Who can avail of the scheme?

It is a National scheme and therefore all homeowners of dwellings built before 2006 may apply. Landlords and owners of multiple properties may also apply, however they must submit a separate application form for each property. If you are a landlord or a management company considering an entire building upgrade, please contact SEI before applying online for the grant.


What type of work can I get a grant for?

Grants will be provided to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements in the following area: Roof Insulation Wall Insulation - this includes either cavity wall, internal drylining or external insulation Installation of a High Efficiency (> 90%) Gas or Oil fired Boilers with Heating Controls Upgrade * Heating Controls Upgrade Building Energy Rating (BER) - you can get a grant for a BER if one is done before and after the works are completed * Minimum requirement of: 2 zones (space and water) with 7 day programmer (time and temperature) control and boiler interlock, time and temperature control of electric immersion heater and either 1 more zone control or 3 TRV’s.

How much are the grants?

Grants are fixed for each type of measure as indicated in the table below. Grant approval must be in place before any purchase of materials or commencement of measures undertaken. Grants are paid after the measures are completed and the contractor has been paid by the homeowner. In the instance where the cost of the work (vat inclusive) is less than the fixed grant amount, the actual cost will be reimbursed.

Is a BER assessment mandatory?

No, a BER assessment is not mandatory. However, there is a grant of €200 for those who choose to have a BER assessment completed Before and After Home Energy Saving works are completed.

Who can do the work?

In accordance with the scheme’s Terms and Conditions, all works must be completed by a contractor from SEI’s Registered List, which will be published when the scheme opens for homeowner applications. If undertaking a BER, these must be completed by a registered BER assessor. A list of registered assessors is available on the SEI website www.sei.ie/BER

How do I apply?

Application details and application forms can be found on www.sei.ie/ber

When can I get the work done?

In accordance with the scheme’s Terms and Conditions, Grant Approval must be in place prior to any purchase of materials or commencement of works is undertaken. However, the Before BER can be done ahead of Grant Approval and could prove beneficial for homeowners who are uncertain about their options or what to get done first.

When might you not qualify for a Home Energy Saving Scheme Grant?

Depending on the scale or type of works being undertaken, the HES grant may not necessarily be appropriate for all homeowners. Homeowners will not qualify for a grant: If your first grant application would be for less than €500. So if you are only intending to do attic insulation (€250) or blown cavity wall insulation (€400) on their own then you will not qualify for a grant. If you are installing a boiler with a typical efficiency <90% then you will not qualify for a grant. If you decide to simply install a boiler but not upgrade the heating controls to the minimum prescribed standard then you will not qualify for a grant. If you decide to simply replace your boiler but not upgrade the heating controls to the minimum prescribed standard then you will not qualify for a grant. If you wish to get a grant for a Building Energy Rating (BER) then you must undertake a BER both before and after undertaking the appropriate grant aided measures.

Do I require planning permission for external wall insulation?

External insulation works to your home under the Home Energy Saving scheme may be exempted from the planning code. However, it should be noted that external insulation of a structure would constitute exempted development under Section 4(1) (h) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 only if it “constituted works which do not materially affect the external appearance of the structure so as to render the appearance inconsistent with the character of the structure or of neighbouring structures”. If there is any doubt about whether or not the particular external insulation proposed for your home will affect the character of the structure as an SEI grant applicant you are advised to contact the planning authority in your area to clarify the matter. Please note also that, in the case of protected structures, proposed protected structures, and buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas, the usual exemptions from the requirements of planning permission may not apply and the advice of the planning authority should always be obtained by you before carrying out any works.

Can I insulate some of my exposed walls and still receive the HES Grant?

To be eligible for the HES grant the optimum solution, which is both physically and economically practicable must be implemented, for example when dealing with walls that this comprises internal insulation of all exposed walls; external insulation of all exposed walls; and in the case of roof insulation that this comprises insulation of the whole surface of the ceiling/ roof-space as appropriate. Partial works are only accepted in exceptional circumstances, for example where it is not physically possible to provide complete roof insulation coverage due to small inaccessible areas of the roof; the idea of dry-lining all exposed walls in a particular dwelling may become economically unviable where it would require the replacement of kitchen units. There may also be instances where the physical limitations are to such an extent as to make insulation unviable. Any exceptional circumstances must be detailed by the contractor in the Declaration of Works.

Some of my external walls are already insulated. Can I apply for a grant to insulate the remaining walls?

Yes. If at the end of the insulation work on your home all the exposed walls are insulated you are eligible for a grant under the HES scheme.

I live in a dormer home. I am planning to insulate the roof space, what grant am I eligible for under the HES scheme?

If you insulate the complete roof area of a dormer dwelling you are eligible to a €250 grant under the HES scheme.

Are hollow block walls eligible for a HES grant?

Yes. Hollow block walls are eligible for either the dry-lining grant of €2500 or the external wall insulation grant of €4000. The hollow block wall is not eligible for cavity fill insulation as this is an inefficient method of insulating this type of wall. The majority of heat is lost through the solid sections of the hollow block such as the ends and spine of the block. So dry-lining could be expected to reduce heat loss by 70-80% and blown insulation into a cavity wall would reduce heat loss by 70%, on the other hand blown insulation in a hollow block wall will only reduce heat loss by approximately 25%.

I am a landlord of an entire apartment block. Can I apply for a grant for all the apartments under the Home Energy Saving scheme?

If you are a landlord or a management company considering an entire building upgrade, please contact SEI before applying online for the grant. Grant provisions will be calculated on the basis of the total wall and/or roof areas to be insulated when compared to those of an average home envisaged under the HES scheme.

Are there instances where I might not qualify for a wall insulation grant?

Yes. In certain circumstances it will not be possible to implement wall insulation which will satisfactorily and sufficiently address heat loss. Such circumstances include: A hollow block wall cannot be insulated with blown insulation. A home with very small rooms e.g. traditional cottage, may not be able to sacrifice the space for dry-lining A heritage or listed building may have preclusion on the upgrading the external facade of the building and hence external wall insulation will not be possible.

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