Green mortgages explained
A green mortgage could save you money if you have an energy-efficient home. Here’s all you need to know about green mortgages in Ireland and how to pick the best one.
What is a green mortgage?
It’s a type of mortgage which offers lower interest rates or discounts for those buying, or living in, an energy efficient home.
Energy-efficient homes are more environmentally friendly and need less energy to heat and run, saving money on energy bills over time.
The mortgage loan isn’t ‘green’ itself, and the mortgage lenders are not necessarily more ethical. The positive environmental impact comes from your home using less energy and having a reduced carbon footprint.
Given they offer some of the lowest rates around, green mortgages have been rising in popularity recently, and now account for a third of all mortgage lending in Ireland.
What discounts are available?
Discounts vary and depends on things like the provider, the mortgage term, and your loan-to-value.
But the difference between a provider’s fixed green rate and standard fixed rate for the same term could sometimes be up to 1.5%.
How does a green mortgage work?
Green mortgages in Ireland work the same way as a standard mortgage - you’ll borrow a large sum of money to buy a property and make monthly payments with interest to repay the loan.
The main features are:
- You get a discount off the lender’s standard rate so your mortgage is cheaper
- Savings you make are mostly due to the discounted interest rate
- Mortgage cashback may also be on offer at drawdown
- To qualify, the house you’re buying, building or adapting will need to have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B3 or higher.
What is a Building Energy Rating (BER)?
A Building Energy Rating (BER) shows your home’s energy performance and grades your home’s energy efficiency on a scale of A-G. Things to note:
In summary, A-rated homes will benefit from lower energy bills and leave a smaller carbon footprint while G-rated homes will attract high energy bills and are less environmentally friendly.
To find out more about your BER, visit our guide How to boost your Building Energy Rating (BER).
Are you eligible for a green mortgage?
The eligibility requirements for a green mortgage are the same as for a standard mortgage application, such as being an Irish resident over 18 years, but to qualify for a green mortgage there are three pathways.
You may be entitled to a green mortgage if you are:
- Buying a home with a BER between B3 and A1
- Adapting a home so it has a BER between B3 and A1
- Building a house with a BER between B3 to A1
Green mortgages are available for:
Which lenders offer green mortgages?
Five mortgage lenders in Ireland offer green mortgages for house buyers and homeowners with energy-efficient homes.
AIB
Green mortgages from AIB are available for those with energy rated homes of B3 or higher. If you are buying or building a good energy rated home, AIB is offering a lower rate of interest on their green mortgage than their standard rate mortgage.
Choose between their 5 Year Fixed Rate, 3 Year Fixed Rate or 2 Year Fixed Rate.
EBS
The EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage offers a lower rate of interest if your property is rated between A1 and B3. You’re eligible if you are a first-time buyer, mover, topping up an existing mortgage, switching or moving to a different fixed rate with EBS.
You can also get €3,000 cashback if you switch from another lender to the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage. Terms and conditions apply.
Haven
The Haven Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is available if you are a first time buyer, moving to a new home, taking a Haven Top Up Loan, buying a second home or switching your mortgage. Benefit from this lower rate if you have an energy-efficient home with a rating between B3 and A1.
PTSB
With the PTSB green mortgage, home loan customers with a BER of B3 or better can benefit from a discount on a 3 or 5 fixed rate mortgage if they have an LTV of 60% or 80% (or less) and a mortgage of more than €250,000. It’s available to first-time buyers, home movers and switchers. It can also be combined with the Bank’s cashback offer for new mortgage customers.
Compare green mortgage rates
Quickly compare the mortgage details from each of the five mortgage lenders below.
| Lender | Name of mortgage | Repayment term | Interest rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIB | Green 5 Year Fixed Rate | 5 years | from 3.65% | |
| EBS | Green 4 Year Fixed Rate | 4 years | from 3.75% | |
| Haven | Green 4 year Fixed rate | 4 years | from 3.65% | |
| PTSB | Green 5 Year Fixed Home Loan | 5 years | Discount 0.20% |
Green Mortgages
What are the pros and cons of a green mortgage?
If you’re weighing up whether choosing a green mortgage is worth it, here’s the main benefits and drawbacks:
Pros
Cons
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Should you get a green mortgage?
If your home qualifies, it’s definitely worth considering a green mortgage.
Although all green mortgages are fixed, they include some of the lowest rates on the market right now.
But always check the fixed rate term is right for you, and that you’re not missing out on other deals like cashback or bigger discounts before you decide.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that a green mortgage is not always the cheapest mortgage deal, and you may find lower interest rates with a different provider.
If your home doesn’t meet the criteria, find out if there are any cheap and simple ways to boost your BER rating.
How to get the best green mortgage
The best green mortgage for you will depend on your circumstances, so it’s worth shopping around and comparing deals now there are a growing number of lenders offering this incentive.
Read our guide about building energy ratings (BER) to find out whether your home qualifies for a green mortgage in Ireland and how to boost your rating if it doesn’t.
If a green mortgage is right for you, compare home loan deals using our mortgage search and look out for the Green Mortgage symbol. To find the best green mortgage deal to match your needs, filter by:
If you’re just starting out on your mortgage journey, our Complete Guide to Mortgages in Ireland is a great place to start.
Green Mortgages FAQs
How is my BER calculated?
A BER is based on the calculated energy performance and associated carbon dioxide emissions from room and water heating, ventilation and lighting under standardised conditions.
Factors that are used in the calculation are the house dimensions and orientation, types of windows, insulation and heating and hot water efficiency.
Although a BER takes into account how many people live at the property, it doesn’t include electricity used for purposes other than heating, lighting, pumps and fans.
Can I get a loan to make my home more energy efficient?
Yes, several Irish banks offer Green personal loans and homeowner loans designed for improving your home’s energy efficiency. You’ll just need to provide evidence of work and grants obtained to benefit from discounted loan rates.
Are there any grants available to increase my BER Rating?
Yes, the SEAI offers a range of Home Energy Grants for homeowners and those undertaking a self-build. Home Energy Grants are available for the following:
- Insulation - up to €8,000
- Heat Pump Systems - up to €6,500
- Heating Controls -up to €700
- Solar Water Heating - up to €1,200
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