How to secure an energy upgrade grant for your home

Your guide to home energy grants in Ireland

Updated March 2024

Table of contents

• Insulation grants
• Solar electricity grant
• Solar water heating grant 
• Heat pumps systems grant
• Electric vehicle home charger grant
• Heating controls grant
• How to apply

Ireland’s principal home energy funding body, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), offers various grants to homeowners and businesses to upgrade their premises with energy-efficient solutions. These grants are not just for homeowners and businesses but also for communities and large industries.

The SEAI home grants are also known as the Better Energy Homes scheme, offering subsidised funding to homeowners who invest in energy-efficient solutions. Actively reducing energy consumption levels can also help the beneficiaries improve their respective energy performance and address the market failures in energy consumption and production. 

This guide will help you understand all the types of grants and how to apply for them.

Insulation grants

A home may lose between 20 and 30 per cent of its heat via walls or more when it is not properly insulated. SEAI insulation grants help homes to be more energy-efficient as well as comfortable. 

Current SEAI insulation grant values

Attic insulation

Cavity wall insulation

Wall insulation (internal dry lining)

External wall insulation (the wrap)

 *All rates are accurate as of March 2024

Solar electricity grant

Solar energy is a truly renewable energy source which does not deplete on usage. This means that solar energy can be harnessed in all the areas of the globe, unlike some other sources such as fossil fuels.

Solar energy will substantially reduce your electricity bills. Meeting your energy needs by your own installed solar energy system will significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home and deliver a significantly improved BER Rating. The amount saved by the system depends on the size of the inverter, the number of panels fitted on your roof or ground mounted system and whether battery storage is included or not.

From your solar system, there is also a likelihood of receiving payments for the surplus energy generated. For more information, read our microgeneration information page.

Solar water heating grant   

It is easy and cheap to heat your water using solar water heating grants. Solar thermal systems are usually designed to meet about 50 to 60 percent of your overall annual hot water requirements. This saves you money by immensely cutting down your electric and heating bills.

Your home also becomes energy efficient and comfortable with well-regulated water temperatures. Heating your water by solar thermal reduces your energy consumption all year round.  

Solar water heating grant

Who can apply for the solar water heating grant?

This grant is open for application to homeowners and landlords whose homes were built and occupied before 2021.

Heat pump systems grant

A heat pump is a device that measures and controls your home’s climate by distributing the heat that is already available in the air. In the summer, the pump extracts the heat inside your home and moves it outside. In the winter, it extracts the heat from the outside environment and transfers it inside your home to provide warm comfort. A heat pump is a smart and clean way to heat, cool, purify, and dehumidify your home.

Heat pumps are a green, efficient alternative to relying on fossil fuels for our heating systems, offering tangible benefits in the form of lower costs and reduced carbon emissions. Heat pumps offer more comfort to your insulated home. They lead to lower energy bills due to their efficient functionality.

Heat pump systems grant values

A grant of €200 is also available for a technical assessment, which is required before you apply for a heat pump grant.

For more information about heat pumps, check out our heat pump guide.

Electric vehicle home charger grant

To aid the transition to a greener future, the Irish government is offering grants to make owning an electric vehicle (EV) more accessible. The government-funded program helps offset the upfront cost of installing a home charging unit, making the switch to an EV a more attractive and cost-effective option.

Am I Eligible?

The Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant is open to a broad range of applicants. As long as you are a resident homeowner in Ireland, you can apply for the grant regardless of whether you currently own an EV. This forward-thinking approach encourages the early adoption of electric vehicles and helps build a more sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Heating controls grant

Upgrading your heating controls and integrating into a smart home infrastructure allows your home's occupants to enjoy the benefits of a warmer and more energy-efficient dwelling. 

There are different benefits of upgrading your heating controls, such as reduced energy usage; consequently, which helps you save money. Heating controls help you to heat your home only when you need to. Upgraded controls give you a seven-day timer that helps you to plan your energy usage.

Upgraded heating controls are usually zoned for more efficiency. You’ll be able to heat your water without having to turn on your home heating. It’s also possible to split upstairs and downstairs into two distinct heating zones for further extended efficiency and to get the most from the available funding support.

Heating control grant value

Who can apply for the heating controls grant?

The heating controls grant is open for application to all homeowners as well as landlords whose homes were built and occupied before 2011. Your property won't be eligible for this grant if you're applying for, or previously claimed, a heat pump grant as a heat pump system incorporates heating controls as part of the grant works.

How to apply for home energy grants

You can apply for an energy grant either online or by post. The steps below will guide you on how to apply for SEAI grants or you can take a look at the Home Energy Upgrades website.