The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has renewed calls for homes built before 2006 to get an energy upgrade, claiming savings of up to €600 a year on an average heating bill of €1,850.

External wall insulation grants were increased earlier this year and the roll out of heat pump grants is slated for April. 

These are available through the Better Energy Homes scheme.

Energy upgrades can be costly, with some estimates for ‘deep retrofit’ as high as €30,000, according to the Tipperary Energy Agency. A deep retrofit leads to near-zero energy bills. 

The benefits however are in lower running costs and improved health benefits, as evidence from researchers suggests. 

A reduced reliance on buying fossil fuels is another clear benefit.

Minister for Energy Denis Naughten said: “Already, over 370,000 homes in Ireland have availed of home energy grants. The best way to reduce your energy costs in the long-term is to simply use less. There are a range of grants available for attic and wall insulation, heating upgrades and solar thermal. At the very least, we are asking people to find out more about the extra supports now available and to see what might be suitable for their home. Now more than ever, we need to see people take action where they can, and the additional support we are putting in place should help make this happen.”