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Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.
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The SEAI heat pump grant in Ireland provides a maximum grant value of €6,500 for the most common and comprehensive heat pump types (such as Air-to-Water and Ground Source) in a typical house, or up to €3,500 for Air-to-Air heat pumps. Administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), this heat pump grant Ireland initiative offers substantial financial support to offset the upfront cost of installing a renewable heating system. This makes it easier than ever to future-proof your home against rising fossil fuel prices.
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How Much Is the SEAI Grant for a Heat Pump?
The grant value you receive depends primarily on the type of heat pump you install and your dwelling type.
The SEAI offers the highest levels of support for the most common and comprehensive systems (Air-to-Water, Ground Source, etc.) which replace your entire heating and domestic hot water provision.
The Technical Assessment Grant helps cover the mandatory cost of having an SEAI-registered assessor determine your home's suitability for a heat pump before you start the project.
Does Your Home Qualify for the Heat Pump Grant?
The SEAI has clear criteria to ensure that grant funding is invested in properties that can maximise the efficiency of a heat pump.
1. Home Eligibility
Age of Property: Your home must have been built and occupied before 2021.
Existing System: You must be replacing an older, less efficient fossil fuel heating system (like oil, gas, or solid fuel) or an old electric storage system.
Insulation Standard (Pre-2007 Homes): For homes built before 2007, you must ensure your home meets a minimum heat-loss indicator (HLI) of 2.3 W/(K.m²). This is a critical requirement determined by the Technical Assessment. If your home does not meet this, you must complete insulation upgrades (like wall or attic insulation) before or during the heat pump installation to qualify for the SEAI heat pump grant.
Post-Installation BER: While not a pre-condition, the work must lead to a minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better to process the grant claim successfully.
2. Applicant and Installer Requirements
You must be the homeowner or have written permission from the owner.
All installation work, including the pre-works Technical Assessment, must be carried out by SEAI-registered contractors and assessors. This guarantees the quality and compliance of the entire project.
What Is the SEAI Heat Pump Technical Assessment?
Before you apply for the heat pump grant, the most important action you need to take is the Technical Assessment.
For homes built before 2007, this assessment is mandatory and is conducted by an independent, SEAI-registered Technical Advisor.
They will:
Survey Your Home: Calculate the current heat loss (HLI) of your property.
Recommend Upgrades: Identify necessary insulation and ventilation works required to bring the home up to the SEAI's B2 BER standard, ensuring the heat pump will operate efficiently.
Specify the Heat Pump: Recommend the correct size and type of heat pump for your specific home's needs.
Failing to meet the necessary fabric upgrades identified in this assessment will mean you are ineligible to receive the heat pump grant in Ireland.
How Do I Apply for an SEAI Heat Pump Grant?
The SEAI has streamlined the process, allowing homeowners to manage the application themselves (Individual Energy Upgrade Grants) or have it fully managed by a professional (One Stop Shop service).
Individual Energy Upgrade Grant Process:
Initial Assessment: Engage an SEAI-registered Technical Advisor to carry out the mandatory technical assessment (if your home was built before 2007).
Choose Your Contractor: Select an SEAI-registered heat pump installer and get a formal quote for the recommended works.
Apply for the Grant: Apply directly to the SEAI online. Crucially, you must receive grant approval before any work starts. Starting work early will disqualify you from the SEAI grant.
Complete the Works: The contractor installs the heat pump and carries out any necessary associated upgrades (e.g., radiator replacements).
Post-Works BER: A registered BER assessor performs a final assessment to confirm the home has reached the required B2 rating.
Claim Payment: Submit all completion documents—including the contractor's Declaration of Works and the final BER certificate—to the SEAI. The heat pump grant is then paid directly into your bank account.
The One Stop Shop Approach:
A single SEAI-registered company manages the entire process: assessment, grant application, design, installation, and final BER.
The value of the heat pump grant and other eligible grants is deducted upfront from your total bill, meaning you only pay the net cost.
Long-Term Value of the Heat Pump Grant
While the initial installation cost can be significant, the SEAI heat pump grant ensures the investment is more manageable, allowing you to quickly realise the substantial long-term savings.
Lower Running Costs: Heat pumps typically operate at 300% to 400% efficiency (a Coefficient of Performance, or COP, of 3-4), delivering significantly more heat per unit of electricity than a traditional fossil fuel boiler.
Future-Proofing: Switching to a heat pump reduces your reliance on imported fossil fuels and hedges your home against future increases in carbon taxes and fluctuating oil and gas prices.
Increased Property Value: Achieving a B2 BER or better thanks to the SEAI grant makes your home more attractive and valuable in the Irish property market.
By taking advantage of the SEAI heat pump grant, you are not just replacing a boiler; you are investing in a sustainable, comfortable, and cheaper-to-run future for your home in Ireland.
Heat Pump Grants Ireland FAQs
Do I Have to Achieve a B2 BER Rating to Receive the SEAI Heat Pump Grant?
Yes, achieving a minimum Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 upon completion of the works is a mandatory condition for receiving the SEAI heat pump grant.
If your home was built before 2007, the Technical Assessment will identify all necessary fabric upgrades (like insulation) that must be completed alongside the heat pump installation to reach this B2 standard.
Without a post-works BER certificate confirming the B2 rating, the grant cannot be paid out.
What is the Single Most Common Reason for a Grant Application Being Rejected?
The most common reason for outright rejection is starting the works before you have received formal grant approval from the SEAI.
For the Individual Energy Upgrade Grant process, grant approval must be in place and accepted by the homeowner before any materials are purchased or installation work begins.
Doing any grant-related work prematurely will immediately disqualify that specific measure from receiving the SEAI grant.
How Long Do I Have to Complete the Heat Pump Installation after Grant Approval?
Once the SEAI issues your grant offer , andyou accept it, you typically have eight months to complete the entire heat pump installation and submit all necessary documentation for payment.
This includes the completion of any mandatory insulation or fabric upgrades identified in the Technical Assessment, the final installation by the registered contractor, and the post-works BER assessment.
Learn More About Energy SavingOur energy guide articles contain lots of useful information on saving energy, lowering costs and how to have a more positive impact on the environment.
Cormac is Selectra.ie's energy expert along with being the chief content and editorial manager for the website. His aim is to help find the best deal for you and your home energy needs so that you save money on your annual bills. His knowledge and experience of the Irish energy market allows him to offer the best advice and insight into current prices, emerging trends and overall energy saving tips.
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