Ireland's home energy grant system in 2026 is the most generous it has ever been. The government has committed to upgrading 500,000 homes to a BER B2 rating by 2030 as part of the Climate Action Plan, and SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) is the primary mechanism for delivering those upgrades. This guide covers every major grant available, how much you can get, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Why SEAI Grants Exist
Irish housing stock is among the oldest and least energy-efficient in Europe. Approximately 90% of Irish homes were built before 2005, and the majority have BER ratings of D or below. Poorly insulated homes are expensive to heat and have high carbon footprints. SEAI grants exist to close the gap between the upfront cost of energy improvements and the long-term financial benefit — making upgrades financially attractive for homeowners while advancing Ireland's climate targets.
Solar PV Grant (Solar Electricity)
Amount: €800 per kWp, capped at €2,400
This is the most frequently claimed SEAI residential grant in 2026. It applies to solar photovoltaic panels installed on a home's roof or walls. The cap of €2,400 is reached at 3 kWp, which is roughly 20m² of panels — suitable for a standard semi-detached.
Eligibility:
- Property must have been built and occupied before 2021
- Must use a SEAI-registered solar electricity contractor
- Grant cannot have been received for the same property previously
The grant is paid directly to the installer; you pay only the net amount. Most installers price their quotes as "after-grant" for clarity.
Heat Pump Grant
Amount: up to €6,500 (air-to-water); up to €4,500 (air-to-air); up to €3,500 (exhaust-air)
Heat pump grants are the largest residential grants SEAI offers. An air-to-water heat pump replaces a gas or oil boiler and uses electricity to extract heat from outdoor air — delivering 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed (a "coefficient of performance" of 3–4).
Eligibility:
- BER assessment required before and after installation
- Home must meet minimum insulation standards before a heat pump is installed (SEAI will not grant a heat pump for a poorly insulated home as it will underperform)
- Contractor must be SEAI-registered
The heat pump grant is frequently combined with insulation grants in a "one-stop-shop" retrofit bundle.
Insulation Grants
| Measure | Grant amount | |---------|-------------| | Attic insulation | €1,500 | | Rafter insulation | €3,000 | | Cavity wall insulation | €1,700 | | Internal dry-lining (walls) | €4,500 | | External wall insulation | €8,000 | | Floor insulation | €3,500 |
Insulation grants are available as standalone measures or as part of a deeper retrofit. External wall insulation is the single largest grant and is particularly relevant for solid-wall homes (pre-1940 construction) where cavity wall insulation is not possible.
Windows and Doors Grant
Amount: €1,500 for windows; €800 per external door (up to 2 doors, capped at €1,600)
Replacing single-glazed or inefficient double-glazed windows with high-performance triple-glazed units qualifies for the SEAI window grant. The window and door grant is available only as part of a broader qualifying retrofit — not as a standalone measure.
Solar Thermal Grant (Hot Water)
Amount: €1,200
Solar thermal panels heat water directly rather than generating electricity. They are typically cheaper to install than solar PV (€3,000–€5,000 installed) and can supply 50–60% of a household's annual hot water needs. The SEAI grant of €1,200 significantly reduces the net cost.
One-Stop-Shop Retrofit
For deeper retrofits — typically targeting BER B2 or better — SEAI offers a one-stop-shop service where a single registered provider manages the entire project: assessment, contractor coordination, grant applications, and quality checks. The combined grant for a typical whole-home retrofit can reach €25,000–€35,000 depending on the measures installed.
How to Apply
The application process depends on the measure:
- Get a BER assessment — a Building Energy Rating is required for most measures. Use a SEAI-registered BER assessor (list available on seai.ie).
- Choose a registered contractor — SEAI maintains lists of registered contractors for each grant type. Using a non-registered contractor disqualifies the grant.
- Apply before installation — you must have a grant approval number before work starts for most measures (solar PV is an exception — applications can be made post-installation for the homeowner grant scheme).
- Work is completed and inspected — SEAI carries out post-completion inspections on a sample of grants.
- Grant is paid — typically paid within 4–6 weeks of submitting the completion paperwork.
Who Cannot Claim
- New builds (built after 2021)
- Properties with a previous grant for the same measure
- Works carried out by non-SEAI-registered contractors
- Rental properties (different scheme — the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme covers low-income households)
Timing Matters
SEAI grant budgets are allocated annually by the Department of Environment. While the programme has been consistently funded in recent years, grant rates and caps have changed over time. Locking in a grant application sooner rather than later protects you from potential future changes.
Combined with the right electricity tariff — particularly important for heat pump homes with high electricity consumption — the ongoing savings from energy upgrades are substantial.
Planning to install solar? See your estimated savings, grant, and payback period for your county and roof size.