The big changes to SEAI grants for heat pumps, windows, and doors

Kya deLongchamps is passionate about three stand-out improvements in the SEAI managed awards this Valentine’s Day. Here’s her second report on your need-to-know.

The dramatic improvement in SEAI-managed Heat Pump Grants may add momentum to the Government's resolve to persuade more of us away from fossil fuel heating with generous retrofit aid for the heat-pump-ready home. Image: Daiken.

THERE has been a lot of excitement surrounding the announcement by the Government of multiple dramatic increases, caps, and changes to the SEAI grant system, with three energising stand-outs.

The heat pump grant has leapt past even the previously generous €10,5000 available through a holistic, deep-retrofit route to a fixed maximum of €12,500. This affects both grant types, using individual grant aid and the more serious spend of a whole house, once-off energy uplift of the One Stop Shop. Additionally, windows and exterior doors, previously only available if you were doing a deep-retro are not listed in individual grant aid, offering a valuable top grant of €4,000 towards total replacement with high efficiency windows in a detached home, and €800 for each of two exterior doors. As part of the home’s insulated envelope, changing to doors with a low-U value at the same time as window units makes sense.