Upgrade traditional homes and heritage buildings
One Stop Shop
After you have engaged a Traditional Building Professional, contact a registered One Stop Shop providing traditional homes services.
Find a One Stop Shop (opens in a new tab)Traditional homes and heritage buildings were generally constructed in Ireland before 1940. Under the Traditional Homes Pilot, they are eligible for home energy upgrades managed by a One Stop Shop provider.
Eligibility for the traditional homes pilot
- You own a traditionally constructed home (typically pre-1940s).
- You engage a Traditional Building Professional to oversee the works.
- You will carry out a whole house energy upgrade using a registered One Stop Shop.
- Your home has not previously received SEAI grant support for the measures
Exclusions
- Your works have already started.
- You are completing a single home energy upgrade measure (e.g. wall insulation only). The pilot is focused on whole house energy upgrades.
- Homeowners eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme or Croí Cónaithe may also be eligible for home energy upgrade grants from SEAI. However, they cannot receive funding for the same works from both schemes.
What is a traditional building?
Traditional buildings are buildings with:
- Solid masonry walls with no cavity (brick or stone, often with a render finish)
- Single-glazed timber or metal windows
- Timber-framed roofs with slate or tiles, sometimes thatch or metal
- Flexible and breathable construction
- No damp-proof course
Supports available
The pilot aims to understand the technical aspects, materials, products and costs for the solutions traditional homes need. It allows homeowners to access One Stop Shop grant supports, using products suitable for traditionally constructed homes.
The upgrade options include all the technologies available to modern homes:
- Roof, wall and floor insulation
- Windows, doors
- Ventilation systems
- Renewable heating (heat pumps)
- Solar thermal and PV
Apply for the pilot programme
We are looking for 100 traditionally constructed homes to take part in the pilot.
To qualify for grant support, you must complete a whole house energy upgrade. You must apply through a One Stop Shop providing traditional homes services. They will manage the project and handle the grant application process on your behalf.
Although a B BER is not required post works, the home should receive energy upgrade measures appropriate to the building’s construction and cultural heritage.
How it works
This can be an architect, engineer or surveyor with conservation and traditional home energy upgrade experience. They can ensure that the thermal upgrades and products are suitable for your home. They will work alongside the OSS to develop a tailored plan for your home upgrade.
The professional bodies websites below can give your more information:
- RIAI - List of conservation accredited architects
- SCSI - List of conservation accredited surveyors
- Engineer Ireland - List of conservation accredited engineers (This list includes members operating in Ireland and the UK. Please use the base and region columns to find your nearest accredited engineer.)
Architectural Conservation Officers in your local council can provide guidance on statutory requirements and conservation advice for historic buildings.
| Company name and website | Regions serviced |
| Retrofit Energy Ireland | Nationwide |
| Kore Retrofit Ltd | Nationwide |
| EnviroBead | Nationwide |
| Energyfix | Nationwide |
| Energywise Ireland Ltd | Munster |
| Churchfield Home Services Ltd | Connaught/Leinster |
| Insulex | Munster |
| Integrate Home Energy | Leinster |
| Kingdom Installation Ltd | Nationwide |
| Home Comfort Retrofits Ltd | Leinster |
| House 2 home retrofit Ltd | Nationwide |
| Breffni Insulation | Ulster/Leinster |
| OhK Energy | Nationwide |
| Retrofit Energy Ireland | Nationwide |
| Energlaze | Nationwide |
| Kingspan | Nationwide |
The DHLGH guidance document Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings: Guidance for Specifiers and Installers (DHLHG) outlines the recommended procedure for developing a retrofit plan. This is an important step to help define the best home energy upgrade solution for your home.
Your Traditional Building Professional will work with your One Stop Shop to prepare a retrofit plan.
Traditional Homes Case Study
Gortavalla Farmhouse, located in Cloughjordan Co. Tipperary, was built over two hundred years ago and has been owned by the Guest family for six generations. The original structure was a “two up/two down” rubble stone farmhouse, typical of the area. The renovation aims to conserve the original building, improve energy efficiency, and replace the extensions with energy-efficient designs. Learn more about the project that is being managed by Kore Retrofit, an SEAI registered One Stop Shop.
Read the case study (opens in a new tab)-
Watch SEAI video about Traditional Buildings Retrofit Webinar (updates player above) -
Watch SEAI video about Compatible solutions for traditional buildings. (updates player above) -
Watch SEAI video about Traditional Building Professionals perspective on the Traditional Homes Pilot (updates player above) -
Watch SEAI video about Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings: Guidance for Specifiers and Installers (updates player above)