The Facts
- €50 million in grants to help home owners to upgrade their homes.
- €100 grants towards the cost of two building energy ratings – one before implementing energy efficiency measures and one after.
- Green Circle provides concessionary rates for 'before and after' energy ratings (see left) and will assist householders in choosing energy saving initiatives that make sense in their particular home and circumstances.
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 SEAI before applying online for the grant. Homes built from 2006 onwards should have been constructed to the 2003 Building Regulations and so should not require significant insulation or heating system upgrades.
Who can do the work?
In accordance with the scheme's Terms and Conditions, all works must be completed by a contractor from SEAI's Registered List, which will is published here on the SEAI website. If undertaking a BER, these must be completed by a registered BER assessor. Green Circle’s BER assessors are all on SEAI’s registered by SEAI as BER assessors.
How do I apply?
Applicants must first read the 'Home Energy Saving Scheme Application Guide' for an overview of the scheme and to aid them thereafter in filling out the Scheme Application Form. You can apply online by filling out the online application form. Alternatively you can download the application form, complete it and return it to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Applicants must ensure grant approval is received before proceeding with any product purchase or installation work. However, the ‘Before’ BER may be done ahead of grant approval and could prove beneficial for homeowners who are uncertain about their options or what to get done first.
Special Offer on Building Energy Ratings for the HES Scheme
The State has introduced two great schemes to help home owners to implement energy saving initiatives. These are:- ESB’s Halo Scheme - a scheme that enables people to get a free energy audit of their home carried out. ESB will provide the home owners with a report on improvements that they should make to upgrade their homes.
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)’s Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme. This Scheme offers grants towards the cost of energy efficiency upgrade measures, varying depending on the measure concerned.
A list of eligible measures and fixed grant rates is set out below:
| Measure | Fixed grant* |
|---|---|
| Roof insulation | €250 |
| Cavity wall insulation | €400 |
| Internal wall insulation (internal dry lining) | €2,500 |
| External wall insulation | €4,000 |
| High efficiency boiler with heating controls upgrade ** | €700 |
| Heating Controls Upgrade Only** | €500 |
| Building Energy Rating Assessment | €100 |
* Please note that while you are entitled to apply for each Measure there is a minimum requirement that the grant amount in the first application must be €500 or greater. The BER grant cannot form part of this €500 amount.
** 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.
A Building Energy Rating before and after carrying out your improvement works will show how the efficiency of your home has improved as a result of the works. In addition, the rating you commission after the works have been completed will remain valid for 10 years and be of use should you decide to sell the home in that time. Green Circle offers specially discounted prices for these ‘before and after’ ratings.
How much do the ‘before & after’ energy ratings cost?
| Price for two registered ratings | 1st instalment payable when booking first rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments (1 or 2 bed) | €239 | €139 |
| Apartment (3 bed) & houses (2 or 3 bed) | €259 | €159 |
| 4 bed houses | €269 | €169 |
| Larger homes | €283.69+€0.4/m2 | |
These prices are inclusive of SEAI registration charges of €25 per registration and VAT.
What are the next steps?
The initial steps are as follows:
- Read the ESB’s Halo initiative web site.
- Read SEAI’s Home Energy Savings Scheme website and that you arrange an initial BER assessment.
- Call Halo to arrange an energy audit. This is an advisory process designed to help you identify what needs to be done to make your home more efficient and to help you prepare to apply for SEAI grants.
- Apply for SEAI grants.
Then, when you are ready to get your initial energy rating carried out, call Green Circle on 902 3939 or order the rating online on our ‘home owner’s page. When you have implemented your energy saving improvements, call Green Circle again to get your second energy rating carried out.
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