The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has announced a boost in the level of grants available to Wicklow householders who want to undertake energy efficiency improvements. The cash value of every grant available to householders under the Government’s Better Energy Homes scheme has been increased by between 25-50%. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced which will see householders receive bonus payments if they complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.
To date, a total of 3,031 households in Wicklow have availed of the Better Energy Homes grants since it was launched in 2009. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides grants to homeowners to undertake energy efficiency measures such as insulating walls or attics and installing new heating systems.
The new grant levels came into effect at the beginning of March and will apply to everyone who has applied for a grant that has not yet been paid. The previous minimum grant threshold of €400 has been abolished and a bonus payment of €300 for householders who undertake three efficiency measures has been introduced, with an additional bonus payment of €100 available to householders who undertake four measures. The bonus payments are available to new applicants and to householders who have already availed of the scheme who wish to undertake further upgrades.
Commenting on the launch of the revamped scheme Brian Motherway, CEO of SEAI said: “Energy efficiency improvements allow people to live in warmer, more comfortable homes while lowering their energy bills. More than 165,000 homeowners have already availed of Better Energy Homes grants and are benefitting as a result. Their positive experiences, coupled with the announcement of higher grants, are a real incentive for even more people to consider home energy upgrades.”
Under the revised scheme, a family in a semi-detached house could benefit from a grant payment of up to €4700 for external wall insulation, a boiler and heating control upgrade, and cavity and attic insulation. A couple in an apartment could receive €3400 towards internal wall insulation, a boiler and heating control upgrade and the installation of solar thermal heating.
The following table illustrates the changes in grant levels, effective from 10th March 2015:
| Cash grant value | From | To |
| External wall insulation | ||
| Apartment/mid Terrace House | €1,800 | €2,250 |
| Semi-Detached/end Terrace | €2,700 | €3,400 |
| Detached House | €3,600 | €4,500 |
| Internal wall insulation | ||
| Apartment/mid Terrace House | €900 | €1,200 |
| Semi-Detached/end Terrace | €1,350 | €1,800 |
| Detached House | €1,800 | €2,400 |
| Cavity and attic insulation | €200 | €300 |
| Solar Thermal Heating | €800 | €1,200 |
| Gas/Oil Boiler installation with heating controls | €560 | €700 |
| Heating Controls upgrade | €400 | €600 |
Undertake three measures and receive an additional bonus grant payment of €300. A further additional grant payment of €100 is available for householders who undertake four or more measures. In addition, the minimum grant threshold of €400 has been abolished.
The Better Energy Homes scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the Government. For full grant details or to apply online visit:
http://www.seai.ie/BetterEnergyHomes.
