THE 60-SECOND GUIDE TO... GETTING A BETTER ENERGY HOMES GRANT

IF you’re fed up with having to endure a home that won’t warm up properly unless your boiler is on full blast, then perhaps its time to think about improving its energy-efficiency.

You can get a grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that can help cushion the cost of getting a new boiler with heating controls or improvements to your home’s building ‘fabric’, such as new double or triple-glazed windows and better roof or wall insulation.

The Better Energy Homes scheme will pay around a third of the cost of these types of works as long as you hire a contractor registered with the agency to do the work for you.

They range from €300 for attic insulation up to €4,500 for external wall insulation on a detached house. Grants are dependent on house size and the only other criteria are that you are the homeowner and live there, and that it was built prior to 2006. There are additional grants awarded if you’re getting three or more works carried out at the same time.

Once you’ve decided on what works you want carried out, the next step is to find a contractor, which you can do by looking up the SEAI’s register for someone local to you. It’s up to you to engage the contractor, agree a price and get a contract of works.

The next step is to apply online or by calling 1850 927000 to get a form posted out. The form will ask for your Meter Point Reference Number, found on your electricity bill, your bank account details and your chosen contractor.

You should wait until grant approval comes through before getting the works done.

Once you do, the works must be completed within six months, and payment will be made once you have submitted all the relevant paper work.

You’ll also need to get a Building Energy Rating certificate as part of this, which costs €150 — but you can get a grant of €50 towards it.