You qualify for an SEAI grant if you own a home built before the relevant cut-off year, use a registered contractor, and have not already claimed that specific measure for the property. The cut-off is 2011 for most measures and 2021 for heat pumps, solar PV and EV chargers. Below we break down each rule.
The home-age rule: 2011 vs 2021
SEAI sets a “built and occupied before” date for each grant. The logic is that newer homes were already built to higher energy standards, so older homes get priority for support.
| Measure | Home must be built/occupied before |
|---|---|
| Attic & wall insulation | 2011 |
| Heating controls | 2011 |
| Windows & external doors | 2011 |
| Heat pump | 2021 |
| Solar PV | 2021 |
| EV home charger | 2021 |
The 2011 cut-off applies to fabric upgrades, where older homes typically have the most to gain. The 2021 cut-off is more generous and applies to newer technologies like heat pumps and solar PV, because even relatively recent homes can still benefit from adding them.
If you are unsure of your home’s exact age, your BER cert or property records will confirm it.
Ownership
You must own the property to apply for an individual grant. Owner-occupiers and landlords both qualify. The grant is paid to the applicant, so the application should be in the owner’s name.
One grant per measure, per home
Each specific measure can be claimed only once for a given home. So you cannot claim the attic insulation grant twice, even if you re-insulate years later.
You can, however, combine different measures over time. A common path is:
- Attic and wall insulation
- Heating controls
- A heat pump once the fabric is improved
Each is a separate grant with its own rules.
Landlords and rented homes
Landlords can apply for individual energy upgrade grants on rented properties. The same age, ownership and contractor rules apply. Improving a rental’s BER can also help meet minimum rental standards.
The BER requirement
A Building Energy Rating is central to eligibility and claims. For most individual grants you need a post-works BER to prove the upgrade improved your home’s energy performance. Some measures, such as a heat pump, also need an upfront technical assessment.
SEAI supports the standalone rating with the BER assessment grant of €50 ( Source: SEAI, 12 June 2026 ). Read more on our BER ratings page.
Registered contractors
Whoever installs the measure must be on SEAI’s registered contractor list. This is non-negotiable: work done by an unregistered installer cannot be grant-aided.
If you can’t afford the upfront cost
The individual grant route means you pay the contractor first and claim back afterwards. If that is not feasible, you may qualify for the fully funded route instead. The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades to eligible lower-income households, with no upfront cost and no grant to claim back.
Quick eligibility checklist
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Home age | Before 2011 (or 2021 for heat pump / solar / EV) |
| Ownership | You own the home (owner-occupier or landlord) |
| Measure history | Not already claimed for this home |
| Contractor | SEAI-registered |
| BER | Post-works BER for most measures |
Check your eligibility
Eligibility varies by measure, so the fastest way to know what you can claim is to run your details through our checker.