Home Energy Upgrades
Your Path to a Warm, Comfortable, Efficient Home
What are the home energy upgrade routes?
Whether you are looking to make your home warmer and more comfortable or slash your energy bills, the right upgrades can make a big difference. Under SEAI’s Better Energy Home
Scheme and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shop), you can gain access to grants and a structured path to help you get there.
Home Energy
Upgrades
SEAI home energy upgrades
What are SEAI’s Home Energy Upgrade Routes?
SEAI provides two pathways that we can help homeowners use to improve their home’s energy efficiency. These routes vary depending on how much support you want, your budget, and your eligibility.
Route 1: Fully managed, whole-home upgrade
Route 1 is a fully managed, whole-home energy upgrade route designed to deliver a deeper retrofit with minimal hassle for the homeowner. It’s managed end-to-end by an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop — covering everything from the initial energy assessment and grant applications, to appointing contractors and completing the final BER.
This approach is typically aimed at achieving at least a BER B2, with multiple upgrades delivered as part of one co-ordinated project (for example insulation, windows, a heat pump, and solar PV).
SEAI home energy upgrades
Route 2: Better Energy Homes
The Better Energy Homes route allows you to upgrade your home step by step, at your own pace. It offers flexibility for homeowners who want to improve energy efficiency gradually or work within a defined budget.
How Route 2 works
With Route 2, you remain in control of your project. You can complete individual upgrades as and when it suits you, rather than carrying out a full retrofit in one go.
You can manage the works yourself and hire contractors from the SEAI-registered list, or choose to work with a registered One Stop Shop to apply for the grants on your behalf. This route offers greater flexibility, while still providing access to SEAI grant support.
What upgrade options are available?
Here are the major categories of upgrade works that qualify, choose the right mix for your home with professional guidance.
Upgrade options
Choose the right measures for your home
Start with fabric (roof, walls, floors, air-tightness), then modernise heating & controls. Add renewables and, where needed, upgrade windows & doors for the best comfort and BER gains.
Attic / Roof Insulation
- Top-up or full re-insulation
- Attic, flat roofs or rafters
Wall Insulation
- Cavity wall fill (where applicable)
- Internal insulation (dry-lining)
- External insulation “wrap”.
Floor / Slab Insulation
- Insulate floor voids or slab
- Reduce heat loss and drafts
Air-Tightness & Ventilation
- Improve seals to windows/doors
- Mechanical ventilation (e.g. MVHR) where relevant
Heat Pump Systems
- Air-to-water or air-to-air (house-dependent)
- Low-temperature, steady comfort
Boiler / System Upgrades
- Replace older boilers or consider hybrids
- Upgrade emitters & pipework for efficiency
Smart Heating Controls
- Zoning & programmable thermostats
- Reduce running costs with better control
Solar PV
- Generate electricity for self-consumption
- Lower bills; BER improvement
Solar Thermal
- Solar hot water production
- Pairs well with insulated cylinder
Hot Water Efficiency
- Heat-pump water heaters
- Efficient cylinders & controls
High-Performance Windows
- Double/triple glazing; thermally broken frames
- Lower U-values, less heat loss
External Doors
- Improved seals & insulated cores
- Comfort + security + efficiency
Why bundle upgrades
Why choose a bundled Home Energy Upgrade
Complete multiple improvements in one coordinated project. You’ll reduce disruption, maximise grant support and create a warmer, healthier, energy-efficient home.
Whole-home approach
Upgrading several elements together achieves greater performance and comfort than isolated works.
Better payback
Combining insulation, heating and renewables delivers deeper savings and stronger long-term value.
Comfort and health
Even temperatures, fewer drafts and improved indoor air quality throughout the home.
Future proofing
Be ready for low-temperature heating, EV charging and rising energy costs.
Grant efficiency
Use funding more effectively and complete everything in one well-managed project.
Project management
No need to manage contractors, grants or schedules — everything is coordinated for you from start to finish.
How it works with Lough Projects
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1. Initial Consultation
Initial call with a member of our team to discuss your home, understand your goals and outline the potential upgrade options available.
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2. Survey & Home Energy Assessment
A site survey and Home Energy Assessment is completed. Following this, you receive a detailed scope of works along with a clear quotation for the proposed upgrades.
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3. Project Delivery
Contracts are signed and pre-construction activities begin. Site mobilisation takes place and the agreed scope of works is delivered and professionally managed throughout the project.
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4. Project Close Out
Final quality checks are completed on all works. A post-works BER assessment is carried out and all documentation, certificates and warranties are issued.