New SEAI Grants from 6 October: What They Mean for Your Home
On 29 September 2026, the Government announced 5 changes to SEAI home energy grants. The changes include a new boiler scrappage grant, a grant for home batteries and wider eligibility for solar grants. All of the new measures open on 6 October 2026.
If you’ve been considering a heat pump, solar panels or insulation, here’s what has changed and how it may affect your plans.
1. A New €2,000 Boiler Scrappage Grant
Homeowners replacing their existing heating system, such as an oil or gas boiler, with a heat pump can now receive an additional €2,000 boiler scrappage grant. This applies to houses built before 2021. The grant is available for individual heat pump upgrades and for full home upgrades through the SEAI One Stop Shop.
The scrappage grant is paid on top of the existing SEAI heat pump grant. If you already have a heat pump grant application in progress, the Government has confirmed that the €2,000 will be added automatically for eligible homeowners.
A heat pump works best in a home that retains heat well. Depending on the age and condition of your property, insulation or airtightness improvements may be needed first. Some older homes will also need a technical assessment before they qualify for the heat pump grant.
2. New €600 Grant for Home Battery Storage
A new €600 grant is now available for home battery storage, it applies to batteries of 5kWh or larger in homes built and occupied before 2025. A battery stores electricity that your solar panels generate during the day, so you can use it in the evening instead of drawing from the grid.
Pairing a battery with solar PV is usually the most effective option. Whether a battery suits your home will depend on your energy use and your existing or planned system. You can apply for the battery grant on its own or alongside a solar PV grant. The battery must be installed by an SEAI registered solar PV contractor, and you need to receive your grant offer from SEAI before it is installed.
3. Solar Grants now open to more homes
Until now, the SEAI solar PV and solar thermal grants were only available for homes built and occupied before 2021. From 6 October, homes built and occupied before 2025 will also be eligible.
The solar PV grant remains at up to €1,800, depending on the size of the system. For owners of newer homes who were previously excluded, this is a welcome change.
4. New Insulation Grants for rented homes
New attic and cavity wall insulation grants are being introduced for homes let under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS):
Attic insulation: €1,400 to €2,500, depending on house type
Cavity wall insulation: €900 to €2,300, depending on house type
Attic and cavity wall insulation are two of the most practical ways to reduce heat loss. For landlords, these grants make it easier to improve the comfort and energy performance of a rental property.
5. More support through the Warmer Homes Scheme
The fully funded Warmer Homes Scheme will now include solar PV and a home battery as standard for eligible households, alongside the existing energy upgrades.
What this means for you
These changes widen access to support for heat pumps, solar and insulation. But the right upgrade still depends on your home. Its age, construction, current insulation and heating system all affect which measures are suitable and the order they should be carried out in.
Before applying for any grant, it’s worth understanding where your home is losing energy and which improvements will make the biggest difference. A Home Energy Assessment is a good place to start.
Grant eligibility and conditions are set by SEAI and may change. We’ll update this article as SEAI publishes further detail.
Talk to our Team
Not sure which grants apply to your home? Contact Retrofit Design to talk through your options and plan the right next step.
- Check what grants you may be eligible for
Use the SEAI grant eligibility checker to understand what supports are available - Compare your upgrade options
Look at the difference between individual grants and a One Stop Shop approach - Arrange a Home Energy Assessment
Get a clear picture of how your home is performing and what improvements will make the biggest difference
Taking this structured approach makes the process more straightforward and helps avoid costly mistakes later.
Speak to our team to arrange your Home Energy Assessment and take the first, most important step towards a warmer, more comfortable home. Call 066 9762746.
Whether it’s a full deep retrofit through the SEAI One Stop Shop or individual upgrades via the Better Energy Homes Scheme, we’ll handle the process from assessment to completion – so you can enjoy the benefits without the stress.
