National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 to Make Home Energy Upgrades More Affordable in Ireland
National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026
The Government has announced a wide-ranging package of new and enhanced home energy upgrade supports under the National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, aimed at making retrofitting more affordable and accessible for homeowners across Ireland.
The measures introduce new individual upgrade grants, increase funding levels, and widen eligibility so that more households can improve their homes’ energy performance at a pace that suits their budgets. Additional targeted supports will also be made available for homeowners on qualifying welfare payments, first-time buyers of existing homes, Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, and vulnerable members of the community.
All grants will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, said the initiative delivers on commitments to improve comfort, affordability, and sustainability in Irish homes by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering household energy bills. He noted that more than 58,000 homeowners benefited from SEAI-supported upgrades last year, with even greater participation expected in 2026.
SEAI Chief Executive William Walsh described the package as a major boost that builds on record retrofit activity, saying the new measures will help even more households achieve lower energy bills and healthier living conditions.
Grant Increases and New Supports From February
Higher Grants for Insulation
Grant levels for cavity wall insulation and attic insulation will increase to reflect rising installation costs. These higher fixed grants are intended to significantly reduce the upfront cost for homeowners.
Expanded Heat Pump System Grant
A new fixed heat pump system grant will be introduced to reduce the financial barrier associated with full heating system upgrades. The revised support combines:
- €6,500 for the heat pump
- €2,000 for radiator and pipework upgrades
- A new €4,000 renewable heating bonus
This brings the maximum available grant to €12,500. The new rate will also apply to eligible applications already in progress with SEAI that have not yet been paid.
Viessmann Vitocal R290 air source heat pump
A high-temperature heat pump pilot scheme will also launch to assess the performance and running costs of this emerging technology in Irish homes.
New Measures From March
Windows and Doors Grant
A new grant will support the installation of energy-efficient windows and doors in homes that meet, or will meet, a required building fabric standard. Many homes will already qualify, while others may need to add attic or wall insulation first. These upgrades are expected to improve comfort while helping homes become suitable for heat pumps.
Attic Insulation for First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers of existing homes will be eligible for an enhanced attic insulation grant, often covering most or all of the cost. This is designed to help new homeowners begin their retrofit journey even if a full deep retrofit is not yet affordable.
‘Second Wall’ Insulation Measure
Homeowners who previously received support for cavity or internal wall insulation will now be able to apply for funding for an additional wall insulation measure, further improving heat retention and heat pump readiness.
Enhanced Supports for Lower-Income Households
Homeowners receiving qualifying welfare payments will be eligible for higher fixed grants for attic and cavity wall insulation. In many cases, the grant may cover most or all of the cost. Accessing these measures will not affect an applicant’s place on the waiting list for the Warmer Homes Scheme where relevant.
Additional Community and Social Housing Supports
Local Authority Homes
Local authorities will be able to access Better Energy Homes grants for attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, and heating controls for properties suited to shallow upgrades, alongside ongoing deep retrofit programmes funded by the Department of Housing.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs)
Grant rates for AHBs will increase to approximately 75% of upgrade costs, rising to around 80% for fuel-poor households. Combined with other funding supports, this could cover more than 90% of retrofit costs in some cases. These changes are intended to accelerate upgrades in some of the least energy-efficient housing, including multi-unit developments.
Continued Support Through One Stop Shops
Homeowners wishing to complete a full deep retrofit in a single project can continue to use SEAI-registered One Stop Shops, which manage works from start to finish. Grants are deducted upfront from project costs, and low-cost retrofit loans remain available through participating lenders.
Between 2019 and the end of 2025, Government investment of €1.67 billion supported energy upgrades in more than 244,000 homes. The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 aims to build on this progress by ensuring even more households can access warmer, more energy-efficient homes in the years ahead.
