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What to Expect During Your SEAI Home Energy Upgrade or Deep Retrofit

Upgrading your home with an SEAI Home Energy Upgrade (also known as a deep retrofit) is one of the best investments you can make. It improves comfort, reduces energy bills, and increases the value of your property. However, the process can seem daunting at first. That’s where Leetherm’s One Stop Shop service comes in—managing everything from initial consultation to project completion, making it as smooth and stress-free as possible.

If you’re wondering what to expect during your home energy upgrade, here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.

Step 1: Initial Consultation – Understanding Your Options

Your journey starts with a consultation with Leetherm’s Retrofit Advisor. This is a key step where we discuss:

  • The current state of your home
  • Your energy upgrade goals
  • The best retrofit measures to suit your needs and budget
  • Available SEAI grants and financial options, including the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
  • A general overview of project timelines

By the end of this consultation, you’ll have a much clearer idea of the options available and how an energy upgrade could benefit your home. 

It couldn’t be easier to get started – just complete a One Stop Shop enquiry and one of our friendly experts will be in touch.

Step 2: Your Home Energy Assessment (HEA)

The next step in your retrofit journey is a Home Energy Assessment (HEA). SEAI offers a €350 grant specifically for this assessment, making it an affordable way to understand your home’s energy upgrade potential and to give you a solid understanding of your starting point for your retrofit journey.

Your HEA includes two key parts:

Part 1: The Site Survey

Our expert survey team carries out a full assessment of your property. This involves:

  • A room-by-room inspection of insulation levels, ventilation, and airtightness
  • Checking your existing heating system and controls
  • Assessing windows and doors for energy efficiency
  • Identifying areas where energy loss is most significant

This step is crucial as it allows us to create a tailored retrofit plan designed specifically for your home.

Part 2: Your Personalised Retrofit Report

Once the assessment is complete, we compile all findings into a detailed Retrofit Report. This report outlines:

  • Recommended upgrades, such as external insulation, heat pump installation, solar panels, or window replacements
  • Expected improvements in energy efficiency and BER rating
  • Estimated costs and SEAI grant eligibility
  • The potential long-term savings on your energy bills

At this stage, you have the flexibility to mix and match the suggested measures based on your budget and priorities. 

And don’t worry if it seems overwhelming – your Leetherm advisor will guide you through all the recommendations, helping you choose the upgrades that best suit your home and budget. With the SEAI grant covering €350 of your cost, the HEA is the perfect starting point for your home energy upgrade journey.

Step 3: Contract Agreement – Finalising the Plan

Once you’re satisfied with the recommendations, we finalise the details of your home energy upgrade:

  • Agreeing on the specific retrofit measures to be implemented
  • Identifying and applying for applicable SEAI grants
  • Identifying and providing guidance on available low-cost loan providers
  • Outlining a clear payment plan
  • Signing a contract to confirm project scope and timelines
  • Setting a start date for the work to begin

This ensures full transparency so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.

Step 4: Work Begins – Your Home Energy Upgrade in Action

Now, the physical work on your home begins. Our team of skilled professionals carry out each upgrade to strict building regulations to ensure your home meets the highest energy efficiency standards. Depending on your retrofit plan, the work may include:

Insulation Improvements
  • External Wall Insulation: A high-performance insulation layer is applied to the outside of your home and finished with a durable, weather-resistant render.
  • Attic Insulation: New insulation is installed to reduce heat loss through the roof, improving warmth retention.
  • Floor Insulation: If necessary, insulation is added beneath ground-floor surfaces to eliminate cold floors and heat loss.
Upgrading Heating & Hot Water Systems
  • Heat Pump Installation: If replacing an oil or gas boiler, an energy-efficient heat pump is installed to provide reliable, low-cost heating.
  • Upgrading to zoned heating controls for better temperature management.
  • Replacing radiators or underfloor heating where necessary.
  • Solar PV Panels: If included in your retrofit, solar panels are installed to generate clean, renewable electricity.
Ventilation & Airtightness
  • Ventilation upgrades ensure that fresh air circulates throughout the house, preventing dampness and maintaining indoor air quality.
  • Sealing draughts and improving airtightness to prevent heat loss.
Renewable Energy Solutions
  • Installing solar PV panels to generate electricity.
  • Installing a heatpump, which is considered a form of renewable energy, as they harness and utilise naturally available heat sources rather than burning fossil fuels.

Throughout the installation, Leetherm’s expert team ensures that everything is done in accordance with building regulations and SEAI standards. Our project managers oversee the work, keeping you informed at every stage.

Step 5: Your Home is Energy Efficient – Enjoy the Benefits

Once the work is complete, your home will be warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and far more energy efficient. You’ll notice the difference immediately:

  • Lower energy bills due to reduced heat loss.
  • A higher Building Energy Rating (BER), increasing your home’s value.
  • Improved comfort with better temperature control.
  • A reduced carbon footprint, making your home more environmentally friendly.

To ensure everything meets your expectations, Leetherm conducts a final quality check and provides guidance on maintaining your upgraded home for maximum energy efficiency.

Why Choose Leetherm’s One Stop Shop?

A home energy upgrade involves many moving parts, but with Leetherm, you won’t have to worry about staying on top of it all. Our One Stop Shop service means:

  • We put you first – clear communication, personalised recommendations, and full support throughout the process.
  • We handle everything – from consultation and grants to construction and final checks.
  • We make it simple – no dealing with multiple contractors, just one expert team.

Ready to Upgrade Your Home?

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of SEAI grants and low-cost energy upgrade loans. If you’re considering an energy upgrade, fill out an enquiry today for a FREE initial consultation and find out how much you could save.

Leetherm is registered with SEAI as a One Stop Shop for home energy upgrades. Grants offered are provided by the Government of Ireland through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The figures used in this blog post are for illustrative purposes only and based on typical savings from home energy upgrades. Actual savings will vary depending on factors such as home size, energy usage, and upgrade measures. Grant amounts and financing rates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information and a personalised assessment, get in touch with Leetherm’s team today.