In this blog, we'll explore various aspects of home retrofitting, from the benefits and costs to the different types of upgrades you can make. We'll also provide tips and resources to help you get started with your own retrofitting project.

Go Green Blog

The government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are expected to release long awaited details of low interest loans for home energy upgrades early in 2024.

These loans, backed by a €500 million scheme will encourage homeowners to invest in the energy efficiency of their homes allowing for borrowing from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for up to 10 years. Importantly, these loans will carry interest rates that are “significantly lower than those currently available on the market as a result of the combination of the EIB group loan guarantee and a government-funded interest rate subsidy.” Source: [government press release](https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e48f2-government-and-eib-group-confirm-support-for-new-low-cost-home-energy-upgrade-loan-scheme/).   

The loans will be available for energy upgrades that are being grant-aided by the SEAI, with full details of the application process being made available early this year.

Use our [Energy Upgrade Calculator](/discover-your-options) to see specific recommendations and estimated prices for changes to your home.


With reports that domestic users are installing an average of 500 solar PV systems a week, there’s no expectation of a slowdown during 2024. The growing popularity of domestic solar panels has been aided by a number of developments over recent years including the introduction of planning exemptions in 2022 that removed the need for planning permission for rooftop solar panels. A further boost came during 2023 when the VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels for private homes was reduced to zero. This has been reported to provide savings of around €1,000 on a typical install, making solar PV more attractive than ever for Irish home owners.

Check out our [solar partners](/find-your-partner) and get started on your solar PV journey today


Solar panel roof

2023 was a bumper year for home retrofit measures across Ireland, with the SEAI in September reporting the completion of over 22,000 home energy upgrades, including an increase in Solar PV installations of more than 230% above 2022 levels.

2024 promises to be another busy year on the home retrofit front in Ireland. Here are a couple of developments to look out for during the year.

Home retrofit in Ireland – what to look out for in 2024

There are retrofit measures to suit most budgets, ranging in price and in how much impact they may have on your home. Here are some of the most effective changes you can make.

## Insulation
Adding insulation to your walls, attic, and floors can help reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, making your home more energy-efficient.

The attic is often a great place to start as it's generally accessible, frequently under-insulated and highly cost effective to insulate. Of course the attic is just one part of the home that needs insulation, so we've written about your options and available grants in greater detail in our [Build Your Knowledge](/build-your-knowledge/insulation) section.

## Air sealing
Sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other openings in your home can help prevent air leaks and reduce energy loss. By improving the airtightness of your home you can protect against unwanted movement of warm air out and cold air in to the house, allowing your heating to work more efficiently so that energy bills can be kept in check. What to find out more? [Our partner snughome.ie](/find-your-partner) specialise in home assessments and can use their specialised thermal imaging equipment to tell you exactly where you are losing heat, and provide impartial advice on how to remedy any issues found.

## Upgrading windows and doors
Installing energy-efficient windows and doors can help reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Up to 20% of home heating costs can be determined by your windows and doors, so you'll get a comfort boost and energy saving from investing in modern glazing and doors. You may also increase the security of the home along with the visual appeal that comes with a refreshed appearance.

## Upgrading lighting
Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting can help reduce electricity consumption and lower your energy bills. LED bulbs do cost a little more to buy up front, but they are longer lasting and use up to 85% less electricity than traditional bulbs.

## Upgrading appliances
Replacing older appliances with energy-efficient models can help reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills.


![Installing solar panels](//images.ctfassets.net/89hyykg9xoug/59nxkUlO3LZ9t428fb1NZ7/d1aede69488d3ce906152a3076ad13af/iStock-114338017.jpg)
## Upgrading heating and ventilation systems
Upgrading your heating and ventilation systems to more energy-efficient models can help reduce energy consumption and lower your energy bills. From switching to a more [efficient boiler](/build-your-knowledge/boiler-upgrade) to moving to a [heatpump](/build-your-knowledge/heat-pump), upgrading your heating system can have a huge impact on your home comfort and your bills.

## Installing renewable energy systems 
Installing [solar panels](/build-your-knowledge/solar-pv-panels) or other renewable energy systems can help generate electricity and reduce your reliance on grid electricity.

If you have a roof with suitable sun exposure, ideally south facing, you can join the increasing number of Irish homeowners who are harvesting the sun's rays every day in order to contribute towards the energy needs of their homes. With generous grants available solar power brings a range of benefits - reduced bills, clean renewable energy and a low maintenance system that should provide energy long after it has paid for itself.

Go Green have a range of highly rated trusted partners who operate nationwide and can [design and install a solar system](/find-your-partner) for you, as well as advising you on the maintenance of existing systems.

## Assess the needs of your home
The effectiveness of these measures may vary depending on your home's construction, age, and location. 

Go Green have a [quick and easy calculator](/discover-your-options) you can use to get an idea of what changes your home might require. The tool has profiles of all the home types found in Ireland and can give you an indication of where to start.

Want to know for sure? A [home assessment from Snuhghome.ie](/find-your-partner) can provide you with expert advice on which measures are most effective for your home.

Considering options in a retrofit ready home

Where should you home retrofit journey start? 

It may be that you already have an idea of what needs to be improved in your home, but if you're not so sure read on to find out some of the measures you might consider to make your home more energy efficient and easier to heat.

With an ever increasing focus on sustainability and reducing our energy bills, home retrofit work is becoming more popular among Irish home owners.

There are a wide range of options available and the government are providing grants that can help to offset the costs. Read on to learn more about the measures you can take and how you can make an informed decision on how to start the journey to a greener home.

Home retrofit - where to start

If you are looking to do a major retrofit on your home, this is known as a deep retrofit. 

A deep retrofit is a comprehensive approach to improving the home to make it more energy-efficient, comfortable and healthy to live in. It may involve making significant changes to the building's insulation, windows and doors as well as the heating system, ventilation, appliances and lighting.

Frequently deep retrofits are undertaken when someone has purchased a 'fixer-upper' or as part of a major piece of work such as the building of an extension.

If this sounds like you, you may consider using the services of a ‘One Stop Shop’. One Stop Shops are SEAI approved outfits who can manage all the services you need for a complete overhaul of your home.

Registered with the SEAI, these operators will manage the entire retrofit process for you from start to finish.

There are several benefits to the One Stop Shop approach:
- You’ll have one point of contact, rather than having to source and deal with multiple service providers yourself.
- By providing a project management service, you’re less likely to be faced with difficult questions and decisions that you may not have the expertise to answer
- You will have a plan that is tailored to the needs of your home, once again saving you from having to educate yourself about the best approach to take.
- The grant amount, once approved, is deducted from the cost of the work upfront. Given that the grants can be quite considerable, this can save you from having to pay out a significant sum of money.

Using a One Stop Shop will mean that you get a fully managed service, arranging all the work required for your home as well as conducting a detailed home energy assessment to determine your precise needs, apply for the grants and organising the final BER assessment to demonstrate that your home now meets the required B2 standard.

__Anything else to consider?__
It’s worth keeping in mind that a deep retrofit will result in significant disruption to your home over the duration of the work which could take many weeks or months. 
It’s also going to cost a good deal due to the extent of the work being done. Even with generous grants you’ll need to allow for costs of between €30,000 and €70,000.
![Attic Insulation](//images.ctfassets.net/89hyykg9xoug/6QiA9u9JvsrA2OuzEVhgjx/a1c4aa0d6feb548cfdb5f931aba9bf8c/iStock-1079093642.jpg)

If you don’t need an extensive range of home energy upgrades, or you don’t wish to get all the work done at once you may choose to get changes done one by one. There are a [range of grants](/build-your-knowledge/grants) available to homeowners covering changes from attic and wall insulation through to the installation of heat pumps.

Going this route means you will apply for the grant yourself as well as selecting a contractor to do the work. 

You’ll find details of the grants that are available, and you can [use our calculator](/discover-your-options) to get an idea of the type of work your home might require.

Finally, get in touch with one of [our trusted partners](/find-your-partner) to find out how they can help you upgrade your home.


External Wall Insulation

If you are interested in improving the energy performance and comfort of your home, there are two key approaches you can take, depending on your budget and the range of work required.

If you need to make sweeping changes to your home involving several upgrade measures, you may be looking at a __deep retrofit__. On the other hand, if you just need one or two things done, or you don’t want to do all the work at once, you can look at getting individual retrofit measures completed over a period of time.


Helping you choose between a deep retrofit and individual measures to upgrade your home

Deep retrofit or individual measures, which to choose?

An air-source heat pump is the most commonly used type of heat pump in Ireland. Such a pump operates by taking heat from the air (yes, even cool Irish air) and transferring it indoors. 

There are also ground and water source heat pumps that gather their heat from the earth around a property or a nearby source of water, but these are less commonly found in Ireland.

Yes, they do. Even in Ireland where it can be cool outdoors for prolonged periods of the year, there is always some heat energy to be obtained and efficiently converted by the heat pump into warm air to heat your home.

We've described [how heat pumps work](/build-your-knowledge/heat-pump#how-does-the-pump-work) in our main piece which you can find in the Build Your Knowledge section of the site, along with lots of other information.

Your heat pump provider will assess your home to determine the best option for you.

Factors taken into account will include: 
- the size of the space to be heated
- the age of your home and the existing heating setup
- whether you have any additional requirements, such as advanced air filtration
- your budget. 


Your heat pump provider will do a thorough check on your home to ensure it is suitable for a heat pump, but chances are that you will need to have a good level of insulation in place in order to get the best from the device.


Regularly maintaining your heat pump can help it operate efficiently and extend its lifespan. Check and clean the filters monthly, and have a professional perform a full maintenance check-up every year.

Set your heat pump thermostat at a comfortable temperature and leave it at that temperature. Constantly adjusting the thermostat can cause your heat pump to work harder and use more energy. So, keep in mind that a heat pump works by keeping your well insulated home at a steady comfortable temperature, rather than introducing bursts of heat at particular times of the day.

With that, be patient. As heat pumps work differently than the traditional boiler you may be used to, don't expect to feel the warming impact of the heat pump right away. It may take a little time for the system to reach the desired temperature, especially on colder days.

Heat pump beside a house

A heat pump warms and cools your home, working like both a boiler and an air conditioning unit. Since they take in and distribute ambient heat instead of consuming fuel to create it, heat pumps are astoundingly energy-effective when contrasted with other common heating sources. They're powered by electricity, are generally straightforward to introduce in many homes, and may ultimately save you money on your home heating costs.

Go Green take a look at what you should look for when selecting a heat pump

What to look for in a heat pump

1. Better indoor air quality: Insulation helps to prevent air leaks that can allow pollutants, allergens, and other harmful particles to enter your home, leading to poor indoor air quality. A well-insulated home can help maintain cleaner, healthier air, which can benefit people with respiratory problems.

2. Reduced noise pollution: Insulation can also act as a sound barrier, reducing noise pollution from outside your home. This can be particularly helpful if you live in a built-up area or near a busy road.

3. Lower energy bills: Insulation helps to keep your home at a comfortable temperature by preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the ever-warmer Irish summer. This means that you'll need less energy to heat your home, resulting in lower energy bills. Yes, this is hardly unexpected, but it's still very satisfying when you see a noticeable difference in your bills.

4. Increased home value: A well-insulated home can be a significant selling point, as it demonstrates energy efficiency and can help potential buyers save money on energy bills. Insulation can also make your home more attractive to buyers by improving comfort, reducing noise, and enhancing indoor air quality.

5. Better environmental impact: A well-insulated home can also be beneficial for the environment, as it reduces your carbon footprint by lowering your energy usage. By using less energy to heat your home, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to fight climate change.

We've got more information in the Build your Knowledge section about [home insulation](/build-your-knowledge/insulation).


Family in a warm home

From talking to customers who have had their homes retrofitted, Go Green know that some of the improvements may be less obvious than just having a warmer space or  reduced heating bills. Here's a quick run down of some of the less frequently mentioned benefits of living in a thoroughly insulated home.


Benefitting from reduced energy bills is a common expectation for an insulated home, but not all of the positives are quite as obvious.

Go Green Blog

Home retrofit in Ireland – what to look out for in 2024

Home retrofit - where to start

Deep retrofit or individual measures, which to choose?

What to look for in a heat pump

Five unexpected benefits of having a well-insulated home