The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance. The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from circa 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump. Homes upgraded under the scheme must reach a post works BER rating of B2 or better and all homes must deliver a minimum primary energy uplift of at least 100 kWh/m2/year. As such it is expected that homeowners will typically complete a deeper whole home energy upgrade of the overall fabric of the property.
When a homeowner is completing a whole home energy upgrade, the overall fabric of the building is assessed through the home energy survey and assessment. The assessment may recommend a range of upgrade measures to ensure that the home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump.
For this reason, it is necessary to provide a wider range of grant supports for measures compared to the current offerings under other SEAI Energy Upgrade Schemes. Under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, grants are available for Home Energy Assessments; Heat Pumps; Wall and Roof Insulation; Solar PV; Windows and Doors; Ventilation Systems; and Project Management.