A major package of grant updates aimed at making home energy upgrades more accessible has been announced by Minister Darragh O’Brien, with changes set to roll out in two phases over the coming weeks.
The first phase will begin on 3 February 2026 and will see increased grants for attic and cavity wall insulation, along with a significant increase in support for heat pump systems.
A second phase will follow from 4 March 2026, introducing new grants for windows and doors under the Better Energy Homes scheme. This phase will also include targeted support for first time buyers and people in receipt of Social Protection payments.
The updated grant levels represent a substantial increase, particularly for standalone upgrades. Importantly, the new rates will apply to all applicants who had open applications for the relevant measures on 27 January 2026.
Among the changes announced is the removal of several requirements that had previously delayed or prevented homeowners from progressing with upgrades. The minimum 100 kWh per square metre per year energy uplift requirement for National Home Energy upgrades involving heat pumps has been removed. The requirement for homes to have a B3 or worse BER rating before works could begin under the National Home Energy upgrade scheme has also been lifted.
In addition, homeowners who previously completed cavity wall or internal wall insulation works may now be eligible for a second grant to bring those upgrades up to current standards.
The changes are expected to make energy efficiency improvements more achievable for a wider range of homeowners across the country in 2026.
