The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme provides low-cost, flexible loans to help make your home more energy efficient.
About the new low-cost loan
You can now apply for Government-backed, low-cost loans to upgrade the energy performance of your home. Investing in energy efficiency will make your home warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, while reducing your carbon footprint.
The purpose of the loan must be to carry out home energy upgrade works that are also grant-aided through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). You can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 for a term of up to 10 years. Loans are available through participating finance providers, including banks and some credit unions. The interest rates will be significantly lower than those generally available in the market but will differ among the finance providers.
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme is established and offered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and benefits from a guarantee that has been provided by the European Investment Fund (EIF) and European Investment Bank (EIB) and supported by the Government of Ireland.
Benefits
- Loans can help spread the cost of energy upgrades over a period of time, making it easier to balance repayments against savings on bills
- Streamlined process for grant and loan applications
- Approved loans can be drawn before works begin for deposits or milestone payments
- Flexibility to spend up to 25% of the loan on non-energy related works (e.g., redecorating your home)
Key features
- Lower interest rates
- Flexible terms of up to 10 years
- Loans from €5,000 to €75,000
- Loans are unsecured (i.e. there is no charge taken over the property as is the case with a mortgage)
-
Full terms and conditions and a list of participating finance providers are available on the SBCI website.
Eligibility criteria
- The purpose of the loan must be to carry out home energy upgrade works
- You must be the owner of the home
- The property must be located in the Republic of Ireland
- The home energy upgrades must first qualify for a grant from SEAI
- The works must be carried out by either an SEAI registered One Stop Shop, Energy Partner or Community Coordinator
- At least 75% of the loan amount must be spent on eligible measures listed below
- The home must be projected to achieve a min 20% uplift on the current energy performance (BER) of the building
- Loans cannot be used to fund projects that have already completed the works
- Full terms and conditions are available on the SBCI website here.
How to apply - Step by Step guide for Homeowners
Step 1
Contact an SEAI registered One Stop Shop, or an Energy Partner, or an SEAI Community Project Coordinator to plan your home energy upgrade.
Step 2
They will carry out an assessment, provide you with a Home Energy Summary Report and apply for your SEAI home energy upgrade grant.
Step 3
You engage with a participating finance provider for the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme at SBCI.gov.ie
Step 4
You apply for your low-cost, flexible loan using your Home Energy Summary Report at SBCI.gov.ie
Step 5
Once approved for your loan, now you can start your home energy upgrade and carry out work.
Grant routes that qualify for Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
You must avail of an SEAI home energy upgrade grant and use a registered One Stop Shop, Energy Partner, or Community Project Coordinator to manage the upgrades. They will advise whether your planned works meet the requirements and they will manage the process from start to finish.
-
Individual Energy Upgrades
For homeowners who want to upgrade their home on a step-by-step basis, giving them greater flexibility to suit their budgets. Comprising SEAI’s Better Energy Homes Scheme.
- Must achieve min 20% uplift on current BER
75% of loan must be spent on home energy upgrades. Up to 25% of the amount borrowed can be spent on non-eligible upgrades such as:
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Windows and doors and floor insulation
- Other home improvement works
Managed by an Energy Partner
-
One Stop Shop Service
For homeowners who want a complete home energy upgrade solution. Comprising SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
- Must achieve min 20% uplift on current BER and achieve min B2
75% of loan must be spent on home energy upgrades. Up to 25% of the amount borrowed can be spent on non-eligible upgrades such as:
- Redecoration required after energy upgrade works
- Other home improvement works
Managed by a One Stop Shop
-
Community Grant
For homeowners who want to avail of multiple energy upgrades. Comprising SEAI’s Community Energy Grants Scheme.
- Must achieve min 20% uplift on current BER and achieve min B2
75% of loan must be spent on home energy upgrades. Up to 25% of the amount borrowed can be spent on non-eligible upgrades such as:
- Redecoration required after energy upgrade works
- Other home improvement works
Managed by a Community Project Coordinator
Grants available
Eligible measures must be projected to achieve a 20% improvement on the current Building Energy Rating (BER) in kwh/m2/yr to qualify for the loan.
|
Individual Energy Upgrades
|
One Stop Shop
Service |
Community Grant
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Project management | no |  |
|
| Wall and roof insulation | |
|
|
| Floor insulation | no | |
|
| Windows | no | |
|
| Heating controls | |
|
|
| Heat pump | |
|
|
| Solar water heating | |
|
|
| Solar electricity | no | |
|
| Ventilation | no | |
|
| BER assessment | |
|
|