Retrofitting in Ireland: Costs, grants and installers
Retrofitting your home in Ireland is a great way to improve your energy efficiency, lower your bills, and reduce your carbon footprint. However, understanding the costs, available grants, and choosing the right installers is crucial before you commit.
At a glance
Home retrofitting in Ireland
The term ‘retrofitting’ means making changes and upgrades to your home to enhance its energy efficiency, performance, and comfort.
What does it involve?
A retrofit can be partial and only focus on one or two upgrades or a whole house, deep retrofit which involves a complete renovation.
Here’s some examples of the types of renovation or upgrades a retrofit may include:
- Insulation: Adding insulation to walls, floors, and ceilings to minimise heat loss and reduce energy bills
- Heating system upgrades: Replacing older, inefficient boilers and/or room heaters with newer, energy-saving models
- Window and door replacement: Fitting energy-efficient windows and doors to prevent drafts and reduce heat loss
- Renewable energy installations: Installing solar panels, ground-source heat pumps, or biomass boilers to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Ventilation enhancement: Ensuring proper ventilation to avoid dampness and promote healthy air quality
- Adding Smart Home features: Integrating smart thermostats, lighting systems, and appliances for greater control and convenience
What are the benefits of retrofitting?
Retrofitting your house is not just about saving money but also about creating a more comfortable and sustainable home for you and your family. Take time to weigh up the benefits and possible pitfalls when planning house renovations. Here’s a few considerations:
Pros
Cons
How much does a retrofit cost?
The cost of a retrofit varies greatly depending on several factors including:
- the size of the property
- condition of your house or apartment
- the extent and scope of changes
- type of upgrades
- the materials used
On average, you could expect to spend the following amounts, but this depends on the type of upgrades and labour costs.
- Basic retrofit: Up to €12,000 (excl grants)
- Deep retrofit: Between €40,000 and €55,000 (excl grants)
| Example upgrade | Average costs (before grants) | |
|---|---|---|
| Internal wall insulation | €5,000 - €10,500 | |
| Attic insulation | €2,000 - €2,500 | |
| Cavity insulation | €1,000 - €2,250 | |
| Smart heating controls | €3,500 - €4,000 | |
| Heat pump (Air-to-Water) | €15,000 - €18,000 | |
| Solar PV panels (4 kWp) | €6,500 - €10,000 | |
| Example total | €33,000 - €47,500 |
Here’s the typical cost of improving your building energy rating (BER) for different property types:
| Type of home | BER upgrade | Approx cost |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced | C1 to A3 | € 32,000 |
| Semi-detached | C3 to A3 | € 34,000 |
| Detached | C3 to A2 | € 47,000 |
How much could you save on energy bills?
The amount you can save with a retrofit in Ireland varies depending on several factors:
- Scope of your retrofit: A basic retrofit could save around 5-15% on your bills, whereas a deep retrofit could cut bills by 50% or more
- Current energy consumption: If your energy consumption is already low, the savings may be small; high-energy households could see significant savings
- Type of fuel you use: Households relying on more expensive fuels like electricity or oil can potentially see larger savings compared to those using gas
- Government grants: Grants like the SEAI Better Home Grants can significantly reduce the upfront cost of the retrofit, leading to faster payback periods and higher net savings
For a more specific estimate of your potential savings, consider:
- Getting an energy audit to identify key areas for improvement
- Using SEAI’s online retrofit calculator
- Consulting with a SEAI advisor or qualified installers for advice
Retrofit grants and funding in Ireland
The Irish government offers several grants under different schemes to help make retrofits more affordable.
Here are the main grants offered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI):
Example grants available from SEAI
| Upgrade Type | SEAI Grant Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV systems | Up to €1,800 (for systems up to 4kWp) | |
| Solar heating installation | Up to €1,200 | |
| Heat Pump systems | Up to €12,500* | |
| Heating controls | Fixed grant of €700 | |
| Attic insulation | Up to €2,000 | |
| Internal insulation (dry lining) | Up to €4,500 | |
| Cavity wall insulation | Up to €1,800 | |
| External wall insulation (wrap) | Up to €8,000 | |
| Windows and doors | Maximum €4,000 (windows) and €1,600 (doors) |
* includes €6,500 for the heat pump, €2,000 towards upgrading radiators and pipework, and a brand-new €4,000 Renewable Heating Bonus for completely removing a fossil fuel boiler.
Applying for an SEAI retrofit grant
Before you start, check that your home or property is eligible for a grant. The home must be built and occupied before 2011 for insulation and heating controls and 2021 for heat pumps and renewable systems. Your property may not be eligible if energy grants were received by previous owners, and applications for works done before or after the grant offer period are not eligible for payment.
You’ll need to allow between four and six weeks for grant payments after invoicing.
The application process will differ depending on whether you want to apply for an individual energy grant or the One Stop Shop Service.
Is there extra help for first time buyers?
First-time buyers purchasing an existing home can now access a higher, specific grant for attic Insulation.
In many cases, this higher grant covers almost the entire cost of the job, helping new buyers get on the energy upgrade ladder immediately.
Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is designed to make energy-efficient home improvements more affordable for homeowners in Ireland. The government-backed loan scheme allows homeowners to borrow up to €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates.
The goal is to help finance energy upgrades supported by SEAI grants to improve Building Energy Ratings (BER) by at least 20%.
Key features include:
Eligibility and conditions:
The loan is for private homeowners in Ireland (including rental properties). Mixed-use property, short-term lettings and holiday homes do not qualify.
It must be used to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home. This means:
- At least 75% of the loan must go toward energy upgrades
- Up to 25% can be used for related non-energy works (e.g. redecorating)
- Property must be in the Republic of Ireland
- Applicant must own the property and qualify for an SEAI grant
- Works must be projected to improve BER by 20% or more
Your SEAI project broker will assess this.
Which lenders are participating in the Scheme?
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is available from major banks and credit unions, including:
- AIB
- An Post Money in partnership with Avant Money
- Bank of Ireland
- PTSB
- Seven regional credit unions
Compare home improvement loans
What is the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme?
Under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS), energy suppliers can offer financial support to make your home more energy efficient.
The EEOS requires that large energy suppliers and distributors in Ireland achieve annual energy efficiency targets. One of the ways that suppliers meet their annual targets is by helping to support homes and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
The most common way to benefit from EEOS is to secure financial support from your supplier in combination with other SEAI grants.
Learn more about the scheme and how to access grants on the EOSS for Homeowners page.
How to find retrofit contractors and installers
Choosing qualified and registered installers is essential for quality work and compliance with regulations. Get multiple quotes and compare prices and services from different installers agreeing to work.
Here are some helpful resources:
- SEAI contractor database: Search for qualified and registered contractors in your area
- One-Stop Shop service: Offers a complete package for home energy upgrades, including finding installers, project management and finance options, like green loans
- Visit SEAI for further help with planning your home energy upgrade.
Consider an energy audit to identify the most impactful and cost-effective measures for your home, or consult with a SEAI advisor who can provide advice and guidance on grants and suitable measures.
If you prefer to go by word-of-mouth, make sure you seek recommendations from friends, family, or neighbours who have recently had retrofits done. Ask for references from previous clients of the installers you’re considering.
Are retrofits worth it?
Saving money is just one benefit of a retrofit. You’ll also enjoy increased comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and will likely boost the value of your property.
By investing in a well-planned retrofit, you can enjoy significant long-term benefits for your wallet and the environment.
Retrofitting FAQs
How much does it cost to renovate your home?
While a home retrofit focuses on the performance of a home and its energy efficiency, a renovation includes upgrades that refresh the look of your property or make it more functional.
Though costs can vary, a full home renovation could cost up to €200,000 for a 112 square meter home (approx €1,500 per square meter).
Though size, quality of materials, labour costs and permits will affect the overall price, here’s a rough estimate for each area:
If you’re renovating, it could also be an ideal time for energy upgrades like attic/wall insulation, a heat pump or solar panels.
Can you apply for more than one insulation upgrade?
Yes, a new rule was brought in on 2 March that allows more than one insulation grant application. Previously, if you claimed an SEAI grant for wall insulation, you were locked out from ever claiming it again.
Now, if you want to improve your insulation further, for instance, such as adding external “wrap” insulation over previously pumped cavities, you can apply for a second wall insulation grant.
Do you have to have BER of B3 or less to qualify a heat pump grant?
No, the rules changed on 3 March. Under the One Stop Shop scheme, the SEAI scrapped the rule that a home must have a starting BER of B3 or worse.
This makes qualifying for a heat pump installation much easier. They also dropped the minimum “energy uplift” requirement, making it much easier for homes to get approved for a heat pump installation.
What energy upgrade grants are available if I am on social welfare?
If you are receiving certain social welfare payments, you may be eligible for the Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme (traditionally known as the Warmer Homes Scheme). Under this scheme, the SEAI covers 100% of the cost of upgrading your home’s energy efficiency.
As part of the March 2026 rollout, the SEAI introduced higher fixed-amount grants for attic and cavity wall insulation specifically for people on qualifying welfare payments who want to manage individual upgrades themselves.
Claiming these higher individual grants will not affect your place on the Fully Funded Energy Upgrade Scheme waiting list for a deeper retrofit later on.
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