Home Energy Upgrade Guides
Everything you need to know about upgrading your home, real costs, current SEAI grants, and plain-English advice. All verified against official sources and updated for 2026.
BER Certificates
Your starting point. What a BER is, when you need one, how it affects property value, and how to improve your rating.
Start hereSolar Panels
Up to €1,800 SEAI grant. 0% VAT. Costs from €4,000 after grants. Real savings data and how to apply.
Most popular upgradeHeat Pumps
New €12,500 grant for 2026. Types compared (air-to-water vs ground source). Costs, savings, and the application process.
€12,500 grantInsulation & Windows
Attic, cavity, external wall insulation. Plus the new standalone windows & doors grant, up to €5,600.
New windows grant 2026Deep Retrofit
Up to €75,000 in SEAI One Stop Shop grants. Whole-house upgrades. How it works, costs, and 31 registered providers.
Up to €75k grantsEV Chargers
€300 SEAI grant. Costs from €800. Best chargers compared. Solar + EV integration for near-free driving.
€300 grantLandlord Compliance
March 2026 rental law changes. BER now affects rent-setting. 6-year tenancies. RTB Rent Register. Tax relief for upgrades.
New laws March 2026SEAI Grant Calculator
Answer a few questions about your home and see every grant you qualify for, with personalised amounts. Takes 2 minutes.
Interactive toolWarmer Homes Scheme
Free energy upgrades for homeowners on qualifying welfare payments. Full eligibility guide and how to apply.
100% freeHome Energy Loan
Government-backed loans from 2.99% to fund your retrofit. Up to €75,000 unsecured over 10 years.
From 2.99% APRCheck My BER Online
Look up your home’s energy rating for free on the SEAI National Register. Just need your MPRN.
Free & instantWindows & Doors Grant
New standalone grant for 2026. Up to €4,000 for windows, €1,600 for doors. HLI requirement explained.
NEW March 2026Microgeneration & Export Rates
Sell surplus solar electricity back to the grid. Compare feed-in tariff rates by supplier (15c to 24c/kWh).
Export incomeSolar Batteries
Store surplus solar electricity for evening use. Costs from €1,700. Brand comparison and ROI analysis.
Growing fastHeat Pump vs Oil Boiler
Should you switch? 10-year total cost comparison with real numbers. Grants, running costs, and when NOT to switch.
Decision guideHeat Pump Running Costs
What a heat pump actually costs to run. Month-by-month breakdown, tariff tips, and 7 ways to cut electricity bills.
Real dataExternal Wall Insulation
Costs from €8,000. SEAI grants up to €8,000. EPS vs mineral wool vs phenolic. Full cost-per-m² data.
Detailed costsOne Stop Shop Guide
How to choose from 28 registered providers. Process, costs, and One Stop Shop vs managing grants yourself.
Full retrofitGrant Stacking
Combine SEAI grants + energy credits + tax relief + green loans + 0% VAT. Worked example cuts cost by 60%+.
Save moreSmart Meters
Free upgrade, unlocks export payments and time-of-use tariffs. Essential for solar, heat pump, and EV owners.
Free upgradeBest Solar Panels
Trina, JA Solar, Longi, SunPower compared. Efficiency, warranties, and which brands Irish installers use.
Brand guideSolar by County
How solar output varies across Ireland. County-by-county data and why roof orientation matters more than location.
Regional dataVentilation After Retrofit
MVHR vs demand-controlled ventilation. Why it matters after insulating and what it costs.
Often overlookedPeriod Home Retrofit
Pre-1940s and heritage homes. Breathable insulation, protected structures, and specialist contractors.
Heritage homesSecond Wall Insulation Grant
New from March 2026. Add external or internal insulation even if you already had cavity fill.
NEW 2026Airtightness Testing
What it is, when it’s required, and what results to expect. Blower door test explained for homeowners.
Technical guideHome Energy Assessment
First step of a One Stop Shop retrofit. What the assessor checks, how to prepare, and what the report tells you.
Step 1Holiday Home & Landlord Grants
Which SEAI grants apply to rental properties, holiday homes, and OMCs. Eligibility matrix for every grant type.
Eligibility guideDefective Concrete Blocks
How DCB/mica/pyrite-affected homes can access SEAI grants alongside remediation works.
DCB homes