A SEC is a group of people who come together to improve how energy is used for the benefit of their community. They look at how we can use energy in a sustainable, holistic way. Energy communities often look at projects in homes, transport, and local business. They also look at community buildings such as schools, community centres, and sports facilities.

Capital Credit Union became a SEC to become a champion of sustainability in the community. Capital Credit Union has undertaken many sustainability projects over the years and becoming a SEC helped develop a long-term strategy.

There are three steps – Learn, Plan and Do – Capital Credit Union is on the ‘Do’ stage now.

The ‘Learn’ stage is about understanding your community and Capital Credit Union did this through a major member survey with over 2,500 responses.

The ‘Plan’ stage is about a comprehensive energy analysis of the community through an Energy Master Plan and Capital Credit Union received funding from SEAI to do this.

The ‘Do’ stage is where we are at now, it is all about educating our members on energy and supporting members who want to complete retrofits.

The ‘Better Energy Use Workshops’ are all about education and information. Here members will learn how to reduce energy consumption, understand their energy bills and much more!

The ‘Energy Upgrades Workshops’ are for members interested in getting works done to improve their homes whether it is new windows, insulation, or even solar panels!

We suggest that everyone attends the ‘Better Energy Use Workshops’ to learn as much as they can about their energy use.

However, if you’re really interested in getting works done and have an idea of what you want to do, you should complete our short ‘Expression of Interest Form’. This information will be passed onto our partners Energy Team who are experts in retrofitting.

They will follow up with all members to discuss the works they’d like to achieve and what grants they can apply for.

All grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)

There are a range of grants available. For a full list of the grants, click https://capitalcu.ie/seai-grants//

To help our members understand the Energy Upgrade process, we have prepared an infographic with Energy Team that highlights the different steps. To read this, click https://capitalcu.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Energy-Upgrade-Journey.pdf

Usually eight months from application to completion of works, but this can depend on the complexity of the works. We only use qualified SEAI approved installers.

The assessment is a full technical assessment which includes a Better Energy Rating (BER) and Heat Loss Indicator of your home and costs €700 which has to be paid before the assessment.

If you decide to include your home in this Communities programme, then SEAI will reimburse you €350 of this fee – this depends on your home being suitable for upgrade under the SEAI BEC criteria.

When the technical assessment is completed on your home, it sets out the best solutions for your home to get from its present state to B2 Better Energy Rating (BER) standard. This is a best practice approach and recommended by SEAI.

The best solutions for your home that will be identified in the Technical Assessment will allow us to prepare a quote for you to consider.

In this quote the grant amount will be included, so you will only have to pay the net amount after the grant is applied – so the grant will be applied before the works.

No. Windows and doors are only supported by SEAI as part of an overall energy upgrade to your home.

Yes. PV Panels (electric) are available as an individual measure.

A home upgrade is dependent on the Technical Assessment to provide accurate information which will be used to provide a quote of overall cost.

No. You will not have to vacate your home. The works are carried out with minimal disruption to day-to-day activities in the home

No. The works are carried out with minimal disruption to the structure of the home.

No. Online payments are the accepted methods of payment.

Capital Credit Union provides discounted Green Loans to our members. All our loans come with flexible repayment terms and an early repayment option.

To see what your repayments look like, click https://capitalcu.ie/loan/green-loans/.

We offer a wide range of loans at very competitive interest rates for all our Member’s needs. Members can borrow for a car, home improvements, wedding, holidays (when we are allowed again) and many more! Personal loans are available up to €100,000 and are generally approved within 24 to 48 hours.

Also, Capital Credit Union Members get free Loan Protection Insurance (Subject T&C’s) with their loans for peace of mind. We also provide flexible repayment options and terms.

For more information or to apply, please visit our website: https://capitalcu.ie/loans/

If a Member has a dormant account, they can re-activate it in just a couple of minutes online. Visit: https://capitalcu.ie/members/ and you will be able to fill in our online form and upload your Proof of ID and Proof of Address. If you have any questions, call our dedicated Member Service Team – (01) 299 0400 or email info@capitalcu.ie.

If you are not a member of Capital Credit Union, it’s really easy to do so online or in any of our branches. All you need to qualify to open an account with Capital Credit Union is to live, work or study in our catchment area which includes most parts of Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18 and North Wicklow. If you are unsure if you qualify, please call us – (01) 299 0400. You can open your account online via our website here: https://capitalcu.ie/how-to-join/ or in branch, but you will need the following:

• Proof of ID
• Proof of Address (dated within the past 6 months)
• €10 minimum share balance

One of the best parts of a Capital Credit Union account is that there are no fees! As a financial co-operative, we are focused on putting our Members needs first.
There are no account or transaction fees as to tie in with the ethos of community spirit and Member loyalty

If you want to switch your loan to Capital Credit Union, it is extremely easy.

If you are currently a Member you just need to apply for the loan with us. Once approved we will transfer the funds to your bank to clear the loan or can transfer directly to the creditors concerned, once we have the BIC and IBAN for them.

If you are not a Member (and eligible to join) you just need to complete the membership form and apply for the loan at the same time.

We currently offer a reduced rate Switcher Loan that is a 6.9% interest rate. This loan can be used to clear existing facilities including loans, credit cards, overdrafts, car finance etc. and wrap them up in to one repayment, making things easier for you!

With Capital Credit Union’s online banking, you get 24/7 access to your account, so your money is never far away!

As part of our online banking, you can:

• Apply for a loan
• Drawdown a loan
• Make a payment or transfer
• Upload documentation
• Get your statements

And the best part is that it’s easy to register. To find out how to do so, visit our website and register today: https://capitalcu.ie/how-to-join/

We provide a range of ancillary services for our Members to ensure we are your financial provider of choice.

These services, all the links are hyperlinks, include:

• A range of insurance products
• Death Benefit Insurance Programme worth €3,250
• Monthly Prize Draw
• Foreign Exchange
• Free Will-Making Service

Contact us today by emailing info@capitalcu.ie or by calling 01 299 0400 if you would like to learn anymore about our services.

Capital Credit Union have several branches across South Dublin

More information on our branches, their locations and opening hours can be found here: https://capitalcu.ie/contact-us/

Capital Credit Union are extremely committed to the community and here to stay. For instance, the interest that Members pay on their loans is re-invested back into the local community. In an age where the banks are closing branches and reducing staff numbers we have maintained and increased our presence in the community for our Members. That’s what makes us more than a bank.

Also, every year we donate at least €50,000 to worthwhile causes, organisations, sports teams and schools in our community. A Community Council made up of local volunteers decide on all our sponsorship requests and how money is allocated 4 times a year.

Along with this, we support our young people through various schemes including our:

• School Saving Scheme
• Going Green Grant
• Higher Education Scholarship

More information on all these can be found on our website at: https://capitalcu.ie/service/youth-services/ Be sure to follow our social media for frequent updates

Yes, we do provide both mortgages and SME Loans for our members.

We provide mortgages up to €300,000, Members can apply online here: https://capitalcu.ie/loan/home-improvement-loan/ or call 01 299 0400 and a Member of our Loans Team would be delighted to speak to you at any time to see how we can help.

For SME Loans, we operate under a brand called BizFin which can be found here: https://bizfin.ie/capitalcu/ SME loans are available up to €300,000 and you will find our interest rates are very competitive. We offer a transparent, efficient and fast process for Members who we are committed to helping.

There are 2 key points to this.

The first is that we do offer a current account facility which is free of fees and charges. It operates in exactly the same way any current account does but just doesn’t have a debit card facility. Any direct debits can by routed through this and wages can be paid into your account with us as well. This means Members can use their account with us for their wages, savings and loans. Our online facility also allows Members to transfer to external accounts at any time.

The second point is that surveys among our Members had shown us that there was not sufficient appetite for a debit card facility. The cost of introducing a debit card is expensive for any Credit Union so any decision would need to be supported by strong Member engagement.

However, we are always monitoring the situation for our Members and given the circumstances currently with other institutions we intend to review again in the near future.

A Zurich Financial Planner will explore your needs and will develop a financial plan tailored for you.

No. Face to face contact is not necessary in Zurich’s advice process, and this is of particular benefit and reassurance given the current challenges we all face from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zurich will arrange all financial products for you over the phone, via email or through a video call. Information can also be issued to you and returned to a Financial Planner via post.

Zurich will need to gather some personal and financial information from you in order to assess your circumstances. Zurich are required to do this under the consumer protection code but more importantly, it allows them to highlight the best solution from their range of products.

Typically the information gathering, needs assessment and our recommendations of any products will require 2 – 3 interactions between you and Zurich’s Financial Planner.

No. As long as you retain some savings within the credit union, you will continue to be a valued member and enjoy all of the membership benefits which we provide.

If you purchase a Zurich product through this collaboration you will become a Zurich Life customer and your dedicated Financial Planner will continue to be available to you after the initial advice process. You will also have access to Zurich's online customer centre, which allows you view your personal dashboard 24/7.