Residential
Energy Upgrade Journey
Our step by step guide will help you better understand your energy use and support you to make the small changes before taking on energy upgrades to your home.
Advice for Renters
If you’re a renter in Ireland and you’re interested in approaching your landlord about making energy upgrades to the property, here are some steps and tips you can follow.
Residential Grant List
There are a range of energy upgrade grants available to you depending on your home and circumstances. From free home upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme, individual grants for step by step upgrades, to full deep retrofits with the SEAI One Stop Shop and Community Energy Grant Programme, there is a grant for you. Click on the arrow to learn more about each grant.
Housing Aid for Older People Grant
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is aimed at people aged 66 and older, who are living in poor housing conditions. However, in cases of genuine hardship the local authority may help people under the age of 66. Support includes:
- Repairs and modifications: The grant covers the cost of essential repairs such as; Repairing or replacing the roof, Upgrading the electrical wiring, Repairing or replacing the windows and doors and Providing central heating
- Qualifying for the grant: Eligibility is based on household income, with gross annual income assessed for all adults over 23 living in the home, as well as the registered property owner and their spouse. Certain income, such as Carer’s Allowance or Child Benefit, is not considered when calculating household income, and the grant provides exemptions for households with children or relatives providing full-time care.
- Funding: The grant provides up to €8,000 or 95% of the cost of the work approved by your local authority.
- What do I need to apply: Complete the application form and provide certain evidence and supporting documents. You must provide evidence: Of your gross household income for the previous tax year, That the Local Property Tax (LPT) for your home is in order, That your tax affairs are up-to-date
- How do I apply: You can download the application form here or from your local authority’s website. You can also get the form from your local authority. This application form is used to apply for 3 different grants which are available to older people and people with disabilities to adapt their homes.
SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Warmer Homes Scheme provides free energy-efficient home upgrades for homeowners that receive certain welfare payments.
This SEAI scheme offers upgrades for the following:
- Attic insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- External wall insulation
- Internal wall insulation
- Replacement windows
- Heating upgrade
- Heating controls
- Ventilation
- Draught proofing
- Lagging jacket*
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
To qualify for an SEAI grant via the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, you need to own and occupy a home that was built before 2006 and that has not previously received an upgrade under this SEAI scheme.
You must also receive one of the following allowances:
- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme.
- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years old.
- Working Family Payment
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carers Allowance and live with the person you care for
Homes that have previously received improvements under the scheme are eligible.
SEAI Individual Energy Upgrade Grants
Available to all homeowners and landlords throughout SEAI without means testing where homeowners manage their upgrade works and grant application themselves.
Suitable for homeowners and landlords who want:
- Individual energy upgrades
- Manage their own project
- To apply for the grant themselves
- To pay for full cost of works and claim grant afterwards
The home must be built and occupied before: 2011 for insulation and heating controls, and 2021 for heat pumps and renewable systems.
This SEAI scheme offers upgrades for the following:
- Heat Pump – Air to Water
- Heat Pump – Air to Air
- Heating Controls
- Rafter Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Internal Dry Lining Insulation
- Solar Hot Water
- Solar PV
SEAI One Stop Shop Grants
One Stop Shops offer homeowners all the services required for a complete home energy upgrade. These registered private operators will manage the entire process for you, from the initial assessment of your home, through to the final BER.
- Fully managed solution
- Wider range of grants
- Grant values deducted from the cost of works upfront
- Less disruption
One Stop Shop Services Include
- Home energy assessment: A technical surveyor will advise on the best upgrades to bring your home to a B2 energy rating or higher.
- Grant application: They will apply and accept all SEAI grants for your project and deduct the values upfront from the cost of your works.
- Project management: They will manage all the works at your home and ensure quality checks are carried out.
- Contractor works: They will assign a contractor to carry out the works on your home.
- Follow up BER: A registered BER Assessor will complete your post-works BER assessment and publish the certificate.
- Finance options: Some One Stop Shops can offer you finance options through their finance partners.
The One Stop Shop service is available to homeowners and private landlords whose property or home meets these criteria:
- Was built and occupied before 2011 for renewable systems grants
- Has an existing BER of B3 or lower and must achieve a minimum rating of B2 on work completion, with a 100kWh/m2/year or better improvement on the BER primary energy value
- Has not previously received grants for the same home energy upgrades
Please note that SEAI’s One Stop Shop grants are only available through the list of registered One Stop Shop Providers available here.
This SEAI scheme offers upgrades for the following:
- Heat Pump – Air to Water
- Heat Pump – Air to Air
- Central Heating System for Heat Pump
- Heating Controls
- Attic Insulation
- Rafter Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Internal Dry Lining Insulation
- Windows
- External Doors
- Floor Insulation
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Air Tightness
- Solar Hot Water
- Solar PV
SEAI Community Energy Grant (Residential)
The Community Grant programme supports new approaches to achieving energy efficiency in Irish communities. Each year SEAI supports multiple community projects, including residential properties across Ireland, managed by registered SEAI Project Coordinators. View the full list of registered Coordinators here.
The Community Energy Grant Programme (Residential) is suitable for:
- Homeowners who want complete upgrade works with a contractor of choice who is not SEAI registered
- Approved Housing Bodies and Housing Associations
- Individuals who are fuel poor
- Change of use properties (Commercial to residential)
This SEAI scheme offers upgrades for the following:
- Heat Pump – Air to Water
- Heat Pump – Air to Air
- Central Heating System for Heat Pump
- Heating Controls
- Attic Insulation
- Rafter Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Internal Dry Lining Insulation
- Windows
- External Doors
- Floor Insulation
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Air Tightness
- Solar Hot Water
- Solar PV
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is a payment you can get if you are turning a vacant house or building into your permanent home or a rental property.
A grant of up to €50,000 is available.
If the refurbishment costs exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available.
How to qualify
To qualify for the grant, you must:
- have proof of ownership or evidence of active negotiations to buy the property (that is, confirmation of engagement from the estate agent or owner of the property) where you are seeking approval in principle for a grant
- live in the property as your principal private residence or make it available for rent
- have proof that the property has been vacant for at least 2 years and that it was built up to and including 2007
How to Apply
Local authorities administer the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Local authorities will prioritise applications in areas where the level of vacancy or dereliction is high.
You can also contact your local authority and request to speak to the Vacant Homes Officer. They will be able to assist you with any queries you may have.
Solar Electricity Grant
This grant will help you install Solar Photovoltaic panels in your home to generate renewable electricity. Learn about the grant values and how to apply.
Who is eligible
- All homeowners, including private landlords
- Home built and occupied before 31st December 2020
- No previous funding for Solar PV at this MPRN
Before you apply
- Read the Solar PV Scheme Application Guide
- Read the Solar PV Terms and Conditions
- Speak with a registered Company
- Arrange a BER assessor
- See if your home is ready for renewables, what you can expect to pay and estimate your payback
- Solar panels that produce electricity are known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. You can find out more about what they are and how we generate electricity from solar PV here
Grant value for solar electricity
| Value | Example |
| €800 per kWp up to 2kWp | €1600 for 2kWp solar panels |
| €250 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp Total Solar PV grant capped at €2100 | €1850 for 3kWp solar panels €2100 for 4kWp solar panels |
* the grant is paid on a pro rata basis e.g. for a 2.5kWp system the grant value would be €1,725
How to apply
1. Find and appoint a registered SEAI solar PV company
2. Apply to SEAI for grant offer
3. Installer applies to ESB Networks
4. Install solar PV panels
5. Arrange a post works BER
6. Company submits evidence of works to SEAI
7. SEAI process the claim
Home Energy Retrofit FAQ’s
We have complied the most frequent questions homeowners ask from getting started, planning your work, to financing energy upgrades.