SEAI data · 2025–2026
SEAI reported over 58,000 upgrades in 2025 and a sharp rise in early 2026 applications. Here is how to plan the trades and scope.
Interest in making Irish homes warmer and more efficient is rising, but an application for a grant is not the same thing as a finished upgrade. The distinction matters when you are choosing between insulation, new windows, a heat pump or a whole-home plan.
How many home energy upgrades are happening in Ireland?
In its January 2026 year-end statement, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) said over 58,000 home energy upgrades were completed during 2025, 8% more than in the previous year. The statement also said more than 8,000 homes at risk of fuel poverty received a free upgrade through the Warmer Homes Scheme in 2025.
Its April 2026 update reported that SEAI processed 29,000 grant applications from January to March 2026 and that overall applications were 96% higher than in Q1 2025. It reported over 7,000 applications for the new windows and doors grant, over 1,730 for attic insulation, over 1,000 for cavity wall insulation and over 350 for heat pumps in that quarter.
| SEAI measure | Period | Reported figure |
|---|---|---|
| Completed home energy upgrades | Full year 2025 | Over 58,000 |
| Grant applications processed | January–March 2026 | 29,000 |
| Windows and doors grant applications | January–March 2026 | Over 7,000 |
| Attic insulation grant applications | January–March 2026 | Over 1,730 |
Keep the measures separate: a completed upgrade is work already carried out; a grant application is a request for support. Application counts do not establish installer lead times, the number of completed jobs, or your household’s grant eligibility. Figures above are the dates and categories SEAI reported, not a forecast.
Which work should you scope first?
Start with the condition of your home, your BER information and the main sources of heat loss. For many households, an attic insulation quote or an assessment of wall insulation can be a useful first step. If you are planning a heating change, assess the building fabric and heat requirements before selecting equipment. Our heat pump guide and heating systems comparison cover the questions to ask.
Ask for a written, property-specific scope. Include measures such as ventilation, associated electrical work, access, making good and certification where applicable. A quick estimate based only on national statistics cannot replace a site survey.
How do you find suitable retrofit trades?
- Identify the measures. If you need insulation, see insulation contractors across Ireland; for a heating change, consider experienced plumbing and heating trades and the electrical work involved.
- Check the grant route. Confirm on the current SEAI website whether your home and chosen works qualify, which contractor registrations are required, and whether approval must be in place before works begin.
- Compare quotations. Request a breakdown of products, scope, timelines, warranties and exclusions. Ask who will handle any inspection, paperwork and grant claim. Check credentials against our certificates and insurance checklist.
- Plan related work. Coordinate electricians, installers and any builders if more than one trade is needed. Review our insulation and BER guide for the bigger picture.
SEAI’s published demand figures are a reason to set out your project clearly when seeking quotations; they do not prove there is a waitlist in your county. Our SEAI grants guide offers a starting point for the different support routes, but always verify current terms directly with SEAI before committing.
Quick questions about the SEAI figures
Were 29,000 homes upgraded in Q1 2026?
The 29,000 figure refers to grant applications processed, not completed homes. Do not use it as a count of installations.
Does a rise in applications guarantee a grant for my project?
No. Eligibility depends on your home, the measure, the scheme and the current SEAI conditions.
Official data and further reading
- SEAI: 2025 year-end statement
- SEAI: Q1 2026 application figures
- SEAI: current home energy upgrade information
Ready to describe your upgrade?
Include your county, property type, proposed measures and whether you are applying for SEAI support. Trade Source IRE can help you request a tradesman for your project.