IMPROVING THE ENERGY efficiency of your home is a great way to save money on your energy bills while also making your home a more comfortable, more valuable asset. 

Not only that, but thanks to government-backed loans available through participating finance providers, you don’t have to go it alone. With the Home Energy Upgrade Loan scheme, homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 up to ten years. The purpose of the loan is to support homeowners who are carrying out energy upgrades with grant funding from SEAI.

Interest rates on the Home Energy Upgrade Loan start from as low as 2.99%. Loans under this scheme can be used to finance either individual upgrades or a complete upgrade, as long as the result of the upgrades will bring your home’s BER up by 20%. 

There are several benefits to the Home Energy Upgrade Loan that allow you to tailor your approach to your needs. The cost of your energy upgrades can be spread out over time, and the loan can be drawn down before work begins. Another particularly enticing incentive is that up to 25% of the loan can be spent on non-energy-related works, such as decorating your home. 

These low-cost loans are available through participating finance providers, including banks and some credit unions. To start your home energy upgrade journey, first contact an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop or an SEAI Community Project Coordinator who will help you to access financial supports, including SEAI grants and the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.

Once that’s done, you can apply for a low-cost loan with one of the participating finance providers listed here on the SBCI website.