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FAQs

Discover the difference between a home retrofit and home renovation, as well as what a deep retrofit involves, how much it might cost, and ways of recouping your outlay.

A retrofit is a comprehensive upgrade of a home with all the key measures required to optimise energy efficiency. Typically, this includes thorough insulation of the attic, walls and other draught-prone areas (such as windows), the installation of a heat pump or a modern boiler upgrade and, if practical, the use of solar PV panels

### 1 What's the difference between a shallow and deep retrofit?
A deep retrofit means doing everything possible to upgrade your energy efficiency. This is usually a once-in-a-lifetime investment and one in which all the major work is carried out during a short period. This is obviously a big commitment but the pay-off in terms of reduced energy bills, adding value to your property and creating a more comfortable lifestyle is significant. Deep retrofits also make a huge contribution to tackling climate change.

A ‘shallow retrofit’ is the name sometimes given to a more common option. This means taking the initiative to upgrade your energy efficiency, perhaps over quite a long time, step by step. You might improve your insulation, then upgrade your boiler, then maybe enhance your heating controls. Clearly, this is a more cautious and budget-friendly approach that will continue to suit many homeowners.

### 2 What does a deep retrofit involve?
A deep retrofit of requires whatever energy upgrades are required to achieve a BER A-rating. Typical steps are as follows:

- Reduce heat loss through insulating your roof, attic, walls, floor and windows.
- Create effective ventilation to maintain good air quality.
- Invest in an efficient renewable heating system such as an air-source heat pump.
- If practical, incorporate other renewables options such as solar water heating panels and solar PV panels.

### 3 How much does a deep retrofit cost?
The costs obviously vary hugely depending on the size of your home and the extent of the work required. But as a very rough ballpark, an average-sized house requiring a lot of improvements might cost around €50,000 to deep retrofit. However, you may qualify for government grants for around 30% of that, and low-interest green loans are available to help with cashflow. Also, over the long term, you will make big savings on your energy bills, while adding significantly to the value of your property.

While retrofits relate only to energy efficiency improvements, home renovation covers any work you might undertake to enhance your property – anything from painting a room to building an extension. The sort of grants available for retrofits are not available for general renovations but you may be able to claim tax relief (see 2.1).

### 1 What is the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI)?
Few people carry out a deep retrofit without making additional renovations to their home, and that’s where the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) can be very helpful. Available to homeowners and landlords, as well local authority tenants, HRI allows you to claim tax credits for home improvements. This includes painting and decorating, plumbing, bathrooms, fitted kitchens, windows, extensions and attic conversions. It also includes insulation, although the amount that you can claim will be reduced if you have also claimed an SEAI insurance grant. Find out more [here](https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/home-renovation-incentive/hri-for-homeowners-and-landlords/what-type-of-work-qualifies-under-hri.aspx).

Retrofit or renovation?

Discover what a BER is, why you need one, how to improve your rating and how to get a certificate.

In Ireland, BER stands for Building Energy Rating. It is a certification for the rating given to your home calculated on the energy efficiency of your home. The scale is A to G, with A1 being the highest, most energy-efficient rating. A BER certificate is compulsory for all homes available for rent or sale.

### 1 What is BER based on?
Your BER is based purely on the energy efficiency of your home, including factors such as insulation and how your home and water are heated. It does not take into account your own sustainable practices, such as recycling. 

### 2 Why is my BER important?
A BER provides you with an accurate measure of how energy efficient your home is. The lower the rating, the more likely you are to waste money on high energy bills. The higher the rating, the cleaner, safer and more comfortable your home is likely to be – as well as costing much less to heat. A high BER also adds value to your property – and it’s a legal requirement if you’re selling or renting.

To start with, you can use this [free BERWOW calculator](/discover-your-options) to estimate your home's BER rating. It will give you a clear picture of the energy efficiency of your home, and the improvements you could make.

### 1 What is BERWOW?
BERWOW is a cloud-based technology platform developed to provide retrofit dashboards and calculators to homeowners. It uses BER/ EPC certificate data to produce a list of energy upgrades options for houses and apartments. You can use [BERWOW](/discover-your-options) to get your free BER rating and recommendations.

### 2 What's a good BER rating?
An A-rated home is the most energy efficient, whereas G-rated homes are the least energy efficient. The higher your BER, the better your home conserves heat and the less you will have to pay in energy bills.

### 3 How can I improve my BER?
The main options for a better BER are as follows:
- Improve your insulation
- Install solar panels
- Upgrade your boiler
- Install a heat pump
- Opt for a ‘deep retrofit’, covering all of the above


To obtain a certificate, you need a BER assessment carried out by an independent registered assessor. You can find your local BER assessors through the [SEAI National Register of BER Assessors](https://ndber.seai.ie/PASS/Assessors/Search.aspx). It’s a good idea to contact three for a quote to help you get a good deal.

### 1 Do I need a BER certificate?
Yes – particularly if you’re planning on selling or renting. Since 2009, a BER certificate has become compulsory for all homes (and commercial properties) being sold or rented, regardless of the age of the building.

### 2 Are any buildings exempt from BER requirements?
The following buildings are exempt from requiring BER Certificates:
•Protected structures
•National monuments
•Places of worship
•Non-residential agricultural buildings
•Standalone buildings with total floor area less than 50 sq/m
•Industrial buildings with an installed heat capacity that does not exceed 10W/m2

### 3 How long is a BER certificate valid for?
Your BER certificate is valid for 10 years, unless you make changes that impact your home’s energy performance, such as adding solar panels, or upgrading doors and windows – in which case you can apply for an improved rating.

### 4 Is there a grant for a BER assessment?
No, but costs are minimal and can be supported by the [home energy grants](https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/) offered by the SEAI.

Discover what a BER is, why you need one, how to improve your rating and how to get a certificate. 

What is a Building Energy Rating (BER) and why do I need one?

Discover which grants are available for which types of home improvement, how much you might be able to claim, and how to apply.

Grants for energy-efficient home improvements are available in Ireland through the government-funded SEAI. With mounting pressure to tackle climate change, the Government is keen to encourage homeowners to reduce carbon emissions and, as a result, the grants have become increasingly generous. For example, grants of up to €8,000 are available to homeowners wishing to improve insulation. The amount you can claim depends upon the size of your property and your overall outlay – the grants are only intended to cover a proportion of your spending. However, homeowners living on islands that are not connected by bridge to the mainland may be entitled to 50% higher grants. And wherever you live, if you receive welfare payments, you may be eligible for a Fully Funded Energy Upgrade (see 1.4).

### 1 What are Individual Energy Upgrade Grants?

Individual Energy Upgrade Grants apply to individual home improvement projects that will improve energy efficiency. There are grants available to help fund the following:

- Attic insulation
- Wall insulation
- Heating controls
- Heat pumps
- Solar water heating
- Solar PV panels

In order to qualify, you must be a landlord or homeowner and your home must have been built or occupied before 2011 (or before 2021 in the case of heat pumps). However, the SEAI may also deem that some houses built before 1940 are ineligible. You must also ensure that your grant claim is approved before commencing work, manage the project yourself and payfor the full cost of the work. The grant then follows 4-6 weeks afterwards. Alternatively, you can apply for the grant via the contractor that is going to carry the work out (see 1.2).

### 2 Can the company carrying out my home improvements apply for the grant on my behalf?
Yes. Go Green partners can apply for Individual Energy Upgrade Grants on your behalf. It’s a process they are used to managing and it can save you time and hassle. The grant goes directly to them and is then passed on to you as a discount on your final bill. There may be a small charge for this service.

### 3 What is the SEAI One Stop Shop Service?
The SEAI also has a directory of ‘one-stop’ contractors who can provide a wide package of energy upgrades and manage the process (and the grant applications) for you. A broader range of grants is available if you take this route, and the grant value is simply deducted from the total cost of works. However, to be eligible, you must be looking to make what the SEAI describes as “substantial energy upgrades to your home... perhaps costing in the range €30,000-€60,000”. You must also be committed to attaining a minimum BER of B2.

### 4 What are Fully Funded Energy Upgrades?
For those who qualify, this is a fully funded and managed service to upgrade your home. It can include attic insulation, wall insulation (cavity, external and internal), secondary work such as lagging jackets, draught proofing and energy-efficient lighting, plus (occasionally) new heating systems and windows.The service is open to homeowners whose home was built and occupied before 2006. However, homes built and occupied before 1993 with an existing BER of E-G are currently being prioritised. Also, to qualify you must receive one of the following welfare payments: Fuel Allowance (as part of the National Fuel Scheme), Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Carers Allowance (and live with the person you are caring for) or Disability Allowance (for over six months and have a child under seven years of age).

There is a huge variety in the sums that you can apply for – see the [SEAI website](https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/) for full details (and terms & conditions). If your property has already been the subject of an energy improvement grant, you may not be eligible.

Here are some examples of what is available. Attic insulation ranges from €800 for an apartment to €1,500 for a detached house. 

Solar PV grants are awarded according to the kWp of the system that you install. kWp means ‘kilowatt peak’ and specifies the amount of kilowatts that will be generated when the panel is working at maximum capacity. You can currently claim €700 per kWp up to 2kWp, then €200 for every additional kWp up to 4kWp. The total Solar PV grant is capped at €1,800.

Grants for heat pumps vary according to the type of pump and the size of property. The funds available range from £3,500 to £6,500.

Fixed grants are available for solar water heating (€1,200) and heating control upgrades (€700).

If you’re carrying out insulation work, you may also be able to apply for tax relief on costs not covered by the grant. Find out more [here](https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/home-renovation-incentive/hri-for-homeowners-and-landlords/what-type-of-work-qualifies-under-hri.aspx).

If you decide to manage your own home energy upgrade, you can apply for grants directly through the [SEAI website](https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/) or by [post](https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/#comp0000612dd4d400000043c0065e). As covered in 1.2, you can also arrange for your works contractor to apply for the grant on your behalf.If you choose to apply via the SEAI website, these are the steps you will go through. It’s a relatively simple process.

### 1 Choose your options
Decide which energy upgrades and grants you want to apply for. If grants have previously been granted to your property, you may not eligible. If you are unsure, you can check by calling the SEAI helpdesk on 01808 2004. You will need to provide your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) – an 11-digit number found in the top-right-hand corner of your electricity bill. At this stage, you should also carry out a BER assessment and use the Advisory Report attached to the BER report as the energy upgrade plan for your home.

### 2 Select your contractor
Your contractor must be SEAI-registered (which all Go Green partners are) – but also ensure they are registered for the specific service you require of them. Check out the Go Green [partner directory](/find-your-partner). You must have a contract in place before advancing with the application.

### 3 Submit your grant application
Again, you will need your MPRN number and the name of your contractor. According to the SEAI website, you will be approved (or otherwise) “in minutes”. If you apply by post, you should receive an offer within five working days. Either way, you then have 30 days to accept the offer. You must do this before commencing the work.

### 4 Get the work done
You have eight months from the date of the grant offer to get the work completed by your designated SEAI-registered contractor and complete the paperwork. Within this period, you must also pay the contractor or have a financial agreement in place, as well as arranging for a registered BER Assessor to complete your post-works assessment and publish your certification.

### 5 Request payment
You will receive a form in the post called a Declaration Of Works – one for each energy grant you’re claiming. This needs to be completed by yourself, your contractor and the BER Assessor. You also need to complete a Request for Payment form. Alternatively, these forms can now be completed online. In some cases, the SEAI may check that the specified work has been carried out correctly. Payments are generally provided 4-6 weeks after application.

FAQs

Need a clearer steer on some of the issues we’ve covered? Our answers to your frequently asked questions can help…

Retrofit or renovation?

What is a Building Energy Rating (BER) and why do I need one?

What grants are available to help you with energy efficiency home improvements?