Use these guidance documents to ensure the works you carry out under the Better Energy Homes scheme meet the required SEAI Standards.

Quality of service

The quality of service delivery is central to the reputation and effectiveness of all home energy efficient works supported by SEAI. We have put together a number of supports and guidance documents that will help you complete your work to the required standard. Following these guidelines will benefit your reputation and help grow your business.

Part of your role is to support the Homeowner in making the right decisions in upgrading their home. This includes explaining and agreeing the proposed works, providing a quote for works and agreeing a contract between Homeowner and Contractor.

Please note, registered Contractors can offer the Homeowner the cost of works net of the grant amount. To do this, the Contractor can ask the Homeowner to nominate the Contractor's preferred bank account with bank details on the SEAI Request for Payment form.

Support and guidance documents

Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications (DTSS)

The DTSS details the technical requirements for the SEAI residential Programmes. A Contractor carrying out works for these Programmes must have the minimum levels of competency and commit to supplying materials and equipment and to perform the works to the defined requirements. The DTSS is based on S.R. 54:2014/A2:2022 Code of Practice for the energy efficient re (standards.ie).

Better Energy Homes Contractor's Code of Practice

The Better Energy Homes Code of Practice sets out the programme-specific requirements on contractors in carrying out works supported by the Programme.

Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures (QADP)

The Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures (QADP) document details the quality assurance procedures that are in place to govern the Better Energy programmes, including the reworks process. Here you will find a useful Inspector's checklist that will help you snag your own work.

Desktop Audit Photographic Guidance

This document provides guidance on the photographic evidence required as part of a Desktop Audit to assist with the verification of the installation of works.

Appeals

If you wish to appeal an Inspector's decision you must use this form. It is important to note that if you don't complete the works to the standards in the documents above, you will receive a request to complete reworks to bring the works to the specified SEAI standard.

Quality Management Systems

All contractors working on SEAI programmes are required to have a Quality Management System in place.

An effective Quality Management System will help contractors manage grant works from start to finish resulting in faster payments, better compliance, a reduction in the costs associated with remedial works and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

SEAI recently held an in-depth webinar on the fundamentals of Quality Management Systems. The webinar briefed contractors on:

  • General quality management frameworks
  • Management of grant installations
  • Quality assurance checks
  • Documentation requirements
  • Quality management tools and templates

Below you will find some useful quality management resources including a copy of the webinar recording and presentation, along with a quality management template. It is highly recommended that all nominated personnel, your quality manager and any staff involved in processing grant-related works familiarise themselves with these resources.

Resources;

Insurance

SEAI requires contractors listed on the register of Better Energy Homes contractors to be fully insured at all times. Contractors must be insured by insurance companies regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. These can be based in the EU or EEA including Northern Ireland and UK.

Please provide the following documentation to be completed by your Insurance broker.

For more information regarding insurance requirements under the Better Energy Homes programme please visit the 'Register as a Contractor' webpage

Technical guidance and safety notices

Heat Pump System

Heat Pump Designer/Installer Sign Off Sheet

The worksheets in the Better Energy Homes Heat Pump Designer Installer Sign Off Sheet must be completed by the registered contractor. For the heat pump systems installed under Better Energy Homes, these are equivalent to the “Designer Installer Sign Off Form” required for the purpose of the BER.

Ecodesign Technical Data

In the table below you can find links to heat pump manufacturer's Ecodesign Technical Data for their products:


Heat Pump Association of Ireland Installation Guidelines

The HPAI Installation guidelines, developed by the Heat Pump Association of Ireland, contain important technical guidance for the installation of heat pump systems.

Room Heat Loss and Radiator Sizing Guidance

Guidance on the heat loss calculation and radiator sizing/verification for heat pump system grants.

Solar technical guidance and calculator

In accordance with the Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications, contractors must only install products listed on the Solar Thermal Registered Product List. Please note that even if the solar collector is listed on the register, this does not mean that a specific product will meet the sizing requirement of the grant. Contractors are required to select the appropriate product that will meet the required specifications of the grant programme.

To register a product on the Solar Thermal Registered Product List, you must complete and return a Solar Thermal Product Registration Form.

Important safety notices that must be signed by homeowner

Technical bulletins

The following documents provide technical guidance on the installation of grant works. The purpose of these bulletins is to help contractors maintain quality and ensure compliance with programme requirements.

Contractor Training Videos

The aim of the training videos is to assist you with installations and ensuring compliance with the grant programme standards, specifications and regulations.

Marketing guidance and use of logos

  • It is not permitted to use the SEAI logo and Better Energy logo on any publication or visual medium, in relation to the Better Energy Homes programme. This includes print and broadcast advertising, brochures, flyers, direct mail, point of sale material, online collateral, branded vehicles and phone directories.
  • No references may be made to SEAI or the Better Energy programme, which may infer any form of endorsement.
  • Where a contractor is SEAI registered, the following statement may be included; ‘[Company Name] is a registered contractor under the Better Energy Homes programme’.

Additional Support for Domestic Solar PV Companies & Installers

Our support and guidance documents for Solar PV will help you ensure the works you carry out under the Domestic Solar PV Scheme meet the required SEAI Standards.

Learn more

Contact us

For technical queries:
Email inspections@betterenergyhomes.ie
Call 01 277 6977

For registration queries:
Call: 01 808 2004
Email contractor@betterenergyhomes.ie