Warmer Homes Scheme
SEAI's Warmer Homes Scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western and Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programmes 2021-27.
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. You must own and live in your own home | This must be your main residence, where you live most days of the week. You will be asked to provide proof of ownership when you apply. |
| 2. Your home was built and occupied before 2006 | This means the ESB meter was connected and property lived in prior to 2006. We will confirm this as part of the BER assessment. |
3. You receive one of the following eligible welfare payments We will check your eligibility directly with the Department of Social Protection (DSP), so you do not need to provide proof of your payment unless we contact you for additional information.
|
|
| 4. Your home must be suitable for improvements based on a home survey | Some homes may not qualify Not all homes are suitable for all measures, and the upgrades recommended will depend on the condition and construction of your home. |
If you receive any of these welfare entitlements, you can check your eligibility online when making your application. Please note that there are specific rules for the scheme, so make sure you understand them before applying. If you only recently started receiving of any of the eligible welfare payments, wait 5-6 weeks after your first payment before making your application.
An SEAI surveyor will assess your home and recommend upgrades that are suitable. It’s important to remember that every home is different, so the upgrades offered to you may not be the same as those given to someone else on the scheme. In some cases, a home may not qualify for any upgrades after the assessment.
Application stages and waiting times
We understand that waiting can be frustrating, but there is currently a high demand for this scheme. At the moment, it can take up to 24 months from when you apply until works on your home are fully completed. To ensure fairness for everyone who has applied, all applications are processed in the order they are received, and it is not possible to move ahead of others in the queue.
The following are the current approximate wait times for each stage of the application process.
Stage 1. Pre-works BER. You may be waiting up to 12 months from application
Stage 2. Home survey. You may be waiting up to 14 months from application
Stage 3. Works completed. You may be waiting more than two years from application
Stage 4. Final BER/Inspection. You may be waiting 2-3 months after works are completed
What is a BER
A BER (Building Energy Rating) measures how energy-efficient your home is. It’s similar to the energy labels you see on appliances, with ratings from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
All homes participating in the scheme need a BER. If you don’t already have a valid BER in place, SEAI will arrange this for you before the work starts, but this may add a little extra time to your application.
Apartments
If you live in an apartment, you will need permission from your management company before we carry out any assessments or work. Your application will not move forward until this permission is in place and has been received by the contact centre. Please use the Apartment Consent letter to request this permission.
How to apply (opens in a new tab)Upgrades offered
An SEAI surveyor will assess your home and recommend upgrades that are suitable. These will be based on things such as its age, size, existing heating system and condition of your property. The final recommendations are checked by your appointed contractor and must follow scheme rules.
You won’t be able to pick and choose upgrades yourself. The measures recommended are carefully chosen for your home. It’s important to remember that every home is different, so the upgrades offered to you may not be the same as those given to someone else on the scheme. In some cases, a home may not qualify for any upgrades after the assessment.
Upgrades offered may include:
- Attic insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- External wall insulation
- Internal wall insulation
- Smaller measures such as lagging jackets, draught proofing and energy efficient lighting
- Occasionally, renewable heating systems and windows are occasionally recommended (we do not support the installation of oil or gas boilers)
Bypass the waiting times!
The government introduced higher fixed-amount grants for attic and cavity insulation for homeowners who are on qualifying welfare payments – aligned with Warmer Home Scheme eligibility requirements. Homeowners will have the option to select their own contractor, getting the job done faster, and avail of the higher fixed grant amount. Up to €2,300 for wall insulation and up to €2,500 for attic insulation. In many cases, the grant amount will cover most of the total cost. Availing of these new grants will not affect an applicant’s place on the waiting list for other measures under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
View attic and wall insulation grantsHow to apply
- Read the application guidelines
- If you think this applies to you, complete the online application
- If relevant, add additional documents such as the Carers Allowance Confirmation Form or the Apartment Consent form if you live in an apartment
- Await eligibility confirmation from the online portal
Paper applications
You can apply by post using a paper application form but there may be additional waiting time to process your application. If possible, get help in making the online application.
A contractor is appointed from SEAI's panel to carry out the upgrade works.
It is important to be aware that it may take more than a 2-year waiting time before your home is completed. Applications are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. The following are the current approximate wait times for each stage of the application process.
- Pre-works BER* - Up to 12 months from application
- Survey - Approx. 14 months from application
- Works Completed - Approx. 24 - 26 months from application
- Post works BER/Inspection - Approx. 2-3 months after works completed
*All homes participating on the programme must have a BER in place. If you do not have a valid BER in place, SEAI will carry one out for you in advance of works taking place. This may impact waiting times for applicants.
FAQS
1.1 How do I prove I'm eligible?
You’ll be asked for your PPSN and date of birth when applying. These are used to check your payments with the Department of Social Protection. Your details are not kept after your application is checked.
1.2 I get the 'Household Benefits Package'. Can I apply?
No. This scheme is only for people getting the listed qualifying payments.
1.3 I got upgrades before. Can I apply again?
It depends. If you had work done on or after 1 July 2018, you are generally no longer eligible.
1.4 I live in the home but I don’t own it. Can I apply?
No. You must own and live in the home.
1.5 My home was built in 2006. Can I apply?
No. Your home must be built and lived in before 2006.
1.6 I don’t have a BER. Do I need one?
No need to worry. If you qualify, SEAI will arrange a free BER assessment for you before and after the work is carried out.
1.7 Can I apply by post?
Yes, but it may take longer. It’s best to apply online if you can, or get help to do so.
1.8 Why do you need my PPSN and date of birth?
These are used to confirm your eligibility with the Department of Social Protection. They are not kept once your application is approved.
2.1 I’ve applied and I’m eligible. What happens next?
If you already have a BER, your application moves forward to the survey stage. If not, SEAI will arrange a free BER assessment for your home. This shows how your home is performing before any work is done.
2.2 I’ve been contacted by a BER assessor. What happens next?
They will arrange a time that suits you and carry out the assessment. You will receive a copy of your BER in the post.
2.3 I got a call from SEAI asking about my home. What is this?
This is a general check to make sure your home is suitable for works before sending someone out.
2.4 My application was cancelled after a call. What can I do?
Sometimes applications are cancelled if no suitable works can be carried out (for example, the home can’t be insulated). If you think this is wrong, you can contact SEAI to discuss.
2.5 I’ve been contacted by a surveyor. What happens next?
The surveyor will visit your home and recommend upgrades based on the scheme rules. They will explain everything to you, and you’ll be asked to sign once you understand the recommendations.
2.6 Can I ask for specific upgrades?
No. The surveyor will decide what upgrades are suitable for your home based on the scheme rules.
2.7 The surveyor said my home doesn’t qualify for upgrades: why not?
The surveyor makes this decision based on their assessment of your home. Make sure to ask for a clear explanation during the visit.
If you are unsure, you can contact SEAI to discuss it.
2.8 I’ve been assigned a contractor. What happens next?
Your contractor will contact you and plan the work. Timelines can vary, so ask them for key dates when you first speak.
2.9 The contractor said no work can be done. What should I do?
The contractor reviews the surveyor’s recommendations. If no work is possible, they will explain why. If you’re unsure, contact them and ask for more details.
3.1 Can I change my contractor?
No. You will be assigned one contractor, and they will work with you for the full job. If you have any issues, you can contact them directly.
3.2 Can I limit how long contractors are in my home?
Contractors will need reasonable access to carry out the work. If access is very restricted, the work may be cancelled. Talk to your contractor early on so that you understand how long they will need.
3.3 Can I get new windows?
Windows are only replaced if they are single-glazed and done as part of wall insulation work.
3.4 I have single-glazed windows but insulated walls. Can I get new windows?
No. Windows are only replaced when wall insulation is also being carried out.
3.5 I live in an apartment. Can I get upgrades?
Yes, but you must have permission from your management company first. Your application cannot go ahead without this.
Possible upgrades may include:
- Internal wall insulation
- Ventilation improvements
- Heat pumps (if suitable)
- Attic insulation (where relevant)
- Mechanical ventilation
Some works may also need permission, such as drilling walls or installing equipment outside.
3.6 I live in an older or stone house. Can I get upgrades?
Wall insulation is not usually done on homes built before 1940 or stone homes. However, you may still qualify for other upgrades.
3.7 My heating is broken. Can I get a replacement?
The scheme only supports renewable heating systems (like heat pumps). It does not replace oil or gas systems.
3.8 Can I get a heat pump?
Only some homes qualify. Your home must have low heat loss to be suitable. Many older or larger homes may not qualify. Ask your surveyor if you’re unsure.
3.9 My walls are already insulated. Can I get more insulation?
No. Only one type of insulation is provided per wall. If your walls are already insulated, more work usually can’t be done.
3.10 I have a dormer/room in roof. Can I get external attic insulation?
No. SEAI does not carry out insulation where there is a dormer/attic conversion as they are complex in nature and require bespoke solutions which are outside the scope of the operations of the programme.
3.11 My home is prioritised. What does that mean?
The scheme prioritises homes built before 1993 that have a low BER (E, F or G).
3.12 What happens after the work is finished?
The scheme covers the upgrades only. It does not include:
- Repairs or maintenance
- Fixing structural issues
- Painting or finishing work
These are the homeowner’s responsibility.
If you had work done before, you may still be able to apply again, depending on what was done and when. If your work was completed after July 2018, it’s unlikely you can get more upgrades.
Here’s a simple guide:
Attic insulation
This means adding thick insulation in your attic to keep heat in.
- If you already have full insulation (about 12 inches thick): you won’t qualify again.
- If your attic couldn’t be insulated before (e.g. it was floored) but is now cleared out: you may qualify.
- If your attic is converted (used as a room): you won’t qualify.
Cavity wall insulation
This means filling the gap inside your walls with insulating material.
- If you already got this, nothing new is available.
- If your home has solid concrete walls instead of cavity walls, you might qualify for a different type of wall insulation.
- If your walls are stone or similar, you won’t qualify.
External wall insulation
This means putting insulation on the outside walls of your home.
- If you already got this, you won’t qualify for this again.
Internal wall insulation
This means adding insulation to the inside of your walls.
- If you already got this, you might still qualify for insulating other walls.
- If you have concrete walls, you may qualify for external insulation instead.
Heating system
This means installing a new, efficient heating system.
- Under European legislation the scheme can no longer fund oil or gas boilers.
- Only modern, renewable systems (like heat pumps) are supported now.
- If you already had a heating upgrade, you won’t get another one.
Windows
- Only old single-pane windows are replaced.
- You must also be getting wall insulation at the same time.
- If you have concrete walls and single-pane windows, you may qualify.
- Windows are not replaced on their own.
Other small upgrades (like draught proofing or insulation covers)
- If you’ve already received these, you won’t get more.
In Summary
As your work was done in 2012, you might still qualify for some upgrades, mainly if:
- your home has solid concrete walls, or
- your attic situation has changed since the work was done
But if you already received full upgrades (like attic insulation, wall insulation, or heating), you likely won’t be eligible again for those.
Contact us
Call: 01 808 2005
Email: [email protected]