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The National Home Retrofit Scheme is now open and we are currently accepting applications from homeowners
Contact our experts today to get started on your project
Every contact is important to us. Before we can help with your project, please fill out this short form and a member of our team will get back to you.
What is SEAI’s National Home Retrofit Scheme?
Ireland has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings, including the residential sector, which has set targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2, in addition to installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.
These targets represent a very significant increase in both the volume and depth of retrofit activity. 500,000 homes equate to nearly 30% of all residential buildings in Ireland. In order to achieve these targets, we must transform the way we deliver retrofits by scaling up existing approaches that have proved successful, in addition to working and developing new, innovative solutions.
Who can apply and how does it work?
We are inviting homeowners to apply for funding for energy upgrade projects under the National Home Retrofit Scheme. If your home is built before 2006 and you are interested in implementing multiple energy upgrades to improve your home, you will be eligible for funding under the National Home Retrofit Scheme.
Funding will be provided to projects which demonstrate a comprehensive strategy to significantly improve their home energy performance. Homes must meet the minimum standard of a B2 BER after the completion of works or an improvement of 100 kWh/m²/yr. This means if your home is already at a C1 BER before the energy upgrades, it must then meet a B1 BER standard.
Source: SEAI BER Illustration
What areas do 3 Counties Energy Agency work in?
Under this scheme, 3 Counties Energy Agency work in the following counties:
- Carlow
- Kilkenny
- Wexford
- Waterford
If you are outside of these areas, please visit the SEAI website to find a project coordinator who operates near you.
What is covered?
3 or more energy upgrades are required to apply for this scheme. Some of these works typically include:
- Attic, internal or external insulation.
- Heating system upgrade.
- PV solar panels for electricity.
- A heat pump to replace oil or gas.
- Window and door replacement.
- Demand Control Ventilation or Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery.
- Certified Wood Burning Stoves.
If you only require 1 or 2 energy upgrades, please visit the SEAI website for an alternative grant funding scheme.
Why undergo a major home retrofit?
- Improve energy efficiency
- Reduce your carbon emissions
- Transform your home comfort levels
- Cheaper heating and lighting bills as a result of improving energy efficiency
- Improve your BER – Upgrade your BER rating to a minimum B2 BER.
The following technical requirements should be noted:
a) A pre- and post-works BER is required to be carried out for all properties with the exception
b) Final post work BERs should be a B2 rating or above. All domestic buildings completed must deliver a minimum primary energy BER uplift of 100 kWh/m²/yr.
c) In the case of insulation work, an optimal whole-element solution must be implemented. Partial solutions will not be eligible for grant support without prior agreement. For example, the upgrading of windows, SEAI assume every window will be replaced; failure to replace all existing windows will result in this measure being withdrawn from the grant.
Where in rare circumstances a full replacement is not required a deviation or scope change must be agreed in writing and in advance with the programme manager. Any install which is not a full install and has no written approval will be deemed incomplete and no part of the expenditure will be permitted as eligible.
d) A fabric first solution is mandatory.
e) SEAI will (as noted under the funding levels section) look for evidence that a competitive procurement process has been followed – either a full tender process has been carried out or at a minimum three quotes have been sought for the works.
In addition, SEAI will at evaluation stage review all prices against its pricing database (incorporating pricing data from across SEAI’s domestic programmes) for reasonableness. Where prices are found to be unreasonable and not supported with details justifying higher costs, SEAI will be entitled to adjust the rate in line with market value. This may form part of the evaluation process however post evaluation changes may be affected by SEAI prior to the award of a contract and without notice.
Funding Levels
National Home Retrofit Scheme |
Home type | Grant |
| Private | Up to 35% | |
| Local Authority Homes | Up to 35% | |
| Housing Association Homes | Up to 50% | |
Midlands Retrofit Strand |
Home type | Grant |
| Private non-energy poor | Up to 35% | |
| Private energy poor | Up to 80% |
Project Costs
As this is the first year of this scheme, costs can be difficult to determine. However, this scheme is similar to SEAI’s Deep Retrofit programme and the key findings of that scheme highlights similar costs associated with multiple home upgrades.
The Deep Retrofit key findings can be seen here.
Requirements to note before applying
Please note that all homes require a pre- and post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) to be completed and published. Local Authority Homes are exempt from publishing a pre-BER, however they must be able to demonstrate the minimum BER uplift required.
Fossil fuel boilers are not supported in any way by this scheme and their installation is actively discouraged by SEAI.
SEAI reserve the right to conduct 100% pre works inspection of all domestic sites in advance of any contract award.
Public bodies must comply with public procurement.
How can 3cea help?
3 Counties Energy Agency already has 7 years’ experience in coordinating energy retrofit projects for homeowners. That ensures a quality retrofit focus for clients. We have helped complete retrofits on more than 2,500 houses as well as 500 deep retrofits since 2012.
We can project manage the entire process for clients – from your initial application right through to completion and sign-off.
Why choose 3cea?
7 Years Experience of Coordinating Projects
Expert Advice for Home Retrofits
Our Team Will Look After The Grant Funding Paperwork
Quality Assessment of Contractors
Procurement of Contractors
Management of Contractor Deadlines
‘One Stop Shop’ for Your Home Improvement Journey
Sign Off & Grant Draw Downs
Case Studies
Link to: Energy Efficiency Retrofit for Voluntary & Local Authority Housing
Voluntary & Local Authority Housing →
Contact our experts today to get started on your project
Every contact is important to us. Before we can help with your project, please fill out this short form and a member of our team will get back to you.