If you’ve been considering upgrading your home to make it warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS) could make your project much more affordable.

Combined with generous SEAI grants, the Government-backed loan scheme gives homeowners access to low-cost finance to complete energy-efficient home improvements without paying the high interest rates typically associated with personal loans.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme in 2026, including who qualifies, what work is covered, and how House2Home can help you through the entire process.

What is the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme?

The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS) is a Government-supported loan programme designed to help homeowners finance eligible energy efficiency improvements.

The scheme has been developed by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), SEAI and the European Investment Bank Group to make home retrofits more affordable.

Unlike a standard personal loan, the scheme offers:

• Lower interest rates
• Loans from €5,000 to €75,000
• Repayment terms of up to 10 years
• No requirement to secure the loan against your home (subject to lender approval)
• The ability to combine the loan with available SEAI grants

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, you must:

• Own a residential property in the Republic of Ireland
• Be carrying out works that qualify for an SEAI grant
• Complete the works through an SEAI Registered One Stop Shop or eligible Community Project Coordinator
• Achieve a projected minimum 20% improvement in your home’s energy performance
• Use at least 75% of the loan towards eligible energy upgrade works

What Home Improvements Can the Loan Be Used For?

The loan can be used to fund a wide range of energy efficiency improvements, including:

• Attic insulation
• External wall insulation
• Internal wall insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Floor insulation
• High-performance windows and doors
• Heat pump installation
• Mechanical ventilation
• Solar PV systems (as part of a qualifying retrofit)
• Air tightness improvements
• Heating controls
• Other eligible retrofit measures approved by SEAI

Most homeowners combine several of these measures into one complete home energy upgrade to maximise both grant funding and long-term energy savings.

How Much Can You Borrow?

Under the scheme you can borrow:

Compared to many standard home improvement loans, this can represent a significant saving in interest over the lifetime of the loan.

How Does the Process Work?

Applying is much simpler than many homeowners expect.

Step 1: Arrange a Home Energy Assessment

The first step is understanding what improvements your home needs.

At House2Home, we begin with a comprehensive Home Energy Assessment, which identifies:

• Your current BER rating
• The most effective upgrade path
• Expected energy savings
• Estimated project costs
• Available SEAI grants
• Your projected BER after the works

Step 2: Receive Your Upgrade Plan

Following the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed roadmap outlining the recommended upgrades for your home.

This allows you to make informed decisions about your investment and understand exactly what the project will involve.

Step 3: Apply for the Loan

Once your project qualifies, you’ll receive the documentation required to apply with one of the participating finance providers.

Your lender will assess your application in the same way as other personal lending, but under the Government-backed Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.

Step 4: Complete Your Retrofit

Once finance and grants are approved, House2Home manages your project from start to finish.

We coordinate:

• Surveyors
• Designers
• Contractors
• Installers
• Grant administration
• Quality assurance
• BER certification

Meaning you only deal with one company throughout your retrofit.

Can You Combine HEULS With SEAI Grants?

Yes.

In fact, the loan has been specifically designed to work alongside SEAI grant funding.

The grants reduce the overall cost of your project, while the loan helps spread the remaining balance into affordable monthly repayments.

For many homeowners, this makes a deep retrofit much more achievable than paying everything upfront.

Is the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Worth It?

If you’re already planning to improve your home’s energy performance, the answer is often yes.

The scheme can help you:

• Spread the cost over several years
• Benefit from lower interest rates than many standard personal loans
• Improve comfort throughout your home
• Reduce heating bills
• Increase your BER rating
• Increase your property’s value
• Reduce your home’s carbon emissions

Many homeowners also find that completing several upgrades together is more cost-effective than carrying them out individually over a number of years.

Why Choose House2Home?

As an SEAI Registered One Stop Shop, House2Home manages every stage of your retrofit under one roof.

Our team can help you:

• Carry out your Home Energy Assessment
• Design the best upgrade plan for your home
• Maximise your available grants
• Prepare the documentation required for the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
• Manage the entire retrofit from start to finish

Whether you’re planning insulation, windows, solar panels, a heat pump or a complete home energy upgrade, we’re here to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Start Your Home Energy Upgrade Today

If you’re thinking about improving your home’s energy efficiency, now is an excellent time to explore the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme.

With Government-backed low-cost finance, generous SEAI grants and expert project management from House2Home, achieving a warmer, more energy-efficient home has never been more accessible.

Get Your Free Retrofit Cost Estimate

Get your estimate today: https://house2home.ie/calculator/
Chat to a home energy upgrade specialist about the next steps: https://calendly.com/house2home-marketing/30min?month=2026-07