Homeowners to benefit from new and enhanced home upgrade grants
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien announced a package of new grants for homeowners across Ireland on January 27.
These grants, facilitated by SEAI, are an expansion of previous grants that included assistance with the installation of new windows and doors.
Overall, this package is aimed at creating warmer, energy-efficient and generally more comfortable homes across Ireland.
From February 3, there will be an uplift to existing grants for Cavity wall Insulation and Attic Insulation.
These higher grants are aimed at recognising the increasing costs since 2022, when other energy affordability measures were brought in. The level of grant has been increased for wall insulation and attic insulation, which will bring costs down for homeowners overall.
Along with this, there will be further access to Heat Pump System Grants, which will ease the burden of heat pumps costs.
These will be helpful for homeowners who need to foot the upfront costs of heat pumps, along with the potential of replacing their entire heating system.
The amounts will incorporate €6,500 for the heat pump, €2,000 for radiator upgrades and a further heating bonus of €4,000.
From March 2, Windows and Doors grants will be available for installing energy-efficient windows and doors.
Attic Insulation for First-Time Buyers will enable these homeowners to carry out these often expensive upgrades. According to SEAI, “in many cases the grant amount will cover most or even all the total cost.”
For homeowners who have already availed of similar grants from SEAI, they previously would have been excluded from receiving a grant for a second wall measure, but from March 2, they can apply.
Along with these measures, there will be further grants for homeowners on certain Social Welfare Payments. This is to make sure the grants are available for those who are at an increased risk of energy poverty.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, commented:
“In the Programme for Government, we committed to taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability.
“The measures that I am announcing today will make more homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy costs for households. By promoting retrofitting, renewable heating, and solar energy, we will make homes warmer and cheaper to heat.
“Last year, we helped more than 58,000 homeowners to benefit from energy upgrades under SEAI schemes. We will build on that this year, widening the net to upgrade even more homes in 2026 and making home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible to all.”
William Walsh, chief executive of SEAI, said:
“Today’s announcement is a huge boost. Last year was a record year for SEAI, but now, with these new measures, we will go even further, bringing lower energy bills and more comfortable, healthier living to thousands more across the country. We’ve built up the industry, we have the expertise, and now we have the momentum. There really has never been a better time to retrofit your home, and at SEAI, we are here to help you every step of the way.”
These grants may ease the financial burden of upgrading people’s homes, as the costs associated with any form of upgrade continue to rise.
For those looking for further information on these grants, visit seai.ie.