Waterford Energy Bureau - Grants and Supports


Waterford Energy Bureau aims to help the general public and communities to reduce their energy consumption / costs and greenhouse emissions. There is a range of energy efficiency / renewable energy technology grants from Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the European Union, which includes:


SEAI Grants

Click on a grant below to jump to that section.

Better Energy Warmer Home Scheme ] Better Energy Homes ] Deep Retrofit Programme ] Community Grants ]

 


Home Grants

Energy Grants and Upgrades
As part of the National Climate Action Plan 2021, Ireland has set a target of upgrading 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or higher by 2030. To facilitate this transition over the next decade, the government has unveiled a new National Retrofitting Scheme . This is a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The total exchequer investment up until 2030 will be €8 billion.

  • Free Home Energy Upgrades

SEAI will deliver free home energy upgrades to homeowners who are in receipt of certain welfare payments.
As of 8th February 2022, the scheme will target the worst performing properties, by prioritizing that were built and occupied before 1993. They also must have a pre-works BER of E, F or G. Applicants who have previously availed of support schemes are eligible to apply again for even deeper retrofitting measures. The scheme is now also extended to cover those in receipt of disability allowance for over 6 months and who have a child under 7 years.
Upgrades offered

  • Attic insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • External wall insulation
  • Internal wall insulation
  • Secondary work such as lagging jackets, draught proofing and energy efficiency lighting
  • New heating systems and windows are occasionally recommended

Criteria

  • You must own and live in your own home
  • Your home was built and occupied before 2006
  • You receive one of the following welfare payments:
  • Fuel Allowance
  • Job Seekers Allowance for over 6 months
  • Working Family Payment
  • One-Parent Family Payment
  • Domiciliary Care Allowance 
  • Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for
  • Disability Allowance for over 6 months and have a child under 7 years of age

Funding
The scheme is co-founded by the Irish Government and the EU Regional Development Fund. Scheme and application guidelines are available here.

How to Apply

Free Energy Upgrades
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
PO BOX 119
Cahirciveen
Co. Kerry

Waiting Times
The application process is dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. Normal waiting times, from application to completion of works, are between 18-24 months. Current waiting times may vary. For further information please this section of the SEAI website.

  • Individual Energy Upgrade Grant

SEAI offers a range of energy upgrade grants that can be solely managed by the homeowner or landlord applying. An individual energy grant upgrade may be suitable for homeowners and landlords who want:

  • Individual energy upgrades
  • Management of their own project
  • To apply for the grant themselves
  • To pay for the full cost of works and apply for the grant afterwards

Grants Available


Grant Name

Description

Types of Home

Value

Attic Insulation

Often the most cost-effective way to upgrade a home

Apartment
Mid-Terrace
Semi-detached
Detached

€800
€1200
€1300
€1500

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity walls injected from the outside with insultation

Apartment
Mid-Terrace
Semi-detached
Detached

€700
€800
€1200
€1700

Internal Insulation

Insulation boards are fixed to the inside of the external walls

Apartment
Mid-Terrace
Semi-detached
Detached

€1500
€2000
€3500
€4500

External Wall Insulation

Insulating materials are fixed to the outer surface of the external walls

Apartment
Mid-Terrace
Semi-detached
Detached

€3000
€3500
€6000
€8000

Heating Controls Upgrade

 

 

€700

Heat Pump Systems

Extraction of heat from external sources to heat home interior

Apartment
Mid-Terrace
Semi-detached
Detached

€3500-6500 depending on dwelling and option chosen

Solar heating

 

 

€1200

Solar PV Grant

 

 

€900 per KWp up to 2KWp
€300 for every additional KWpup to 4KWp
Grant capped at €2400

Please note you must have grant approval in place before commencing works.

Property Eligibility Criteria

  • Home must be built and occupied before 2011 – for insulation and heating controls
  • Home must be built and occupied before 2021 – for heat pumps and renewable systems

Contractor Selection
If you are applying for the grant yourself and not using an energy partner (someone who will manage the grant application on your behalf), you must select a contractor. This contractor must be SEAI registered, be registered to undertake works being carried out and put a contract in place with you before work commences. 

For a step-by-step guide through the process and for further information, please see this section of the SEAI website.

  • One Stop Shop Service

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have announced their One Stop Shop service. This service will offer homeowners a no-nonsense, start-to-finish management service. This will include options on access to financing and the provision of reliable contractors to carry out the works.
Property Eligibility Criteria

  • Was built and occupied before 2011 for insulation, heating controls and renewable system grants
  • Has an existing BER of B3 or lower and must achieve a minimum rating of B2 on work completion, with a 100kWh/m2/year or better improvement on the BER primary energy value
  • Has not previously received grants for the same home energy upgrades

Grant amounts available for private homeowners


Grant Name

Grant Amount

Heat Pump Systems

€4500 – Apartment    
€6500 – All Houses

Central Heating System for Heat Pump

€1000 – Apartment    
€2000 – All Houses

Heat Pump Air to Air

€3500

Heating Controls

€700

Launch Bonus for reaching B2 with a heat Pump

€2000

Solar Hot Water

€1200

Attic Insulation

€800 – Apartment
€1200 – Mid-Terrace
€1300 – Semi-detached
€1500 - Detached

Rafter Insulation

€1500 – Apartment
€2000 – Mid-Terrace
€3000 – Semi-detached
€3000 - Detached

Cavity Wall Insulation

€700 – Apartment
€800 – Mid-Terrace
€1200 – Semi-detached
€1700 – Detached

Internal Insulation

€1500 – Apartment
€2000 – Mid-Terrace
€3500 – Semi-detached
€4500 - Detached

External Wall Insulation

€3000 – Apartment
€3500 – Mid-Terrace
€6000 – Semi-detached
€4500 - Detached

Windows (Complete Upgrade)

€1500 – Apartment
€1800 – Mid-Terrace
€3000 – Semi-detached
€4000 – Detached

External Doors (Max 2)

€800 per door

Floor Insulation

€3500

Solar PV

0 to 2 KWp €900/KWp, 2 to 4 KWp €300/KWp

Mechanical Ventilation

€1500

Air Tightness

€1500

Home Energy Assessment

€350

Project Management

€800 – Apartment, €1200 – Mid-Terrace, €1600 – Semi-detached, €2000 – Detached

For further information on how the process works and specific grant options available, please see this section of the SEAI website.


Community Grants

Each year, the SEAI offers supports to local community energy projects. This is done via capital funding, technical supports and partnerships. SEAI always ensures that each project it supports has clear community benefits. SEAI do not support projects with single elements, renewable elements only, auditing projects, (eg M&V requirements), or monitoring only projects. Homes constructed after 2011 cannot be included. 

Funding calls take place on an annual basis. It is important that applicants to calls familiarize themselves with the required criteria and guidelines. Please click here to view the 2022 guidelines.

To contact the SEAI about the scheme, please email bec@seai.ie or sec@seai.ie, or call 01 808 2162.


Business Grants

  • EXEED Grant Scheme

The EXEED Grant Scheme is designed for businesses who wish to engage in energy investment projects. Per project, grant support of up to €1 million is available. EXEED projects will place an emphasis on innovative designs to future proof investments and ensure optimal energy performance.

Who can apply?
The Scheme is open to any organisation looking to make an investment in an energy project.

How can I apply?
To go directly to the grant application form, please click here. For any additional information required, please see this section of the SEAI website.

  • Support Scheme for Renewable Heat

This support scheme is a government-funded initiative that is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, public sector, district heating and other non-commercial heat users.

Who can apply?
Those applying to the Scheme must satisfy the relevant eligibility criteria. This, along with other additional information, can be found here.

  • Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS)

In operation since 2014, the EEOS places obligations on energy suppliers to support energy efficiency projects in homes and businesses across Ireland. This is applicable to all energy types, including gas, oil, solid fuels and electricity. The Scheme has continued to evolve over the years and has now been updated to reflect 2030 national and European energy targets. SEAI is the administrator of this Scheme. For further information on this Scheme, please see this section of the SEAI website.

  • Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA)

The ACA is a tax incentive that is intended to encourage investment in energy efficient products and technology. It allows a sole trader, farmer or company paying corporation tax in Ireland to deduct the cost of energy-saving equipment from their profits in the year of purchase. For further information on ACA, please see this section of the SEAI website.

  • Energy Audit Support

Certain businesses may satisfy criteria for a €2000 voucher towards a professional energy audit. To see if your business is eligible and for all other relevant information, please see here.


4. Other Grants

Electric Vehicle Grants

The grant level applies to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) and it depends on the list price of the vehicle. To see the grants available for an EV click here.

5. Other SEAI Grants

It is advised to visit the SEAI Website to review what grants are available as new and additional grants maybe available, which are not detailed above.

6. European Union Grants

A lot of European programs are available for Energy Efficiency / Renewable Energy Technology project. They are listed below:

  • FREE – Future of Rural Energy in Europe
  • European Energy Program for Recovery
  • Connecting Europe Facility
  • Horizon 2020
  • Financing Energy Efficiency
  • Interreg Europ
  • Contact Waterford Energy Bureau

    058-21429
    info@waterfordenergy.ie

    • Waterford Energy Bureau, 4th Floor, Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford, X91 PK15.  [ view on a map ]