Minister Darragh O’Brien has unveiled a comprehensive package of new and enhanced grants under the National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, aimed at making home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible to homeowners across Ireland. Administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), these grants are designed to make homes warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper to heat, while promoting renewable heating and energy efficiency measures such as retrofitting, solar energy, and heat pumps. The plan will build on the success of 2025, when over 58,000 homeowners benefited from SEAI schemes, with the goal of reaching even more homes in 2026.
The updated grants include increased funding for cavity wall and attic insulation, new support for heat pump installations, and a high-temperature heat pump pilot scheme to evaluate emerging technology. A new grant for energy-efficient windows and doors will be available for homes meeting a minimum building fabric standard, helping homeowners prepare for heat pump adoption. First-time buyers of existing homes will receive specific attic insulation grants, while homeowners who previously upgraded one wall can now access grants for a second wall measure. Additional support is also available for those on qualifying welfare payments, ensuring energy-poor households can access cost-effective upgrades.
The plan emphasizes area-based retrofitting and support for vulnerable households, including increased grant support for local authority homes, Approved Housing Bodies, and community projects. Grants for AHB homes under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) and Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme may cover up to 75–80% of costs, with the potential for over 90% funding when combined with Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme contributions. The One Stop Shop service continues to offer fully managed retrofits, while low-cost loans under the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme provide additional financial flexibility, with amounts ranging from €5,000 to €75,000 and interest rates starting at 2.99%.
Additional incentives complement the grant measures, including a 0% VAT rate for domestic solar panels, a reduced 9% VAT for heat pumps, and tax relief for retrofit works in rental properties. These combined measures aim to remove barriers for homeowners and landlords, accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy technologies, and significantly improve the energy performance, comfort, and affordability of homes across Ireland.
