What’s New in 2026
The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, announced on 27 January by Minister Darragh O’Brien, introduced the biggest changes to Ireland’s grant system in years.
The Three Grant Routes
SEAI administers three main grant schemes. Understanding which route suits you is the first decision to make.
1. Individual Energy Upgrade Grants (Better Energy Homes)
The most popular route. You choose specific upgrades, apply for the grant, hire an SEAI-registered contractor, and manage the project yourself. The grant is paid directly to you after the work is completed.
Best for: Homeowners who want to do upgrades one at a time, at their own pace. Eligibility: Home built before 2011 (insulation/controls) or before 2021 (heat pumps, solar, renewables). Must use an SEAI-registered contractor.
2. National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shop)
A registered One Stop Shop company manages the entire retrofit — from survey through to completion. They apply for grants on your behalf and deduct them upfront. The target is a BER of B2 or better.
Best for: Homeowners wanting a comprehensive retrofit without managing it themselves. Eligibility: Home built before 2011, BER B3 or lower (this requirement is being removed for heat pump installations from 2026).
3. Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme
Provides fully funded home energy upgrades at no cost. Available to people receiving certain social welfare payments in homes built before 2006.
Individual Grant Amounts by Upgrade Type
All figures below are the current maximum grant amounts under the Better Energy Homes scheme, effective March 2026.
Attic Insulation
| Home Type | Standard | First-Time Buyer | Welfare Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached house | €2,000 | €2,500 | €2,500 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €1,300 | €2,500 | €2,500 |
| Mid-terrace | €1,200 | €2,500 | €2,500 |
| Apartment | €800 | €2,500 | €2,500 |
Attic insulation is typically the most cost-effective single upgrade. A house loses 20–30% of its heat through the roof. SEAI estimates these grants now cover approximately 80% of the average cost.
Cavity Wall Insulation
| Home Type | Standard | Welfare Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Detached house | €1,800 | €2,300 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €1,200 | €2,300 |
| Mid-terrace | €800 | €2,300 |
| Apartment | €700 | €2,300 |
External Wall Insulation
| Home Type | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Detached house | €8,000 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €6,000 |
| Mid-terrace or Apartment | €3,000 |
Internal Wall Insulation (Dry Lining)
| Home Type | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Detached house | €4,500 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €3,500 |
| Mid-terrace | €2,000 |
| Apartment | €1,500 |
Windows and Doors
Windows grant
| Home Type | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Detached house | €4,000 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €3,000 |
| Mid-terrace | €1,800 |
| Apartment | €1,500 |
Doors grant: €800 per external door, maximum 2 doors (€1,600 total). A detached home replacing all windows and two doors could receive up to €5,600 in combined support.
Heat Pump System
| Home Type | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| House (all types) | €12,500 |
| Apartment | €9,500 |
This fixed grant includes the heat pump unit (€6,500), radiator and pipework upgrades (€2,000), and a new Renewable Heat Bonus (€4,000). It’s the single largest grant for any home energy measure in Ireland. Home must be built before 2021. A Technical Assessment (€200 grant available) may be required for pre-2007 homes.
Solar PV Panels
The grant is calculated pro-rata based on system size: €700 per kWp for the first 2 kWp, then €200 per kWp for the next 2 kWp. Maximum: €1,800 for a 4 kWp+ system. Combined with 0% VAT, a typical system costs €4,000–€6,000 after grants. Payback: 4–7 years. Home must be built before 2021. Read our full solar guide →
Other Grants
Solar water heating (thermal): €1,200 fixed. Heating controls: €700 fixed (zoned heating, TRVs, smart thermostat). EV home charger: €300 (must own a registered EV). Post-works BER assessment: €50 standard, €280 for welfare recipients.
Estimated Total Grants by Home Type
To put these figures in context, here is an estimate of the total grants a homeowner could receive if they did a comprehensive upgrade including attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, a heat pump, solar PV, and windows and doors.
| Home Type | Combined Grants |
|---|---|
| Detached house | €23,700 |
| Semi-detached / End-terrace | €21,400 |
| Mid-terrace | €19,700 |
| Apartment | €15,900 |
These totals include attic, cavity wall, heat pump, solar PV, and windows and doors grants at the standard rates. Your actual total depends on which upgrades suit your home. Use our grant calculator to get a personalised breakdown based on your specific dwelling type and circumstances.
Upgrade Order: What to Do First
SEAI and most energy advisors recommend a specific sequence for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Start with insulation (attic first, then walls) to reduce your home’s heat demand. Then upgrade your heating system — a heat pump will work more efficiently in a well-insulated home, and you can install a smaller, less expensive unit. Finally, add solar PV to generate your own electricity and reduce the running costs of the heat pump. This phased approach is exactly what the individual grants are designed for — you can do one step at a time as budget allows, claiming separate grants at each stage.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Get a BER Assessment
A registered assessor evaluates your home (€150–€300) and produces an Advisory Report recommending the most impactful upgrades. Read our BER guide →
Decide on Upgrades
Use your BER Advisory Report and our grant calculator to plan which upgrades to prioritise. Recommended order: insulation first, then heating system, then renewables.
Get Quotes from SEAI-Registered Contractors
Get at least 2–3 quotes. You must use a contractor registered with SEAI for the specific work type. Check registration on the SEAI website.
Apply for the Grant
Apply online at seai.ie. Approval is usually immediate. You’ll receive a letter of offer in the post.
Accept and Wait for Written Approval
You have 30 days to accept the offer. Do NOT start any work until you have written approval.
Complete the Work
Schedule with your contractor. You have 8 months (solar PV) or 6 months (other measures) to complete.
Submit Declaration of Works
After completion, submit the Declaration of Works signed by your contractor, invoices, and Request for Payment form.
Get Post-Works BER & Receive Payment
A BER assessment confirms the improvements. SEAI processes payment within 4–6 weeks of receiving all documentation.
Financing Your Upgrade
Even with generous grants, most homeowners will need to fund a portion of their upgrade costs. The good news is that Ireland now has several financing options specifically designed to make energy upgrades affordable.
Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
Government-backed loans from 2.99% APR — significantly below standard personal loan rates. Borrow €5,000 to €75,000. Participating lenders: AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, Avant Money (via An Post), and seven credit unions. The upgrade must be supported by an SEAI grant and projected to achieve at least 20% improvement in energy performance.
To put this in context: if you borrow €15,000 at 2.99% over 10 years, your monthly repayment is approximately €145. If your energy upgrades save you €150-€200 per month in reduced heating and electricity bills, the loan is effectively cost-neutral from day one.
What Does a Typical Upgrade Actually Cost?
Here are realistic cost ranges for common upgrades in Ireland, before and after grants, based on SEAI median cost data and industry estimates for 2026:
| Upgrade | Typical Cost | After Max Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Attic insulation (semi-d) | €1,500–€2,500 | €200–€1,200 |
| Cavity wall insulation (semi-d) | €1,500–€2,500 | €300–€1,300 |
| External wall insulation (semi-d) | €15,000–€25,000 | €9,000–€19,000 |
| Heat pump system | €12,000–€20,000 | €0–€7,500 |
| Solar PV (4kWp) | €5,500–€8,000 | €3,700–€6,200 |
| Windows (semi-d, full house) | €12,000–€20,000 | €9,000–€17,000 |
| Full deep retrofit (semi-d, B2 target) | €40,000–€65,000 | €17,000–€42,000 |
These are broad estimates — actual costs vary significantly by home size, condition, and contractor. Always get 2–3 quotes from SEAI-registered contractors for your specific home. Our grant calculator can help you estimate the grant portion for your dwelling type.
Landlord Tax Relief
Landlords can deduct the lesser of €10,000 or the actual retrofit cost (net of grants) from rental income. From 2026, available for up to 3 properties (was 2). Relief runs 2023–2028. Combined with SEAI grants, this means a landlord upgrading a rental property benefits from both the grant reducing the upfront cost and a tax deduction on the remainder. Read our landlord guide for full details →
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Individual Energy Upgrade Grants are specifically designed for a phased approach. Many homeowners start with insulation, add solar panels later, and plan a heat pump after that. You claim separate grants as you go.
For most individual grants, a pre-works BER is not strictly required (though strongly recommended). A post-works BER is required after completion. For the windows and doors grant, you need to demonstrate your home meets the HLI standard, which typically requires a BER assessment.
Yes. Landlords can apply for all individual energy upgrade grants and also claim up to €10,000 in tax deductions on retrofit costs per property. From 2026, this applies to up to 3 properties.
Homes built between 2011 and 2020 can still apply for heat pump, solar PV, solar thermal, and EV charger grants. Insulation and heating controls grants require your home to be built before 2011.
No. You must have grant approval before any work begins. Starting work before approval permanently disqualifies you from that grant. This is the most common and most costly mistake homeowners make.
From application to payment, expect 3–6 months depending on the upgrade type and contractor availability. SEAI approval is usually immediate, but contractor lead times vary. Solar installations are typically fastest (4–6 weeks from approval to completion).