genuine community partnership, the impact goes far beyond energy savings. The Douglas Lions House project shows how the right support can transform comfort, affordability, and quality of life for people who need it most. I am incredibly proud of the team and grateful to the residents and partners who worked with us so openly throughout the process.” 

The upgrades delivered 

Apartments at Lion House and Lion House Grove 
• Air to Air heat pumps 
• Attic insulation 
• Cavity wall insulation 
• Window and door replacements 
• 2.61 kWp solar PV per apartment 

These measures transformed energy performance and comfort levels for all 18 residents. 

The results

Apartments 
• BER uplift from E1 to A1 
• 6,183 kWh/m²/year total energy savings across 18 units 

Residents reported warmer homes, improved comfort, and lower running costs. Many described the works as life changing, with minimal disruption throughout the 47 working days on-site. 

Quote from Jason Collins, Technical Director, SE Systems: 
“This project was all about making a real difference for the residents. Many of them were living with high heating costs and homes that were hard to keep warm. Seeing the change after the upgrades and hearing how much more comfortable and affordable their homes are now, is the most rewarding part of the work we do. The Douglas Lions House were fantastic partners throughout and the support from the SEAI Community Energy Grant Programme and our own Community Fund made the project possible. We are proud of what was achieved together.”