Ireland's free retrofit guide for homeowners
Independent of SEAI. Always homeowner-first.
Check your SEAI grants, compare upgrades with free calculators, and find trusted contractors in your county. Everything you need to make a confident decision about your home.
Free. No sign-up. Takes 2 minutes.
✔ Current 2026 SEAI grant rates
✔ Independent and homeowner-first
✔ SEAI-registered contractors across Ireland
What you get
Everything you need to make a confident decision
Likely SEAI grants
See which grants may apply to your home based on current SEAI rates.
Upgrade priorities
Find out which improvements could make the biggest difference for your property.
Cost ranges
Estimated costs based on typical Irish retrofit projects and current market rates.
Local contractors
Browse SEAI-registered contractors covering your county — call or WhatsApp directly.
The problem
Retrofit feels confusing.
Most homeowners are unsure where to start.
Should you install solar first?
Would a heat pump actually suit your home?
What insulation matters most?
What grants apply?
Who can you trust?
RetrofitReady helps you understand your likely options before spending money.
Simple process
How it works
Tell us about your property
A few quick questions about your home, building, farm or business.
See likely grants & upgrades
View retrofit options that may suit your property.
Understand possible costs
See estimated upgrade costs, grants and savings.
Connect with trusted local contractors
Only if and when you choose to.
Free tools
Energy calculators
Work out costs, savings and system sizes before talking to a contractor. No sign-up required.
Real examples
Homes like yours, all over Ireland
These are the kinds of homes we hear from every day. Yours will be different — but one of these will probably feel familiar.
Waterford
1970s semi-D in a housing estate. Oil boiler, single glazed windows, cold bedrooms upstairs. Retired couple, worried about bills.
Starting BER: E
- ✔ Attic insulation
- ✔ Cavity wall insulation
- ✔ Heat pump
Galway
1990s detached house outside Tuam. Gas boiler coming to end of life. Two kids, working from home.
Starting BER: D
- ✔ External wall insulation
- ✔ Solar PV
- ✔ Heat pump
Dublin
1960s mid-terrace in Crumlin. Never been insulated. Single income household, on Fuel Allowance.
Warmer Homes Scheme
- ✔ Full insulation
- ✔ New heating controls
- ✔ Completely free
Cork
2000s three bed semi in Ballincollig. Solar panels already installed. Wants to add a heat pump now.
Starting BER: C
- ✔ Attic insulation first
- ✔ Then heat pump
Mayo
1950s farmhouse outside Castlebar. Solid walls, no cavity. Oil heating. Rural, off gas grid.
Starting BER: F
- ✔ External wall insulation
- ✔ Heat pump
- ✔ Solar PV
External insulation on older rural homes can transform comfort levels — and the grant covers a significant portion.
Every property is different. These are illustrative examples based on typical Irish homes and current SEAI grant rates. Your actual costs and grants will depend on your specific property.
Grant news — June 2026: The Government has announced a new EV scrappage scheme. Drivers who scrap a petrol or diesel car over 13 years old and buy a new electric vehicle can get a €5,000 scrappage payment on top of the existing €3,500 SEAI EV grant — up to €8,500 in total. It is a €10 million pilot, opening 1 July 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis, applied for through your car dealer and managed by SEAI. Your car must have been yours for at least 12 months and have a valid NCT. Separately, from 31 July 2026 the price cap on the existing €3,500 EV grant drops from €60,000 to €50,000. Last verified 4 June 2026. Always confirm current details at seai.ie.
Find local contractors
Browse contractors by county
SEAI-registered contractors covering your area. Select your county to see who is available.
Neighbourhood group quotes
Get group quotes for your neighbourhood
Bring neighbours together to secure better pricing on solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and other home energy upgrades. Contractors provide group quotes — each household decides independently.
- ✔ Better pricing through group purchasing
- ✔ Individual SEAI grants still apply
- ✔ No obligation to accept quotes
Are you an installer or retrofit contractor?
Claim your listing so homeowners researching grants and upgrades can find you.
- ✔ Local visibility in your county
- ✔ Appear on county contractor pages
- ✔ Found through grant-related searches
- ✔ Early mover advantage — limited listings per county
- ✔ Homeowner leads from people actively researching retrofits
Common questions
Questions every homeowner asks
What should I do first?
Start with a home energy assessment. It tells you your BER rating, which upgrades will make the biggest difference, and what grants you qualify for. Most homeowners start with attic insulation — it is the cheapest and highest-impact upgrade.
Learn more →Do I need a BER assessment?
Yes, for most SEAI grants. A BER assessor inspects your home and rates it from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The assessment costs around €150–€200 and is required before applying for grants. SEAI contributes €50 towards the cost.
Learn more →Should I get solar, insulation or a heat pump first?
Insulation first, then heating, then solar. Insulating your home reduces how much heat you lose, so your heating system works less. A heat pump works best in a well-insulated home. Solar is best added last — it generates electricity regardless of insulation.
Learn more →How do SEAI grants work?
SEAI offers fixed grants for specific upgrades — heat pumps, insulation, solar PV, windows and more. You must use an SEAI-registered contractor and apply before work starts. Grants are paid after the work is completed and inspected.
Learn more →How do I choose a retrofit contractor?
Check they are SEAI registered, get at least 3 quotes, ask for references from recent local jobs, and confirm they will handle the grant application. RetrofitReady shows SEAI-registered contractors in your county with phone and WhatsApp so you can contact them directly.
Learn more →How much does a retrofit cost?
It depends on your home, but typical costs range from €5,000 for insulation to €15,000–€25,000 for a heat pump with insulation. SEAI grants can cover 30–80% of the cost. Use our free calculators to estimate your specific costs and grants.
Learn more →Isn't this just like the SEAI website?
Not quite. SEAI tells you what grants exist. We tell you how to actually get them without getting caught out. SEAI is a government body — their website is official and accurate but written for compliance, not for a nervous homeowner wondering where to start. We cover the things that trip people up: the rules that disqualify you if you get them wrong, the questions to ask contractors, the gotchas that cost people money. Think of SEAI as the rulebook and RetrofitReady as the person sitting beside you explaining what it means for your home. We are completely independent of SEAI.
Learn more →From the blog
Latest guides & news
SEAI Solar Grant 2026 — Everything You Need to Know
The SEAI solar PV grant covers up to €1,800 towards the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Here is everything you need to know about eligibility, how much you will get, and how to apply.
Heat PumpsHeat Pump vs Gas Boiler — Which Is Right for Your Irish Home?
Comparing running costs, upfront costs, SEAI grants, and suitability. Find out whether a heat pump or gas boiler is the better choice for your Irish home.
GrantsHow to Read Your BER Certificate
Your BER certificate tells you how energy efficient your home is — and what upgrades would make the biggest difference. Here is how to understand every section.
See what grants your home qualifies for
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