Latest Guides & Advice
Practical answers to the questions Irish homeowners actually ask about grants, retrofitting, and BER. Written by people who do this for a living.
Need a BER assessment?
A BER is the starting point for most energy upgrades and grant applications. Homerating.ie has been assessing Irish homes since 2009, with fast turnaround in Dublin and nationwide coverage. Book a BER with Homerating.ie →
Landlords
Landlord Retrofit 2026: Grants + Tax Relief = Almost Free Upgrades
Stack the SEAI grant (up to €12,500 for a heat pump) with the €10,000 tax deduction and the numbers are startling. A €14,000 heat pump for under a grand out of pocket. Here's the full breakdown.
Grants
SEAI Grant Application: How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
Grant approval is nearly instant online. The real wait is contractors and paperwork. Here's an honest timeline for every stage, from first quote to money in your bank, broken down by upgrade type.
Windows
Windows & Doors Grant 2026: Do I Qualify? HLI Explained
The new standalone windows grant is up to €4,000, but your home needs an HLI of 2.3 or lower. Here's what that means in plain English, how to check yours, and what to do if you don't meet it yet.
Retrofit
Best Order to Retrofit Your Home in Ireland
Insulation first, then heat pump, then solar. Get it wrong and you'll overspend on an oversized heat pump in a draughty house. Here's the sequence that works, with real costs and grant amounts.
Grants
Can I Get an SEAI Grant If I've Already Started Work?
No, and it's the most expensive mistake you can make. We see it all the time: work starts, then someone checks the grant rules. Here's exactly what counts as "starting work" and the one narrow exception.
Check what grants your home qualifies for
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