Better Energy Homes Scheme
Introduction
The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants to certain homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their home. It replaced the Home Energy Saving Scheme. Landlords and owners of more than one property can also apply for a grant under the scheme. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
A national upgrade programme called 'Better Energy' was launched in 2011. As part of this programme, the Home Energy Saving Scheme was relaunched as the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
In addition, the Finance Act 2011 proposed a new scheme of tax relief for energy-efficiency works. However, it was decided not to proceed with this provision.
Types of work covered
The Better Energy Homes Scheme covers all of the items eligible for grants under the earlier Home Energy Saving Scheme. You can get a grant for the following energy-saving work:
- Roof insulation
- Wall insulation - for example, cavity wall, internal dry lining or external insulation
- Installation of a high efficiency boiler (more than 90% efficiency) including a heating controls upgrade
- Heating controls upgrade
- Building Energy Rating (BER) after the energy saving work is carried out.
- Solar heating – formerly provided under the Greener Homes Scheme
SEAI will only fund certain heating control upgrades with certain functions. Also, while grants are available to upgrade heating controls for heat pumps or biomass systems, you will not get a grant for this if you previously got a grant under the Greener Homes Scheme to install the system.
How to find out if your home would benefit from energy-saving work
You can use the Home Energy Self Survey to identify areas in your home which could be improved to increase its energy efficiency.
You can also get a Building Energy Rating (BER) done in advance of any works. A BER assessor will energy rate your home and provide you with an advisory report, which will help identify areas that could be improved to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
Rules
You must have grant approval before you buy materials or start any grant-funded energy-saving work. If you have already started work, you will not be eligible for a grant.
However, a before BER can be done ahead of grant approval and could prove useful if you are uncertain about your energy saving options or what to get done first.
To qualify for a grant you must:
- Be the owner of a dwelling built before 2006
- Use a contractor from SEAI’s registered list
- Have a BER carried out after the works are done
- Use a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register
- Apply for a minimum amount of €400 with your first application. You can apply for a number of grants under the scheme to reach the €400 minimum application amount but a BER grant cannot form part of this amount.
You may not get a grant if:
- Your first grant application is for less than €400
- You are replacing your existing boiler with a typical efficiency boiler of less than 90% efficiency
- You replace your boiler but do not replace the heating controls
- The work is part of any payment you received under the HES pilot scheme - see below.
SEAI publishes detailed FAQs about the scheme.
Planning permission
You should check with your local authority whether you require planning permission for the work you want to carry out. In general, you will not require planning permission for the particular measures which are grant aided under this scheme except in the case of external wall insulation.
You may require planning permission for external wall insulation. The need for planning permission will depend on a number of things, for example, whether it will affect the external appearance of the building or whether the building is a protected structure. Contact your local authority to find out whether or not you need planning permission for your external wall insulation.
Rates
Grants are paid after the work is completed and you have paid your contractor.
Applications received from specific offshore islands are eligible for 50% additional grant support.
If the cost of the work (including VAT) is less than the maximum grant amount, you will get a grant for the actual cost of the work.
| Measure | Home Energy Saving Scheme grant - up to 9 May 2011 | Better Energy Homes Scheme grant - from 16 May 2011 |
| Roof insulation | €250 | €200 |
| Cavity wall insulation | €400 | €320 |
| Internal wall dry-Lining | €2,500 | €2,000 |
| External wall insulation | €4,000 | €4,000 |
| High efficiency (more than 90% efficiency) gas or oil fired boiler with heating controls upgrade | €700 | €560 |
| Heating controls upgrade | €500 | €400 |
| A BER assessment after works are done | €100 | €80 |
| Solar heating | (formerly under Greener Homes Scheme) | €800 |
How to apply
You can apply online or else download an application form (pdf). Online applications will get a response within 3 working days. Postal applications will get a response within 20 working days.
SEAI has produced a guide to help with your application (pdf).
Where to apply
Better Energy Homes Scheme
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
P.O. Box 119
Caherciveen
Kerry
Ireland
Locall:1850 927 000
Homepage: http://www.seai.ie/
Email: hes@seai.ie
Language
Related Documents
- Warmer Homes Scheme
This scheme aims to increase the energy efficiency and warmth of homes where people on low incomes are living. - Greener Homes Scheme
The grant scheme for home heating systems using renewable energy sources is now closed. - Housing for older people
There are special schemes and grants for housing and home improvements for older people and people with disabilities.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.