The SEAI heat pump grant is the largest home energy grant in Ireland — worth up to €12,500. But it comes with a crucial condition about how efficient your home already is. Here’s exactly how the grant works, who qualifies, and how to claim it.
2026 grant at a glance
- House: up to €12,500 · Apartment: up to €9,500 · Air-to-air: €7,500
- Made up of: unit (€6,500) + central heating upgrade (€2,000) + renewable heat bonus (€4,000)
- Home built & occupied before 2021, valid MPRN
- Heat loss indicator ≤ 2.3 W/K/m² (technical assessment for pre-2007 homes)
How the grant is made up
The grant is a bundle, not a single figure:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heat pump unit | up to €6,500 |
| Central heating system upgrade | up to €2,000 |
| Renewable heat bonus | up to €4,000 |
| Total (house) | up to €12,500 |
| Technical assessment | €200 |
The renewable heat bonus applies when you’re swapping out an oil, gas, solid-fuel or electric storage heating system. If you’re replacing a previously grant-aided heat pump, only the €6,500 (€4,500 for apartments) applies.
The heat-loss rule (the important bit)
A heat pump only works well in an efficient home, so SEAI checks your home’s heat loss indicator (HLI):
- Built before 2007 — a technical assessment is needed to confirm the HLI is 2.3 W/K/m² or lower, unless a valid BER already shows it.
- Built 2007 onwards — a self-declaration is usually accepted.
If your home doesn’t meet the standard, you’ll need to insulate first. That’s not a setback — it’s what makes the heat pump cheap to run. See our insulation guide.
Eligibility checklist
- Home built and occupied before 2021
- Valid MPRN on your electricity bill
- Meets the heat-loss standard (assessment or BER)
- Uses an SEAI-registered installer
- Applied and approved before work starts
How to apply, step by step
- Get a technical assessment if your home predates 2007 (grant-aided at €200).
- Apply to SEAI for the heat pump grant and wait for the offer.
- Accept within 30 days and complete the works within 8 months.
- Use a registered installer; complete the post-works BER.
- Submit documents — SEAI pays the grant.
See the general process in how to apply for an SEAI grant, and the full cost picture in heat pump cost in Ireland 2026.
Note
Grant amounts and rules can change, especially after the October Budget. This is general information, not financial advice — always confirm current details with SEAI before applying.