SEAI Grants: What's Available in 2024?

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SEAI logo, a home, wrench and coins

The SEAI grants are payments that are made to help you out with the costs of solar panels, insulation and more. If you want to make any improvements to your energy efficiency at home, or you just want to invest in renewable energy for your home, you might need an SEAI grant. Read our full SEAI grants guide to find out more!

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What SEAI Grants Are Available in 2024?

For 2023, the SEAI has divided its grants into three main categories, depending on your situation and what you might need:

We look at who is eligible and which home improvements are covered under each of these programmes below.

What Is the Fully Funded Energy Upgrade?

Formerly known as the 'Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme', this SEAI grant provides free energy-efficient home upgrades for homeowners that receive certain welfare payments and other vulnerable citizens.

You will receive a free assessment from an SEAI surveyor who will recommend the most suitable upgrades for your home. Upgrades offered include:

Eligible Home Improvements

Attic insulationCavity wall insulationExternal wall insulation
Internal wall insulationReplacement windowsHeating Systems upgrade
Heating controlsVentilationCompact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
Draught proofingLagging jacket*

Lagging jackets* are insulating materials used to wrap water tanks. Lagging jackets for hot water tanks reduce heat loss, and for cold tanks, prevent them from freezing in winter. Correctly installed lagging jackets can reduce energy consumption by up to 10%.

The grant will cover the totality of the following expenses for these projects:

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Who is Entitled to This SEAI Grant?

woman slim piggy bank left

To qualify for any of these SEAI grants under the Free Energy Upgrade Scheme, you need to meet all four of the following criteria:

  1. The home must be your main residence and you must be the homeowner.
  2. The home was constructed before 2006. It must have also been lived in prior to this date.
  3. The home has an energy rating of C, D, E, F, or G. If you are unsure, you can verify your home’s rating using the SEAI’s National BER register.
  4. You also need to receive one of the following government payments:

If you do not qualify for this SEAI grant, don't fret, have a look at some of the other options for homeowners below.

Did you know? Many energy providers include a Heating Control system at no extra cost when you sign-up for a long-term energy contract. Call our energy experts at (01) 525 6883 and find out how you can get one free today!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Grant?

Here are some of the pros and cons regarding the free energy grant.

Advantages

  • 100% of the works are covered
  • Works carried by a certified contractor
  • Will help lower your energy usage

Disadvantages

  • Surveyor decides improvements to make
  • Can take up to 2 years to finish
  • Eligibility is very limited

What Are the Individual Energy Upgrade Grants?

New wallet with money and piles of coins

This grant allows you to choose which home improvements to bring, choose the registered contractor, and complete the work yourself. It’s important to note that despite being more in charge of this grant, you still need to wait for the approval of the grant before starting the project.

You can choose from any of the following home improvement upgrades to make your house more energy-efficient, thus saving you money on your energy bills:

Let’s now have a more in-depth look at these six Home Energy Grants from SEAI.

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What Is the Attic Insulation Grant?

The home energy grants include four different types of SEAI insulation grants. We break down these different types of insulation grants and their values in the table below.

Attic Insulation Grants
Home TypeGrant value
Apartment (all sizes)€800
Mid-Terrace Home€1,200
Semi-Detached or End-Terrace Home€1,300
Detached House€1,500

What Is the Wall Insulation Grant?

After the Attic insulation grant, there are three different types of wall insulation grants. We look at the different types of SEAI insulation grants available and their values in the table below.

SEAI Updated Grants for Insulation
Grant NameTypes of HomeGrant Value

Attic Insulation

Apartment (any)€800
Mid-Terrace€1,200
Semi-detached or end of terrace€1,300
Detached house€1,500

Important! Homes that have previously received any attic or wall insulation improvements under any previous government scheme are not eligible for this grant.

What Is the Heat Pump Systems Grant?

An alternative to fossil fuel heating systems, heat pumps are devices that transfer, or ‘pump’, heat from one place to another. Heat pumps are used as a greener alternative to efficiently heat your home. Heat sources used by heat pumps include warm air (which is the most common), ground, and water (such as lakes and rivers).

In the table below you’ll find the SEAI grants available for each type of heat pump system.

SEAI Heat Pump System Grants
Heat Pump SystemFeaturesGrant value
Air to airThis unit only provides heating through air. It does not heat water.€3,500 for small types of homes
Air to waterThis takes heat from the air from an external unit. It is the most common type of heat pump.Apartment €4,500
All other homes €6,500
Exhaust air to waterSimilar to the air to water but has a heat recovery system.Apartment €4,500
All other homes €6,500
Ground source to waterUses the heat from the ground. A great renewable energy product.Apartment €4,500
All other homes €6,500
Water to waterUses rivers, lakes, or streams as a heat source.Apartment €4,500
All other homes €6,500
Technical assessmentA requirement prior to applying for the heat pump grant.€200

Heat pumps can only be installed in homes that are already fairly energy-efficient, (well-insulated, for example). A registered technical advisor will need to inspect your home prior to commencing work for which you can receive a grant.

For more information on the different types of heat pumps, check out our upcoming heat pump guide and other home efficiency guides.

There are extra eligibility criteria for the heat pump system grant, they are:

  • You must use one of the SEAI contractors for the technical assessment.
  • You must complete the installation and any upgrades according to the SEAI grants Ireland programme rules.
Radiator

The SEAI advises that customers can save up to 20% on their heating bills by using heating controls. Heating controls can help you heat hot water without turning on home heating, and houses can also be split into zones to allow for more efficient heating.

Most people tend to spend time at home in the sitting room and kitchen areas, only retiring to their bedrooms to sleep. This means that heating the upstairs area to the same temperature and at the same time as the downstairs “living” area, can be wasteful and more expensive.

Any homeowner whose house was built and occupied before 2011 can apply online for a heating controls grant valued at up to €700.

Important! As any new Heat Pump System comes with heating controls, homes that have previously received or are applying for the Heat Pump System grant are not eligible for this one.

Types of heating controls covered by the grant include:

  • Boiler Interlock
    This connects your heating system controls with your boiler, meaning that your boiler will only operate when necessary.
  • Immersion Heater Time and Temperature Control
    This allows you to set the times you need hot water and the water temperature.
  • Seven-day Programmable Timer
    Set your heating system to match when you are at home on a daily and weekly basis. This means you will only be paying for heating when you need it. You can also set your hot water to come on before the time you normally take a shower.
  • Thermostatic Heating Controls (TRV)
    TRVs are thermostats on the side of your radiators. They enable you to maintain different temperatures in different rooms. This is particularly useful when it comes to bedrooms, which should be kept at a lower temperature than living areas.

The Heating Controls Grant replaced the SEAI boiler grants scheme.

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What Is the Solar Water Heating Grant?

New wallet with money and piles of coins

Solar thermal systems use the sun to heat the water. They are designed to meet 50% to 60% of your home's hot water needs.

All homeowners whose dwellings were built and occupied before 2021 can apply for a solar water heating grant of up to €1200.

Typical thermal solar systems cost between €800 to €1300 per square metre. When taking into account the grant money that is offered, the leftover cost can usually be made back within a few years, and that’s not even considering that you’ll no longer be paying for new boilers, servicing, or immersion heaters.

Another advantage of thermal solar panels is that they are very suitable for houses in remote locations not connected to the gas network. As we all know, electricity is far more expensive than gas, and using electricity to heat water can hit people’s pockets really hard, especially during the winter months.

What Is the Solar Electricity Grant?

Having solar PV panels can save you €200 to €300 per year on your domestic electricity bills. To have a quality solar PV system installed will typically cost between €5000 to €7000, including batteries and VAT.

You can apply for the solar PV grant if you own a home that was built and occupied before 2021.

You can receive €1,800 for the first two solar panels installed, and an additional €300 per solar panel after that up to a maximum of €2,400. You won't get any funding for having a solar panel battery installed.

Learn More in Our Solar Panel Grants Guide!

Get immediate savings! The quickest way to save is by having a good energy plan. The CRU recommends switching providers every 12 months to save up to €300 a year! When did you last change energy providers? Call our energy experts for free and find the best offer on the market for your home today!

Who Is Eligible for the Individual Energy Upgrade Grant?

To qualify for any of the SEAI individual energy upgrade grants, you need to meet all four of the following criteria:

  1. The home must be your main residence and you must be the homeowner.
  2. For any of the insulation and heating controls grants, your home must have been constructed and lived in before 2011.
  3. For any of the heat pumps and renewable energy systems grants, your home must have been constructed and lived in before 2021.
  4. Your home must not have received the same home improvement government grant in the past.

You can always have a look at our other SEAI grants section below if you do not qualify for these.

What Are the Pros and Cons of the Individual Energy Upgrade Grant

We summarise the advantages and disadvantages of the individual energy grant below.

Advantages

  • Freedom to choose the upgrades to bring
  • Select a contractor of your choice
  • Wide variety of grants available

Disadvantages

  • More time spent on paperwork
  • Pay up front for renovations
  • Any error can cost you the grant

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What Is the One Stop Shop Service?

As the name suggests, the One Stop Shop Service is intended to make the entire process easier and offer a wider range of SEAI grants for homeowners.

Under this programme, homeowners will be able to receive a complete home energy upgrade. These will be managed by registered SEAI contractors who will manage the entire process for you. From the initial assessment, placing the SEAI grant application for you, conducting the work, and providing the final BER.

The table below depicts the entire range of grants at your disposal.

Complete list of SEAI Grants available to homeowners
Type of grantType of homeGrant value
Home Energy AssessmentAll homes€350
Air tightnessAll homes€1,500
Mechanical VentilationAll homes€1,500
Solar Hot WaterAll homesApartment €1,200
Bonus for reaching B2 with a Heat PumpAll homes€2,000
Heating ControlsAll homes€700
Heat Pump Air to AirAll homes€3,500
External doorsAll homes€800 per door
Floor insulationAll homes€3,500
Solar panelsAll homesUp to €2,400
Heat Pump SystemApartments
All other homes
€4,500
€6,500
Central Heating SystemApartments
All other homes
€1,000
€2,000
Attic insulationApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€800
€1,200
€1,300
€1,500
Rafter insulationApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€1,500
€2,000
€3,000
€3,000
Cavity wall insulationApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€700
€800
€1,200
€1,700
Internal wall insulationApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€1,500
€2,000
€3,500
€4,500
External wall insulationApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€3,000
€3,500
€6,000
€8,000
Windows upgradeApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€1,500
€1,800
€3,000
€4,000
Project managementApartments
Mid-Terrace Home
Semi-detached or End-Terrace
Detached Home
€800
€1,200
€1,600
€2,000

You can choose from a list of qualified SEAI contractors at the "Find a Registered One Stop Shop Provider" link.

Who Is Entitled to This SEAI Grant?

Your home or property needs to meet all of the following criteria to qualify for the One Stop Shop Service grant:

  1. The home must be your main residence and you must be the homeowner.
  2. Your home must have been constructed and lived in before 2011 for insulation and heating controls grants.
  3. Your home must have been constructed and lived in before 2021 for heat pumps and renewable energy systems grants.
  4. Your property must have a B3 or lower energy efficiency rating and a minimum of a B2 upon completion of the upgrades.
  5. Your property must not have received government grants in the past for the same home improvement.

You can also have a look at other SEAI grants section below for further home improvements you may qualify for.

Pros and cons of One Stop Shop Service grant

We summarise some of the pros and cons regarding the One Stop Shop Service grant.

Advantages

  • No need to handle messy paperwork
  • Wider range of grants available
  • Deal with just one point person

Disadvantages

  • Relying on provider to process matters correctly
  • Cannot change if unhappy with contractor
  • Very limited list of providers to choose from

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What Other SEAI Grants Are Available?

There are other important SEAI grants available that are tied to home improvements, these are:

We examine in detail each of these programmes below.

What Is the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS)?

The SEAI Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS) requires energy suppliers to support energy efficiency projects across Ireland.

Under this scheme, companies that sell large amounts of energy are called obligated parties. These parties must reach specific targets set by SEAI. Targets can be achieved by offering support to homeowners to make their homes more energy-efficient.

Through this scheme homeowners can get support from any "obligated party" — it does not have to be from your energy supplier! Check and see which suppliers participate in this scheme. However, we do recommend contacting your energy supplier first to see if they will cover the improvements.

Let’s have a look at what is available for homeowners under the SEAI Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme.

  • Insulation
    Roof, external wall, cavity wall, and floor insulation.
  • Heating
    High-efficiency boiler, solar water heating, and heat pump installation.
  • Glazing
    Full window and external door replacement.
  • Information
    Home energy report and shower energy monitor.

For more information on this grant, visit the EEOS webpage.

What Are EV Grants?

SEAI also provides electric vehicle (EV) grants for both personal and commercial use. Here are the two types of grants available for personal use:

We discuss in further detail these two types of personal EV grants below.

Private Electric Vehicle Grants

This scheme provides a maximum grant value of €5,000 for purchasing qualifying electric vehicles (EVs) that are destined for private use.

The grant value depends on the list price of the vehicle. EVs with a list price of less than €14,000 are not eligible for a grant, nor are second-hand vehicles. The table below shows the corresponding grant values for different vehicle list prices.

SEAI Grants for EVs according to Value
List priceGrant value
€14,000 to €15,000€2,000
€15,000 to €16,000€2,500
€16,000 to €17,000€3,000
€17,000 to €18,000€3,500
€18,000 to €19,000€4,000
€19,000 to €20,000€4,500
More than €20,000€5,000

When purchasing your new electric vehicle, the car dealer will apply for this EV grant for you. The amount will then be deducted from the total price of your new EV.

Did you know? Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) are no longer eligible since 1 January 2022.

What About an EV Home Charger Grant?

Car

With the EV Home Charger grant, you can get up to €600 for a new home charger unit. To qualify, you must own an eligible new or second-hand EV.

The EV charger must be connected to your home’s fuse board, and your home's MPRN will be used to confirm this location. You must park the EV in an off-street location.

You must have purchased the EV (new or second-hand) from 1 January 2018 to qualify for the grant. Once you receive your "Letter of Offer," you must wait until the official start date to commence any work. Otherwise, you will be deemed ineligible for grant support.

You are not eligible if you have received a previous EV charger grant at the same property.

Check Out Our EV Home Charger Guide!

How Do I Apply for an SEAI Grant?

The procedure to apply for an SEAI grant is relatively painless and consists of a clear series of steps. These may vary slightly depending on the grant you are applying for. Steps to follow include:

  1. Choose your energy upgrades
    We advise you to contact a BER* assessor, building contractor, or energy advisor to discuss the suitability of the upgrades you have in mind.
  2. Contact an SEAI registered technical advisor
    The advisor will provide you with a written contract for undertaking a technical assessment. This step only applies if you are applying for a heat pump grant.
  3. Choose a registered SEAI contractor
    The contractor you choose should provide you with a contract for any work before the actual work begins. You will need this contract later for the grant application process.
  4. Apply for the corresponding grant or grants
    You can apply either online via the SEAI website or by submitting a postal application. Online applications will receive grant offers immediately. Postal offers will be issued within five working days. You must accept the offer within the 30-day period after receiving it.
  5. Have the work on your home carried out
    You must make sure all work is carried out within the following eight-month period. Your grant offer letter will contain the final date for completing the work. Be sure all work is carried out by an SEAI registered contractor. Either pay the contractor outright or organise financing with them, then complete a BER assessment and have a BER certificate published.
  6. Receive the grant you applied for
    You must fill out and submit a Declaration of Works form, which the SEAI should have sent to you by post. You will need one form for each upgrade, and each form needs to be filled in by you, your contractor, and your BER assessor. Payment will usually be lodged in your bank account within four weeks of submitting the form.

BER* stands for Building Energy Rating. It indicates the energy performance of your home on a scale of A to G. A BER contractor can help to advise you on the changes necessary to make your home more energy-efficient.

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How Do I Contact SEAI Ireland?

There are multiple different ways to get in touch with SEAI Ireland. In the table below, you'll find contact information for the different SEAI departments.

SEAI Head Office
LoCall☎ 01 808 2100
Address3 Park Place, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2, Co.Dublin D02 FX65
General Consumer Information
LoCall☎ 01 808 2100
Email[email protected]
Home Energy Grants
LoCall☎ 01 808 2004
Email[email protected]
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme
Freephone☎ 01 808 2004
Email[email protected]
AddressSustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, PO Box 119, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry
Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS)
Email[email protected]
EV Grants
Email[email protected]

SEAI Grants Ireland FAQs

What is the SEAI?

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was created under the Sustainable Energy Act of 2002. As you could have guessed from the name, SEAI’s mission is to guide us towards a more sustainable energy future — one that meets our national energy needs as well as our international obligations.

What does the SEAI do in Ireland?

The SEAI is charged with commissioning reports and studies to enable Ireland to meet its 2030 climate and energy goals under the Paris Agreement. In addition to working with the government, SEAI also works with communities, businesses, and households to create an affordable and sustainable energy future.

It reaches these goals by focusing on the following areas:

  • Grants: Funding support for homeowners, businesses, and communities.
  • Home Energy: Increasing comfort and efficiency to save money.
  • Community Energy: Educate to improve how your community manages its energy.
  • Business and Public Sector: Improving efficiency to lower energy costs.
  • Data and Insights: Provide relevant energy-related statistics based on sound research.
  • Technologies: Support energy companies to develop clean energy solutions in Ireland.

Since 2011, the SEAI has invested €400 million in sustainable energy projects. A large share of this funding has gone towards homeowners looking to upgrade their homes and make them more energy-efficient. In this guide, we break down the available SEAI grants in Ireland so that you can take action to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Are there SEAI grants for pensioners?

Grants from the SEAI are not limited to, nor excluded from, pensioners. These grants are intended to make homes in Ireland more energy efficient.

Any homeowner who is also a pensioner can apply for these grants provided their home meets the eligibility criteria.

How long does it take to get an SEAI grant?

How long it takes for you to receive the grant will depend on which one you apply for. In general, most applications are processed between 4 to 6 weeks.

For the Free Energy Upgrade scheme, as you do not have to make any upfront payments, it can take up to 24 months for the project to be completed from start to finish.

You need not worry about this for the One Stop Shop Service as the contractor you select will handle this process for you. They will give you an estimated timeline for the home improvements to be completed.

Are insulation grants still available?

Yes, there are a multitude of SEAI programmes that include insulation grants. Concretely, the following programmes:

Have a look at each programme to see which one would suit you best for your insulation improvements.

Are SEAI grants means tested?

No, the grants are not related to your income or your means. They are awarded in function of the home improvements you are planning to do, meant to encourage better energy efficiency.

What was the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme?

The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme was an SEAI pilot scheme for those with chronic respiratory diseases that ended in February 2022 and is no longer available. It worked on a referral basis. Once you had been referred, an SEAI surveyor would assess your home to identify the most suitable upgrades.

These included the following:

Eligibility for this scheme was limited. The following criteria had to be met in order to receive support:

  • You needed to be living with a chronic respiratory disease.
  • An HSE official had to refer you to the scheme.
  • You were 55 years old or older or had a child under 12 who had been referred.
  • You had been a resident of the house where the works would take place.
  • The home needed to have been built, occupied, and connected to ESB Networks prior to 2006.
  • You or a member of the household must have received the Fuel Allowance or the One Parent Family payment.
  • You had to live within the area designated for the scheme (Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22, and 24).
  • You had to be the owner or rent from a local authority/approved housing association.

The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.

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