GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF YOUR HOME

There are grants available to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administer these grants, which fall under 3 general schemes:

Better Energy Homes Scheme: a scheme for homeowners and landlords who want to do certain energy upgrades and manage the process themselves.

Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme: a scheme for people on low incomes that provides free home energy upgrades.

National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme: a scheme for homeowners, landlords and approved housing bodies (AHBs) who want to bring their homes up to a BER rating of B2 or above using a private company to manage the project.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF MY HOME WOULD BENEFIT FROM ENERGY-SAVING WORK?

You can get a Building Energy Rating (BER) done in advance of any work. A BER assessor will rate the energy efficiency of your home and provide you with a report, which identifies areas that could be improved to increase the energy efficiency of your home. The SEAI has information on their website about the BER and how it works.

WHAT WORK IS COVERED BY THE BETTER ENERGY HOME SCHEME?

Under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, you can get a grant for:

Attic insulation; Wall insulation - including cavity wall, internal dry lining and external insulation; Heating controls upgrade; Solar thermal solutions; Solar PV panels and battery systems; Heat pump systems; A Building Energy Rating (BER) after the energy-saving work is carried out

HOW I QUALIFY FOR THE BETTER ENERGY HOME SCHEME GRANTS?

To qualify for a grant you must:

Be the owner of a property built before 2006 for insulation and heating control systems

Be the owner of a property built before 2011 for heat pump, solar thermal and solar PV grants Use a contractor from the SEAI’s registered list Use newly fitted materials and products Have work done that meets the required standards

Get a BER after the works are done using a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register

HOW MUCH ARE THE INDIVIDUAL ENERGY GRANTS UNDER THE BETTER ENERGY HOMES SCHEME?

On 8 February 2022, these home energy grants were increased. The amount you get for each upgrade depends on the type of home you have. For example, the grant you get to insulate a detached house is more than the grant you get to insulate an apartment. Contact your local Citizens Information Centre for the grant amount for each individual energy upgrade

WHAT WORK IS COVERED UNDER THE BETTER ENERGY WARMER HOME SCHEME?

The scheme covers these home energy upgrades: Attic insulation; Wall insulation - including cavity wall, internal wall and external wall insulation; Draught-proofing; Lagging jackets; Energy efficient lighting; New central heating systems; Replacement windows; Energy advice

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE BETTER ENERGY WARMER HOME SCHEME?

To qualify for this scheme you must meet these criteria:

You must own your home and be living in it Your home must have been built and occupied before 2006

You must not have already had work done under the scheme (this criteria may be reviewed in the future)

You must be getting one of the following social welfare payments:

Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme

Working Family Payment Jobseeker’s Allowance for over 6 months and have a child aged under 7 years Domiciliary Care Allowance

One Parent Family Payment

Carer’s Allowance and you must live with the person you care for

How much will it cost?

You will not be charged for work done under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL HOME ENERGY UPGRADE SCHEME?

The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme provides grants to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home. When the work is completed your home should have an energy efficiency rating of B2 or above. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the scheme and a private company manages the work for you. These companies are called One Stop Shops.

WHAT ENERGY UPGRADE GRANTS CAN I GET UNDER THE SCHEME?

Under this scheme, you can get grants for: Attic insulation; Rafter insulation; Wall insulation - including cavity wall, internal dry lining and external insulation; Floor insulation; Heating controls; Solar thermal solutions (solar hot water); Solar PV panels and battery systems; Heat pump systems and central heating system for heat pump; New windows; New external doors; Mechanical ventilation; Air tightness; Home energy assessment.

ARE THERE SPECIFIC GRANTS TO INSTALL SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS?

The Solar PV Scheme provides a once-off grant towards the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and/or a battery energy storage system in homes. The Solar PV Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). You must apply for the Solar PV Scheme and have received a grant offer from SEAI before proceeding with any works.

SEAI recommends that you insulate your home before considering a solar PV system, as insulation is the easiest way to reduce your energy costs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, P.O. Box 119, Caherciveen, Kerry Tel: 01 808 2100 Homepage: http://www.seai.ie/

If you need further information about any of the issues raised here or you have other questions, call a member of the local Citizens Information team in North Cork. Phone: Fermoy 0818 07 7970 Monday and Tuesday from 9-5pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 9-1pm; Mallow 0818 07 8000 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9-5pm and Tuesday from 9-12.30pm; Mitchelstown 0818 07 8030 – calls being answered by Mallow.

Alternatively, e-mail us on fermoy@citinfo.ie and mallow@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie.