Capturing air from outside the home and moving it to areas inside that need it most, heat pumps are a fantastic way to make your home warmer and more energy-efficient. Although the initial cost of a heat pump can be quite steep, which dissuades many Irish households from upgrading, heat pumps significantly reduce carbon emissions and are an excellent long-term investment. This is why the government offers incentives to encourage homes to make the switch. At Omnie, we have compiled everything you need to know about grants for heat pumps in Ireland in this handy article.
Heat pumps are an eco-friendly heating solution that can significantly lower your energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. However, for optimal performance, your home must be well insulated to benefit fully from a heat pump.
The SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) grant covers various heat pump systems and, where necessary, includes a grant for a technical assessment. These grants are available only for first-time installations and not for replacing existing heat pump systems.
The SEAI heat pump grant offers up to €6,500 for houses and up to €4,500 for apartments. Additionally, you can claim €200 towards the required technical assessment. This support was increased in 2022 to accommodate rising heat pump costs.
Homeowners, including private landlords, with homes built and occupied before 2021 are eligible to apply. The eligibility is based on the installation date of your electricity meter, differing from other grants that require homes to be built before 2011.
To qualify, your home must have low heat loss to ensure the heat pump system works efficiently and keeps electricity bills manageable.
* For homes built before 2007: A technical assessment is mandatory.
* For homes built from 2007 onwards: A Self-Declaration form or a completed Technical Assessment must be submitted during the application.
Begin with a technical assessment to determine your home's suitability for a heat pump and to get an energy report specifying the necessary pump size.
Select a contractor registered with SEAI to carry out the installation.
You can apply online, by post, or through an energy partner. Ensure you have your property’s MPRN number and the chosen contractor’s name and ID number.
After receiving grant approval, you have 8 months to complete the installation and submit the required paperwork to SEAI. Expect to receive the payment within 4 to 6 weeks after submission.