Last verified June 2026 · SEAI Verified Rates
SEAI Grants Ireland 2026
Every Grant Available Right Now
The average Irish homeowner leaves €8,400 in unclaimed grants on the table. In 2026, SEAI is offering up to €35,000 per home for energy upgrades. Here's the complete picture.
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Grant news — June 2026: The Government has announced a new EV scrappage scheme. Drivers who scrap a petrol or diesel car over 13 years old and buy a new electric vehicle can get a €5,000 scrappage payment on top of the existing €3,500 SEAI EV grant — up to €8,500 in total. It is a €10 million pilot, opening 1 July 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis, applied for through your car dealer and managed by SEAI. Your car must have been yours for at least 12 months and have a valid NCT. Separately, from 31 July 2026 the price cap on the existing €3,500 EV grant drops from €60,000 to €50,000. Last verified 4 June 2026. Always confirm current details at seai.ie.
What the grants are worth in 2026
€12,500
Heat pump
€8,000
Wall insulation
€1,800
Solar PV
€35,000
Deep retrofit
Complete SEAI Better Energy Homes grant table
All amounts below are maximum grants. Your exact amount depends on home size and energy type. Private homes built before 2011 are eligible.
| Upgrade | Max grant |
|---|---|
| Heat pump (air-to-water) | €6,500 |
| Heat pump central heating upgrade | €2,000 |
| Heat pump bonus (from D1 or below) | €4,000 |
| External wall insulation | €8,000 |
| Cavity wall insulation | €1,700 |
| Attic insulation | €2,000 |
| Rafter insulation | €3,000 |
| Floor insulation | €3,500 |
| Solar PV (up to 6kWp) | €1,800 |
| Heat pump water heater | €700 |
| Solar thermal (water heating) | €1,200 |
| Heating controls upgrade | €700 |
| Deep retrofit (One Stop Shop) | Up to €35,000 |
Source: SEAI Better Energy Homes scheme, March 2026. Costs and savings are estimates and vary by home and contractor.
Find out which grants your home qualifies for
Answer 6 quick questions about your home and we'll show your exact grant entitlement — free, no signup required.
Start your free home checkHow to apply for SEAI grants in 2026
- 1
Check your eligibility
Your home must have been built and occupied before 2011. It must be your principal private residence (landlords use a separate scheme). Use our free checker to confirm in 2 minutes.
- 2
Choose an SEAI-registered contractor
You must use a contractor registered with SEAI for the specific grant — a regular builder will not do. SEAI maintains a list at seai.ie. RetrofitReady's contractor directory also shows verified local contractors in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and across Ireland.
- 3
Get a BER assessment (if needed)
For heat pumps and the deep retrofit pathway, a pre-works BER assessment by an SEAI-registered assessor is required. Cost is typically €150–€250. Some contractors include this in their quote.
- 4
Complete the works
Works must be completed before you apply for the grant. Keep all invoices and receipts from your SEAI-registered contractor.
- 5
Submit your SEAI application
Apply online at seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/. SEAI pays the grant directly to you within 4–6 weeks of approval. Some contractors offer grant-assisted pricing and handle the application on your behalf.
Homes like yours, all over Ireland
These are the kinds of homes we hear from every day. Yours will be different — but one of these will probably feel familiar.
1970s semi-D, Waterford city
Oil boiler, single glazed windows, cold bedrooms upstairs. Retired couple, worried about bills.
Starting: BER E
Upgrades: Attic insulation + cavity wall + heat pump
Grants
€15,000
They pay
€3,500
New BER
B3
1990s detached, outside Tuam, Galway
Gas boiler coming to end of life. Two kids, working from home.
Starting: BER D
Upgrades: External wall insulation + solar PV + heat pump
Grants
€22,500
They pay
€5,500
New BER
B1
1960s mid-terrace, Crumlin, Dublin 12
Never been insulated. Single income household, on Fuel Allowance.
Starting: Warmer Homes Scheme
Upgrades: Full insulation + new heating controls — completely free
Grants
Fully funded
They pay
€0
New BER
24–26 month wait
2000s three bed semi, Ballincollig, Cork
Solar panels already installed. Wants to add a heat pump now.
Starting: BER C
Upgrades: Attic insulation first, then heat pump
Grants
€14,000
They pay
€2,000
New BER
A3
1950s farmhouse, outside Castlebar, Mayo
Solid walls, no cavity. Oil heating. Rural, off gas grid.
Starting: BER F
Upgrades: External wall insulation + heat pump + solar PV
Grants
€24,000
They pay
€11,000
New BER
B2
Every property is different. These are illustrative examples based on typical Irish homes and current SEAI grant rates. Your actual costs and grants will depend on your specific property.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission to get SEAI grants?
Most insulation and heating upgrades do not require planning permission as they are considered exempt development. External wall insulation (EWI) on protected structures or in architectural conservation areas may need permission — your contractor can advise.
Can I combine multiple SEAI grants?
Yes. You can combine Better Energy Homes grants — for example, attic insulation, cavity wall, and a heat pump in the same application. The One Stop Shop pathway for deep retrofits bundles all upgrades and offers higher combined grants of up to €35,000.
Can landlords get SEAI grants?
Yes, through the separate Better Energy Communities scheme and the Landlord Grant Scheme. Grants are available up to €15,000 per rental property. From 2025, landlords face minimum BER requirements (D1) for new tenancies, making upgrades financially urgent.
How long does SEAI grant approval take?
SEAI typically pays grants within 4–6 weeks of receiving a complete application. Processing times can be longer during busy periods (January–March). Some SEAI-registered contractors offer grant-assisted pricing, meaning you pay the net cost upfront and they handle the claim.
Is the €12,500 heat pump grant taxable?
No. SEAI energy grants are not considered income and are not subject to income tax, USC or PRSI.
What if I already did works before finding out about grants?
Unfortunately SEAI grants require pre-approval — you cannot claim retrospectively for completed works. However, you may still qualify for other upgrades not yet done. Use our checker to see what's left available for your home.
See your exact grant entitlement now
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Last verified: 2026-06-01