Better Energy Homes scheme

Rules

You can get a grant or the following energy-saving and renewable solutions:

• Attic insulation
• Wall insulation - including cavity wall, internal dry lining and external insulation
• Heating controls upgrade
• Solar thermal solutions
• Heat pump systems
• A Building Energy Rating (BER) after the energy-saving work is carried out (you must get this BER to qualify for the grant)

See the Application Guide (pdf) for technical specificiations, as well as information on insurance, contracts, inspections, grant limits and how to apply. Your contractor(s) must carry out the works in accordance with standards set out in the Contractor Code of Practice and Technical Specification (pdf).

SEAI publishes detailed information about the Better Energy Homes scheme.

How to qualify

You must have grant approval before you buy materials or start any grant-funded work. If you have already started work, you will not be eligible for a grant. Once approved, you have 6 months to get the works done and claim the grant.

To qualify for a grant you must:

• Be the owner of a dwelling built before 2006 for insulation and heating control systems
• Be the owner of a dwelling built before 2011 for heat pump and solar thermal grants
• Use a contractor from SEAI’s registered list
• Use newly fitted materials and products
• Have work done that complies with the required standards
• Have a BER carried out after the works are done
• Use a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register

You may not get a grant if:

• The measures do not comply with the required standards
• The relevant measure (the work on your home) was already incentivised under another grant programme

How to find out if your home would benefit from energy-saving work

You can 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.

Planning permission

In general, you do not need planning permission for most works carried out under this scheme, though you may require it for external wall insulation. This depends on whether the insulation will affect the external appearance of the building or whether the building is a protected structure. Contact your local authority to check if you need planning permission.

Choosing a contractor

Before choosing a contractor from the registered list, the SEAI recommends that you:

• Ask friends, family, and neighbours who have done building work recently, for advice and recommendations on contractors
• Get a number of quotes and compare the offers
• Request and check the contractor’s references
• Formalise the relationship with your chosen contractor by drawing up a contract detailing the required works, prices, timescales, payment terms and warranties

Getting the work done safely

Under the Regulations governing safety, health and welfare at work, homeowners must ensure that construction work on their home is carried out by competent people. Read more, including a guide for homeowners (pdf) and some Frequently Asked Questions, on the website of the Health and Safety Authority.