Homeowners across Ireland are being urged to invest in home energy upgrades as part of a new campaign.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading a campaign to encourage people to take advantage of Government-funded home energy upgrade grants ahead of the cold winter months.

Declan Meally, Director of Business and Public Sector with SEAI, said: "Over 450,000 families in Ireland will enjoy a warmer, cosier, more energy efficient home this winter having already begun their home energy upgrade journey with the support of SEAI. As we head into the winter, now is the perfect time for people to upgrade their home and enjoy a whole new world of comfort."

SEAI recommends that homeowners considering a home energy upgrade start with a Building Energy Rating or BER assessment, carried out by a SEAI registered assessor. The assessor will prepare a personalised advisory report for your home setting out the necessary upgrades to bring it up to the modern efficiency and comfort standards.

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Declan Meally continued: "Once you get your personalised advisory report you will know exactly what your home needs. You'll also have a broad idea on the cost of the upgrade and the grants available to help fund the works."

There are a range of Government-funded home energy upgrade grants available through SEAI. These provide up to 30% of the overall cost of works on a variety of energy upgrades. Homeowners can apply for individual grants for insulation, heating controls, heat pumps and solar panels. The grants are fixed amounts ranging from €400 up to €6,000 depending on the works to be undertaken and the size of house. Alternatively, homeowners can avail of the one stop shop service currently being offered by several companies. These one stop shops will manage the whole process, including grant application and works, on behalf of homeowners. SEAI also offers free home energy upgrades to qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain social welfare benefits.

Homeowners who invest in a home energy upgrade feel the benefits almost immediately. Cormac Madden upgraded his South County Dublin home in 2016.

Commenting on his experience, Cormac added: "We did this because we wanted to move away from fossil fuels and lower our carbon emissions. We thought the house was fairly warm previously, but it would get cold if you turned the heating off. Now it's always warm and there are no draughts either. We have a constant, comfortable temperature inside and it doesn't matter what's going on outside. I'm glad we've done it now because our sons are still living with us and it won't be long before they go, so they've benefited from it too."

Cormac shares his home energy upgrade story on the upcoming season of SEAI's podcast, 180 Degrees.