Applications for home energy upgrades have surged in Ireland, with overall applications up 96% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, according to Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien. He briefed Cabinet on the strong early impact of the National Residential Retrofit Plan, introduced in January to make upgrades more affordable and accessible.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) processed 29,000 applications between January and March, as requests for individual measures rose 186% compared with the first quarter of 2025. Backed by a record €640 million allocation in Budget 2026, the government is targeting 73,000 home energy upgrades this year, and SEAI data indicates the retrofit industry is mobilising to meet demand supported by grant funding.

SEAI figures show more than 7,000 applications for the new windows and doors grant; over 1,730 for attic insulation (up 81% year on year); more than 1,000 for cavity wall insulation (up 62%); and over 350 for heat pump installations (up 95%). There were also over 10,000 applications for solar PV (up 65%). By the end of March, more than 1,500 homes at risk of energy poverty had been upgraded under the Warmer Homes scheme at an average cost of €31,000 per home (up 18%), while over 900 heat pumps had been installed (also up 18%).

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Commenting, Minister O'Brien said: "I am delighted to inform government of this very welcome update on the National Residential Retrofit Plan, which I announced just a few months ago. As a government, we committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes – as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability. In the first quarter of the year, data shows a very clear and positive upward trend, with evidence of substantial growth in both demand and output.

"Applications to SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on the first quarter of last year, and overall applications are up 96%. Through the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, we will examine how to support further uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades, and this will inform continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes."

Since 2019, more than 257,000 home energy upgrades have been completed with over €1.7 billion in state funding. The National Energy Affordability Taskforce is leading the response to the energy price shock and will publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan in the third quarter of this year. Its work includes measures to increase uptake of efficiency upgrades and the continued development of SEAI retrofit schemes, aligned with the Programme for Government.

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said: "At a time when energy costs are a concern for many households, the near doubling of applications to SEAI grants this year to date shows the demand for affordable energy upgrades. The new and expanded grants are helping families to get the benefits of a warmer, healthier homes with lower energy costs. Generous grant support is available for windows and doors, attic and wall insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels as well as fully-funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme. Whether you're planning to take it step-by-step, or to do a complete home energy upgrade, SEAI has a grant that will help you on your journey, reduce energy bills and increase comfort."

Separately, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, launched in April 2024, makes €5,000–€75,000 low-cost loans available through PTSB, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Avant Money (with An Post Money) and seven credit unions, with rates starting from 2.99% depending on the provider. To qualify, projects must be supported by an SEAI grant, delivered by an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop or Communities Project Coordinator, and projected to improve a building's energy performance by at least 20%.