SEAI Grants: What's Available in 2023?

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. The SEAI grants are payments that are made to help you out with the costs of solar panels, insulation and more. Read our full SEAI grants guide to find out more!

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What SEAI Grants Are Available in 2023?

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

• Fully Funded Energy Upgrade: 100% funded home upgrade grants
• Individual Energy Upgrade Grants: Up to 80% funded home energy upgrades
• One Stop Shop Service: Up to 50% cost

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:

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:

• Home Survey
• Contractor Selection
• Contractor Works
• Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate

Who is Entitled to This SEAI Grant?

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:
   • Fuel Allowance scheme.
   • Working Family Payment
   • One-Parent Family Payment
   • Domiciliary Care Allowance
   • Carers Allowance. You must be living with the person you are caring for.
   • Disability Allowance for more than six months. You must also have a child less than seven years old.
   • Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months. You must also have a child less than seven years old.

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?

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:

• Attic Insulation Grant
• Wall Insulation Grant (Cavity, internal, and external walls)
• Heat Pump System Grant
• Heating Controls Grant
• Solar Water Heating Grant
• Solar Electricity Grant

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Is the Heating Controls Grant?

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.

What Is the Solar Water Heating Grant?

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

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.

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

What Other SEAI Grants Are Available?

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

• Other SEAI Grants List
• Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS)
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Grants

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:

• Personal use EV grants
• Private Electric Vehicle Grants
• EV Home Charger Grant

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.

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?

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.

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.