The Government has recently approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The key measures include:
- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently).
- One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- The grant available for an air to water heat pump installation has increased from €3,500 to €6,500. A grant of €4,500 is available for apartments.
- For homes undergoing a deeper energy upgrade on the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme or the Communities Energy Grant Scheme a bonus payment of €2,000 is available this year for those which achieve a post works BER of B2 or better and install a heat pump.
In addition, the year of construction has been amended to bring the relevant SEAI schemes into alignment:
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Old Rule
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New Rule
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Fabric measures and deep retrofits
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pre 2006
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pre 2011
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Heat Pumps/Solar Thermal (as individual measures)
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pre 2011
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pre 2021
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Heat pump systems are at their most efficient and effective when generating heat at a lower temperature. Poor insulation, draughts and single glazing will affect the performance of a heat pump system. On this basis, one of the requirements for a dwelling to qualify for an SEAI grant for a heat pump system is that the dwelling has low heat loss. Some homes will already meet this requirement and other homes can achieve it through a package of upgrades. Grants are available for measures that can help a home achieve the required heat loss indicator, such as roof, wall and floor insulation, and window and door replacements.
Heat pumps supported through SEAI grant programmes are required to meet minimum heat pump product performance standards, be designed and sized correctly to meet the heat loads for that specific home, that the home meets minimum energy performance and they are designed and installed by competent installers or personnel.
To avail of a grant the heat pumps must meet the requirements specified in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications which include:
- Meeting national requirements for domestic heating and building services and wiring regulations
- Fully comply with the EU Energy Label and Eco-design regulations
- Provide the data required for the Domestic BER assessment based on EN14825 and EN16147 testing standards
- Be CE marked and have the EC declaration of conformity
- Be listed on the SEAI Triple E register
- Satisfy the minimum Seasonal Performance Factor (Main Space Heating Efficiency) calculated according to the dwelling energy assessment procedure methodology
Heat pump systems must be installed by suitably qualified personnel. Personnel nominated to supervise and inspect the works, and to sign off the Declaration of Works must be competent in the different aspects of the works. This includes design, sizing and installation of the whole heat pump system. The minimum qualification and training requirements that must be met by personnel nominated to sign off the Declaration of Works for grant purposes are:
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Advanced Craft in Plumbing, including a module on minor electrical works, or equivalent
- Certificate of competence from the specific manufacturer of the heat pumps installed, based on an adequate training programme
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Heat Pump Systems (Course Code C30263) and supplemental Domestic Heat Pump Installation (Code 700606) or equivalent
A Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) is required to supervise and sign off the electrical installation of a heat pump system, in accordance with the definition of “Controlled Works and Restricted Works” by the CRU.
An F-Gas engineer is required to carry out and certify heat pump system installations involving refrigerant pipework and charging as per the F-Gas Regulation.
