Grants for Heat Pumps and Insulation

Grants of up to €6500 towards heat pumps, solar panels and insulation are available to homeowners.

These grants are available from The Better Energy Homes Scheme and are not income-related – anyone can apply regardless of income. .The scheme was revised in 2018  – and the grant that was previously given for replacement of an oil or gas boiler is no longer offered.

Up until 2018, some homeowners who upgraded their old central heating boiler could claim a grant towards the cost of a new boiler – but now the grants are aimed at solar heating and heat pumps instead of boilers.

  • You can get grants of
  • up to €6500 for heat pump systems.
  • up to €1200 for solar thermal systems and
  • €700 towards upgrading central heating controls.
  • There are no grants towards the cost of new gas or oil boilers.


Grants For Heat Pumps


Heat pumps are electrical devices that convert energy from the ground or the air into useful heat. In well-insulated houses, they are very economical to run. They are an extremely efficient alternative to oil, gas, solid fuel and electric home heating systems.

Different types of heat pump systems draw heat from different sources: air, water or the ground. The heat generated is released via radiators, underfloor heating or warm air. All heat pump systems, excluding those that just provide warm air to the home, can supply all of the hot water needed for baths, showers and sinks.

Eventually – all new homes won’t be allowed to have gas or oil boilers – so they will need to use heat pumps instead.


A typical price to install a new heat pump system is between €10,000 – €12,000 . This figure doesn’t include additional costs such as fitting new internal pipework if your existing pipework needs to be replaced.

Hot water requires a higher temperature than space heating, so most heat pump systems require some backup heating to reach adequate temperatures.

A technical assessment of your home needs to be carried out to see if it is suitable for a Heat Pump . There is a grant of €200 grant towards the technical assessment. Find out more at SEAI

Uninsulated or poorly insulated homes built more than 30 years ago may require substantial and costly upgrades to qualify for a heat pump system grant.

The grant will not be paid to replace an existing heat pump.

It might be a better idea to apply for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme – which will pay towards a full retrofit of homes. More details on this are at the bottom of the page.


Upgrade of Heating Controls

Under the Better Energy grant scheme,  householders who own a house that was built before 2011 can get a grant of €700 towards the cost of upgrading central heating controls. (Regardless of the type of boiler).
The heating controls upgrade must include –

  • Two zones (space and water) with 7-day programmer (time/temperature)
  • Time/temperature control of electric immersion (where applicable).
  • 1 additional heating zone – OR installation of sufficient Thermostatic radiator valves.

Insulation Grants

Bigger grants are also available to help Keep Your House Warm. Insulation – for example – as much as €8000 towards external insulation on a detached house.
Grants towards these eco-friendly features are available from The Better Energy scheme . Run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).


Time Limits on Grants

The insulation and heating control grants are only available on homes built and occupied before 2011.
The solar panel and heat pump grants are only available on homes built and occupied before 2011.(The occupation date is defined as the date your electricity meter was installed.)


Tip: If you are looking for other ways to cut your energy bills – one quick and easy way is to just switch your supplier. Savings in the region of €500 can easily be made by the average household in just 1 year. See the best energy switching  deals here


Full details below of the amounts of grants available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.

(Figures checked November 2023)


GRANT AMOUNTS
ApartmentMid
Terrace
Semi
Detached
Detached
Attic Insulation€800€1200€1300€1500
Cavity Wall Insulation €700€800€1200€1700
Wall Insulation – External€3000€3500€6000€8000
Wall Insulation – Internal €1500€2000€3500€4500
Heating
Heat Pump Systems
(Not Air to Air)
€4500 €6500 €6500 €6500
Air to Air Heat Pump€3500 €3500 €3500 €3500
Heating Controls Upgrade €700 €700 €700 €700
Solar Water Heating €1200 €1200 €1200 €1200

All grants are paid after the work has been done.
The work must be carried out by a contractor from the SEAI’s registered list.

A typical price for cavity wall insulation on a detached home would be about €1600 – so the grant would cover most of that.

Attic insulation costs will vary with size – especially on dormer bungalows – but on a detached house the grant should usually cover between 50% and 80% of the cost.

Online applications for the grants can be made here

Contact SEAI on 01808 2004

Email info@betterenergyhomes.ie


SOLAR PANEL GRANTS

There are also grants available to help with the installation of Solar Photovoltaic panels to generate electricity for homeowners.
Information about the grants for Solar Panel Electricity


Get Free Insulation: If you are getting the fuel allowance, One Parent Benefit, FIS or Jobseekers – you might qualify for free insulation from another scheme. More details here about the  Warmer Homes Scheme


National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme

A new scheme was announced in February 2022 .
This National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is aimed at those who are interested in retrofitting their home to improve its energy efficiency and can partially fund it themselves.
It will be administered by the SEAI – and they are calling it their “One Stop Shop Service”.
One provider will carry out all the upgrades needed to bring a home up to a minimum BER of B2. You will be able to access a wider range of grants using a One-Stop Shop than if you were to manage the project yourself. Grants for windows, doors , ventilation and floor insulation are available through the One Stp Shop.

Which Homes are Eligible?

  • Built and occupied before 2011 for insulation and heating controls
  • Built and occupied before 2021 for heat pump and renewable systems grants
  • Has an existing BER of B3 or lower and must achieve a minimum rating of B2 on work completion, with a 100kWh/m2/year or better improvement on the BER primary energy value
  • Has not previously received grants for the same home energy upgrades


There are currently a small number of service providers registered for this One Stop Shop .So it is likely that people may encounter delays in getting home assessments