A Comprehensive Guide to Home Improvement Grants in Ireland

Are you planning to build, renovate, or upgrade your home, but worried about the costs involved? 

In Ireland, there are numerous grants available that can help cover expenses for making your home warmer, repairing old buildings, or even installing solar panels on your roof. These grants aim to enhance home quality and energy efficiency, offering significant financial relief. 

In this blog, we'll explore all the different grants you can apply for, helping you find the ones that best suit your home improvement projects. So, let's discover how you can make your next project more affordable with these valuable grants!

Vacant Home Refurbishment Grant

The Vacant Home Refurbishment Grant in Ireland is a financial incentive designed to encourage the refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. Homeowners can receive up to €50,000 to transform a vacant house into their permanent residence or a rental property. This initiative aims to address housing shortages and revitalise communities by bringing empty properties back into use.

For properties that are not just vacant but also derelict, an additional Derelict Property Top-up Grant is available. This top-up can reach up to €20,000, bringing the total potential grant to €70,000 for properties that are structurally unsound and dangerous. To qualify for this top-up, homeowners must provide an independent report confirming the property’s derelict status.

Administered by local authorities, the grant prioritises applications in areas with high levels of vacancy or dereliction. Eligible properties must have been vacant for at least two years and built on or before 2007. Homeowners must either live in the refurbished property or make it available for rent, contributing to the local housing supply.

House Insulation Grants

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a range of insulation grants to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These grants cover attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, internal insulation (dry lining), and external wall insulation (the wrap), making homes more comfortable and reducing heating bills.

Eligibility for these grants is generally open to all homeowners, including landlords, whose homes were built and occupied before 2011. The grant values vary depending on the type of home and the insulation upgrade being undertaken.

Here’s a table summarising the grant values for different types of insulation:

These grants are a key step in making your home more energy-efficient and can significantly reduce heat loss and heating bills.

Traditional Farm Buildings Grant

The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant is a scheme managed by the Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It aims to conserve and repair traditional farm buildings and related structures that are of significant heritage value and contribute to the character of the landscape.

In 2024, the scheme offered grants ranging from €4,000 to €30,000, covering up to 75% of the cost of the conservation work. This work includes repairs to roofs, walls, structural repairs, windows, and doors, as well as other related farm structures like historic yard surfaces, walls, gate pillars, and gates.

Eligibility for the grant was restricted to farmers participating in certain agricultural schemes, such as ACRES, EIP projects, and the Organic Farming Scheme. The process is highly competitive, and it is expected that 70–80 projects will be supported each year. The scheme closed for applications on March 27, 2024, with applicants being informed of the outcome in May 2024.

Grants for Windows And Doors in Ireland

In Ireland, homeowners can access several grants for upgrading their windows and doors to more energy-efficient models. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers two main schemes: the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS). These grants aim to improve home energy efficiency, leading to reduced energy bills and a more comfortable living environment.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides free replacement windows for eligible individuals, particularly those in less energy-efficient homes or receiving certain welfare benefits. This scheme prioritises homes built before 1993 with a Building Energy Rating (BER) of E or lower, ensuring that the most vulnerable homes receive necessary upgrades.

The EEOS, on the other hand, mandates larger energy suppliers to support homeowners in energy efficiency projects, including full window and door replacements. This scheme is part of a broader effort to meet national energy saving targets and to promote sustainable living among Irish households. Homeowners can apply for these grants to enhance their property’s energy performance and contribute to environmental conservation efforts.

Residential Solar PV Grant

The Residential Solar PV Grant in Ireland provides homeowners, including landlords, with financial support to install solar photovoltaic panels. This grant is designed to promote the generation of renewable electricity and support the national transition to a low-carbon, sustainable energy system. 

Homeowners can receive up to €800 per kWp for the first 2kWp and an additional €250 for every kWp up to 4kWp, with the total grant capped at €2,100.

Here’s a table summarising the grant values for solar PV systems:

These grants make it more affordable for homeowners to invest in solar technology, reducing their energy bills and contributing to environmental sustainability.

Commercial Solar PV Grant

The Commercial Solar PV Grant is part of the SEAI’s Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme, offering financial support to businesses, farms, schools, community centres, and non-profit organisations for installing solar PV systems. 

The grant aims to reduce electricity costs, increase energy security, and support sustainability efforts. Businesses can receive a government grant of up to €162,600 for systems up to a maximum of 1000kWp.

Here’s a table summarising the grant values for different sizes of solar PV systems:

This grant is a significant step towards promoting renewable energy sources within the commercial sector, making solar PV systems more accessible and affordable.

Solar Panel Farm Grants

The TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme is a significant initiative under Ireland’s Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3). It provides a substantial financial incentive for farmers to invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their agricultural holdings. The scheme aims to reduce the agricultural sector’s dependence on fossil fuels, promoting a shift towards renewable energy sources.

Under this scheme, farmers can receive grants covering up to 60% of the cost for solar investments, with a maximum investment ceiling of €90,000. This generous grant rate makes it more feasible for farmers to adopt solar technology, thereby reducing their energy bills and enhancing the sustainability of their farming operations.

Applications for the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme can be made through the farmers’ agfood account, reflecting the government’s commitment to streamlining the process. The scheme is part of a broader effort to modernise Irish farms and equip them with the necessary infrastructure to become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Energy Upgrade Grants

The Energy Upgrade Grants in Ireland are designed to support homeowners in enhancing the energy efficiency of their homes. These grants are part of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and aim to improve the warmth and comfort of properties while reducing energy costs.

These grants support a range of upgrades, from insulation to heating systems, helping homeowners achieve a B2 BER rating or better. The grant amounts vary, providing substantial financial assistance to cover a portion of the upgrade costs.

Here’s a table summarising the grant amounts for various energy upgrades under the scheme:

These grants are designed to make energy upgrades more accessible and affordable for homeowners, contributing to Ireland’s green transition.

Deep Retrofit Grants

The Deep Retrofit Grant is a significant part of Ireland’s National Retrofitting Scheme, designed to support homeowners in upgrading their homes to a B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard. This scheme is a response to the urgent need for energy efficiency improvements in the residential sector, contributing to the national goal of 500,000 home energy upgrades by 2030.

Under this scheme, homeowners can avail of increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit, which includes the installation of a heat pump. This substantial support makes it more feasible for individuals to undertake comprehensive energy upgrades, leading to warmer, healthier, and more comfortable homes with lower energy bills.

The scheme also introduces a hassle-free approach to home energy upgrades through One-Stop-Shops. These entities provide an end-to-end service, including surveying, designing the upgrades, managing the grant process, helping with access to finance, engaging contractors, and quality assuring the work. This streamlined process aims to remove barriers to retrofitting and encourage more homeowners to participate in the scheme.

Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People

The Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People in Ireland is designed to assist the elderly in living comfortably and safely in their own homes. This grant helps cover the cost of necessary repairs or improvements, such as structural repairs, re-wiring, and the provision of water and sanitary services. The scheme aims to improve the condition of an older person’s home, ensuring it is suitable for their needs.

The maximum grant available under this scheme is €8,000, which may cover up to 95% of the approved cost of works. The grant is means-tested, and the amount awarded depends on the applicant’s household income, with priority given to lower-income households.

Administered by local authorities, the Housing Aid for Older People Grant is part of a suite of adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability. These grants are crucial in supporting the elderly to maintain independence and continue living in their own communities.

Conclusion

In Ireland, the diversity of home improvement grants offers a golden opportunity for homeowners to enhance their living spaces, increase energy efficiency, and preserve the heritage of traditional structures. 

From the warmth of a well-insulated home to the sustainable power of solar panels, these grants not only improve individual households but also contribute to the nation’s environmental goals. Understanding the grant application process can be complex, but it’s an experience worth taking for the substantial benefits it brings.

If you’re considering any home improvement projects and are interested in taking advantage of these grants, BuildTech is your go-to expert. With our comprehensive knowledge and experience in grant applications, we can guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and successful process. 

Contact BuildTech today, and let’s transform your home for better energy-efficiency and savings.