Irish homeowners eligible for €8,000 energy grant amid cost of living boost

This could help relieve the financial strain of the winter months

As the nights grow longer and the weather turns colder, people across the country are preparing for the financial strain that accompanies the winter months.

Especially since the electricity prices are higher than in previous years, improving your home's energy efficiency is probably one of the most effective ways to cut costs.

And the good news is, the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), offers generous grants to help homeowners, landlords, and housing bodies to make their properties warmer, cheaper to heat, and more environmentally friendly, per The Irish Mirror.

The overall goal is to bring homes up to a minimum energy rating of B2.

The One Stop Shop Service scheme provides both financial help and project management support through SEAI-approved contractors.

So, whether you're planning a full retrofit or smaller energy-saving improvements, the registered One Stop Shops can oversee the entire process, from initial assessment and grant application to completion of the work.

Now, the level of grant support varies depending on the type of home and the upgrades being completed.

Homeowners and private landlords can receive between €350 and €8,000 in grant funding, while approved housing bodies can access up to €10,000.

However, the final amount depends on the size of your home, the age, and the current energy rating, as well as the specific upgrades you're undertaking.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for funding under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, you must:

• Own a property built and occupied before 2011 (for insulation, heating control systems and renewable energy grants).
• Have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B3 or lower before work begins.
• Achieve at least a B2 rating after upgrades and improve energy performance by 100kWh/m2 per year.
• Not have previously received SEAI grants for the same type of work.
• Use a registered SEAI One Stop Shop to carry out and manage all upgrades

What upgrades are covered?

The scheme covers a wide range of home improvements, including:

• Attic, rafter, wall and floor insulation
• Heating control systems
• Solar panels and solar thermal systems (for water heating)
• Heat pump systems and related central heating upgrades
• New windows and external doors
• Air tightness and mechanical ventilation systems
• Home energy assessments and full project management

To apply, homeowners should contact an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop first.

The approved providers will then assess your property and determine what grants you qualify for. Eventually, they will manage your application and upgrade process on your behalf, per The Irish Mirror.

On the official SEAI website (www.seai.ie), you can find a full list of registered One Stop Shops as well as more information about the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.