IT MIGHT NOT feel like it right now but winter is fast approaching, so it’s a smart time to think about the energy efficiency of your home.

We all know that once the temperature starts dropping and we’re all spending more time at home with the heating on that bills can quickly become a cause of stress. 

That’s why this week, we’re asking financial advisor Paul Merriman of Ask Paul for his advice on how you can bring your bills down and make your home more sustainable by taking steps to improve your energy efficiency rating. 

Read on for concrete, actionable advice about how much you can save over time by upgrading your home. 

All figures cited below are based on SEAI and CRU published data as of August 2025.

What are some of the challenges that households are facing when it comes to energy bills these days? And what are the advantages of having a better BER rating?

Over the past few weeks, Irish households have faced sharp increases in electricity and heating costs.. Even though wholesale prices have started to ease, bills remain well above pre-crisis levels, according to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Quarterly Report for the first quarter of the year.

Poorly insulated homes lose up to 30% of their heat through the walls and roof. A better Building Energy Rating (BER) not only improves comfort but can add between 1% and 5% to property value.

From a financial planning perspective, investing in a better BER is one of the few home improvements that pays you back month after month.

With winter coming, what can households do to bring their bills down by improving the energy efficiency of their home? How does this work?

Upgrading attic insulation can save a typical semi-detached home up to €400 a year in heating costs. 

If your boiler is older than 15 years, replacing it with a high-efficiency condensing model can reduce heating costs by up to 25%, according to the SEAI. Draught-proofing, smart thermostats, and LED lighting can collectively save €150–€250 annually, with very low upfront costs. 

What kind of solutions are available from An Post Money when it comes to assisting customers in financing these energy-efficiency solutions? Why is the SBCI Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme a good option for homeowners looking to improve their energy efficiency?

Participating in the SBCI Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, An Post Money offers low fixed-rate loans for energy upgrades from 3.75% APR (Annual Percentage Rate) making projects affordable without high-interest borrowing. With An Post Money, you can also borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 and repay over 1 to 10 years. An Post Money offers fixed-rate loans to help you know your repayments and plan with confidence.

Loans can be drawn down before work begins and combined with SEAI grants, significantly reducing net costs and improving payback times.

What would you say to someone who wants to improve the energy efficiency of their home but doesn’t know where to start?

The first step should be a BER assessment or SEAI home energy survey, which will give a clear roadmap of works in priority order.

Always use SEAI-registered contractors to ensure eligibility for grants and quality assurance.

Renovating a home for energy efficiency can be costly. How can a household expect to make this money back through savings? What grants are available to reduce the cost for homeowners?

Cutting household energy bills by 20–40% is realistic with targeted upgrades. The average Irish home spends about €2,500–€3,000 annually on energy, so a 30% saving equals €750–€900 per year back in your pocket. 

SEAI grants can cover up to 50% of costs for eligible works, depending on household income and property type. 

Information correct as of 1 September 2025. Source: CCPC.ie. Lending criteria, T&Cs apply. At least 75% of the loan must be used for energy efficiency purposes.

*Representative example: In the case of a €20,000 loan over 5 years, at an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 3.75%, you will pay €365.54 a month. The total cost of credit would be €1,932.35, and the total amount repayable would be €21,932.35. 

An Post acts as a credit intermediary on behalf of Bankinter S.A., who provide loan and credit card services and facilities. An Post trading as An Post Money is authorised as a credit intermediary by the CCPC.

Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules.