SEAI Increased Grants 2026: What Homeowners Need to Know (And How to Make the Most of Them)
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your home’s comfort and energy efficiency, this is one of the biggest opportunities we’ve seen in years.
SEAI has announced a package of new and enhanced grants designed to make home energy upgrades more affordable and accessible. The changes are being introduced in phases, with key increases starting from 3 February 2026, and further measures (including windows and doors) from March 2026.
Below is a clear, homeowner-friendly guide to what’s changed, what it means for your home, and how to plan your next step.
What’s changing (in plain English)
The headline is simple: more support, upfront, for measures that make the biggest difference to comfort and running costs.
From SEAI’s announcement, the main themes are:
- Higher grants for attic and cavity wall insulation
- A new fixed heat pump system grant (up to €12,500 for houses) which bundles support for the heat pump plus key heating system upgrades
- A major increase for air-to-air heat pumps
- Additional changes from March 2026 that make it easier for more households to start (and continue) their upgrade journey
The grant increases homeowners are asking us about most
You said you want to focus on heat pumps, air-to-air heat pumps, attic insulation, and cavity wall insulation. Here’s the at-a-glance view.
Heat pump grants (the biggest change)
SEAI has introduced a fixed-amount heat pump system grant to reduce the barrier of upgrading the whole heating system.
- Heat pump (house): €6,500 → €12,500
- This new maximum includes the existing €6,500 heat pump grant, €2,000 for upgrading radiators/pipework (central heating upgrade), and a €4,000 renewable heat bonus.
- Heat pump (apartment): €6,500 → €9,500
Why this matters to you: for many homes, the heat pump itself isn’t the only cost. Your home may also need changes to emitters (radiators), controls, and pipework to run efficiently. This new structure recognises that reality.
What if you’ve already applied? The new maximum grant of €12,500 will apply to applications already in train with the SEAI (and not yet processed for payment).
(As always, confirm your specific situation with your provider before you proceed.)
Air-to-air heat pump grants
- Air-to-air heat pump: €3,500 → €7,500
This is a significant increase and is likely to drive more interest in air-to-air systems, particularly where they suit the home and the homeowner’s goals.
Attic insulation grants (increased across all home types)
- Detached: €1,500 → €2,000
- Semi-detached / end-terrace: €1,300 → €1,500
- Mid-terrace: €1,200 → €1,400
- Apartment: €800 → €1,100
Attic insulation is often one of the quickest comfort wins: less heat escaping, fewer cold rooms upstairs, and reduced heating demand.
Cavity wall insulation grants (smaller increases, still worthwhile)
- Detached: €1,700 → €1,800
- Semi-detached / end-terrace: €1,200 → €1,300
If your home has suitable cavity walls, this can be a high-impact measure for reducing heat loss through the walls.
Summary of changes
Here’s a quick summary of the main SEAI grant changes, showing the old grant amounts versus the new increased supports announced for 2026:
| Measure | Old Grant (Before Change) | New Grant (After Announcement) | Key Change |
| Heat Pump (House) | €6,500 | €12,500 | Bundled grant now includes heat pump, heating controls/emitters and renewable heat bonus |
| Heat Pump (Apartment) | €6,500 | €9,500 | Higher support recognising apartment constraints |
| Air-to-Air Heat Pump | €3,500 | €7,500 | Significant increase to encourage uptake |
| Attic Insulation – Detached | €1,500 | €2,000 | Grant increased |
| Attic Insulation – Semi / End-Terrace | €1,300 | €1,500 | Grant increased |
| Attic Insulation – Mid-Terrace | €1,200 | €1,400 | Grant increased |
| Attic Insulation – Apartment | €800 | €1,100 | Grant increased |
| Cavity Wall Insulation – Detached | €1,700 | €1,800 | Small increase |
| Cavity Wall Insulation – Semi / End-Terrace | €1,200 | €1,300 | Grant increased |
When do the changes start?
SEAI has said the measures will be introduced in phases:
From February 2026
- Higher grants for attic and cavity insulation
- Higher grants for heat pump systems (up to €12,500), including the renewable heat bonus and central heating upgrade support
- Introduction of a high temperature heat pump pilot under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme
From March 2026 (additional changes)
SEAI’s update also outlines further measures, including:
- A new windows and doors grant under Better Energy Homes
- New higher grants for people in receipt of specified Social Protection payments (for attic and cavity)
- New attic grants for first-time buyers
- A change allowing some homeowners who previously received a wall insulation grant to apply for a second wall insulation grant
- Changes to certain One Stop Shop eligibility requirements when a heat pump is installed
If you’re planning works, it’s worth checking which phase applies to your preferred measure.
How to decide what to do first (so you don’t waste money)
Grants are important, but the best results come from choosing measures in the right order.
A simple rule of thumb:
- Reduce heat loss first (attic and wall insulation)
- Then upgrade heating (heat pump and heating system)
- Make sure ventilation is right (so the home stays healthy, not just warm)
This approach improves comfort quickly and helps your heating system run efficiently.
Why working with an SEAI One Stop Shop matters
SEAI offers different routes: you can apply for individual measures, or you can complete a full home energy upgrade through the One Stop Shop service.
For many homeowners, One Stop Shop is the simplest option because it’s fully managed, and the grant is deducted from the cost of works upfront.
Leetherm is an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop, so our team stays up to date on the latest grant changes and what they mean in practice. We guide you through the process end-to-end: assessment, planning, measures, project management, and grant administration.
Ready to see what you could claim?
If you’re considering a heat pump, air-to-air system, attic insulation or cavity wall insulation, now is a great time to explore your options.
We know it can feel confusing trying to work out what supports you qualify for, what order to do things in, and what will actually make the biggest difference in your home. If you’d like a clear plan, get in touch – we’ll talk you through your options, explain what’s available, and help you choose the best next step. Fill out our enquiry form today and one of our local, friendly energy experts will be able to talk through your home, your goals, and the best next step.
