Grants

Better Energy Scheme (BES)

This objective of this scheme is to improve the energy performance of the nations existing housing stock by encouraging owners to upgrade their homes (new housing stock is already subject to high standards introduced in the 2008 Building Regulations). This will save money, reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme will also stimulate employment in the building sector. €69.9 million of government funding was allocated to the National Retrofit Programme in 2011, of which the BES scheme is a part. SEAI oversee the standards and quality of work for contractors associated with this scheme. Grants were reduced in May 2011 by around 20% compared to 2010 levels, and were reduced further in December 2011. For that reason, sooner is better when it comes to retrofitting/upgrade works.
When you apply for an insulation grant, SEAI request that all of the attic or walls be upgraded at the same time wherever feasible. A BER is mandatory every time you claim a grant, but the BER grant is only available once per property. Each type of grant is available once for the property. The wall insulation grant is available for one type of insulation only; either cavity fill, external or internal insulation (even if you choose to to install more than one type during the upgrade works). SEAI ask you to choose the "optimum solution" for each measure during grant aided work, which essentially means that if you are insulating the walls, you insulate all the external walls. Or if you insulate the roof, insulate all the roof to current standards (250mm-300mm of fibreglass wool, or the equivalent, would be appropriate).
The total grant amount for upgrade works in the first application must be at least €400. The €50 BER grant cannot be included in this figure.
So, if you wanted to get a grant for attic insulation for example (€200) you would need to get some other work done as well, at around the same time, for inclusion in the same grant application. Generally it will be more cost effective to get all the work done together under one grant application, if possible.

These grants are gradually being reduced and phased out. It is expected that after 2013 they will be entirely replaced by a Pay As You Save scheme. In this scheme, all the up-front costs of upgrade works will be registered as a debt on your gas or electricity bill. The amount of fuel to be saved as a result of the upgrade will be calculated, and this amount added to your bill. In theory then, there will be no change to the bill. The calculated amount will serve as a repayment, until the original debt is completely repaid. If you sell the house in the meantime, the remaining debt (and the upgrade) will pass to the new owner. If you prefer the current system in which you pay up-front now, and then claim back the grant amount, and then see a reduction in your fuel bills; act sooner rather than later. 

Grants for the following amounts are currently available;

Roof or Attic Insulation	€200
Cavity Fill Wall Insulation	€250
Internal Wall Insulation	€900-€1800
External Wall Insulation	€1800-€3600
Heating Controls Upgrade & New Boiler	€560
Heating Controls Upgrade only	€400
BER Assessment; After Works BER	€50
Solar Heating	€800

How to proceed

• Step 1. Either get a Before & After BER Assessment of your property with a Detailed Recommendation Report, OR get a free Home Energy Self Survey (available to download when applying online for the BES),

OR if you have already decided which measures are needed, go ahead to Step 2. 

• Step 2. Apply for your BES grant approval. The grant offer expires six months after approval, so go ahead to Step 3 as soon as possible.
• Step 3. Select contractors in your area from the SEAI list of approved contractors. Preferably get 2 or 3 quotes.
• Step 4. When the upgrade work is complete, you must get the After Works BER assessment done. Enrate offer a special discount rate of only €60 for this assessment if it is part of the Before & After BER package, or €85 if we have a recent BER for the property on file. Further local area discounts can bring the price as low as €45. If grant work has already been completed without a BER, then obtain the standard price by clicking on the Prices tab at the top of this page, and then add €10 for grant processing (plus any other extras for extensions etc. as per the list on the Prices page) then subtract any local area discount. Please note that the householder has to pay the full cost of the BER assessment(s) and any upgrade works before receiving the grant. Before booking your After Works BER please ensure that the works contractor(s) have completed the PGE estimates (section 4) of the BER Confirmation and Request for Payment form and the associated Declaration of Works forms. The various forms make up a single document, and they must be passed on to the BER assessor, preferably at the time of the BER Survey. Before claiming your grant, the different sections must be fully completed by the householder, the works contractors and the BER assessor.
• Step 5. After we have completed the new BER assessment, filled in certain calculations and signed the Confirmation and Request for Payment form, we will return the document to you by regular post. At this stage fill in section 2(b) bank details, if necessary, and forward it on to SEAI to claim your grant money. SEAI will take 4-6 weeks to process completed grant forms and lodge the money in your nominated bank account.
• Step 6. Enjoy the increased comfort levels and lower fuel bills of your newly upgraded home.

Additional Notes

The building must have been constructed pre 2006 to qualify. You cannot get grants for a new build project.
You must use a contractor from the approved list (no grants for DIY).
It is possible to apply for the grants and get work done before getting any BER assessment, but you will still need a BER after completion of the works.  

To apply for the scheme click here.

 

Warmer Homes Scheme

The aim of this scheme is to combat fuel poverty in certain low income households, and very often to help pensioners get basic upgrades for older uninsulated houses. Attic insulation, hot water cylinder lagging jackets, CFL light bulbs and sometimes wall insulation will be installed free or at low cost for eligible persons. Various local organisations are in charge of implementing the scheme around the country; some are more active than others.

Click here for more info and to find your local organisation

Middleman Schemes

You may find other schemes clustered around the country which act as a middleman between the householder and the Government/ E.U. grants that are available. They usually pass on the full amount of the grant, but they will restrict you to using one particular product for each type of grant. The manufacturer of that product then pays for the administration of the scheme. These schemes may make claims that their product installers are better trained than others, or are subject to independent inspections.

Be aware that these are commercial businesses and are not to be confused with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which, being a government agency is truly independent. If you are happy that their product is the right one for you, and is not overpriced, these schemes can reduce hassle by organising your grant paperwork and sending installers out to visit you.