Home Energy Upgrade Loan in Ireland

Last reviewed: October 2026

A loan is funding to repay, not another grant

SEAI grants can reduce the eligible cost of an upgrade. A loan finances spending and must be repaid under the lender’s terms. DanannIQ does not add borrowed funds to potential grants, subtract them from the project cost or provide repayment calculations. A planning estimate is not a loan offer.

Start with the gross project budget and potential grants. Then establish which remaining works qualify for the official loan scheme before discussing finance.

Official range, term and delivery requirements

• Unsecured loans from €5,000 to €75,000 per qualifying property, for terms of 1–10 years.
• Works must qualify for SEAI grant support and be delivered through an SEAI-registered One Stop Shop or Community Project Coordinator.
• The proposed works must achieve at least a 20% improvement in the building’s current energy performance, assessed against a valid BER.
• At least 75% of the loan must cover eligible energy-upgrade cost after deducting the SEAI grant. Up to 25% can cover permitted non-energy works.

The scheme concerns qualifying properties in the Republic of Ireland. SBCI currently states availability up to 31 December 2026 unless fully allocated earlier. Check availability and current conditions with the SBCI loan conditions and participating finance providers before relying on that date.

Which works can fit?

Eligible fabric and renewable-heating work can form part of an approved project. Standalone Solar PV is not eligible for a loan under this scheme; PV may fit within a qualifying deeper retrofit. An ordinary grant application with independently arranged installers does not by itself satisfy the scheme’s delivery requirements.

The permitted non-energy portion can help with associated redecoration or other allowed work, but this is not an unrestricted renovation loan. Ask the coordinator and lender to classify the scope. The 75% requirement uses the grant-deducted energy cost, so a gross energy quote is not sufficient evidence.

The grant-route comparison helps you understand delivery options. Your calculator or BER plan does not certify the required 20% energy improvement or scheme eligibility.

Two steps to apply

1. Plan the works with a registered OSS or Community Project Coordinator. They assess the intended improvement and provide the signed Home Energy Summary Report needed for the loan application.
2. Apply to a participating finance provider with that report and the lender’s required information. The lender makes the credit decision under its own criteria.

The Home Energy Summary Report is separate from a BER Advisory Report and is not credit approval. SEAI says completed works cannot be financed retrospectively through this scheme. Coordinate loan and grant applications before starting the supported work.

Finance providers and borrowing decisions

The official list includes banks, An Post Money and participating credit unions. Use SBCI’s current directory for availability and eligibility in your area. Terms differ: obtain the lender’s written offer and review its repayment obligations, fees and conditions. This guide makes no provider recommendation or prediction of approval.

Scheme compliance matters throughout the project. SBCI warns that failure to meet the conditions can lead to removal from the scheme and a lender seeking repayment or moving the loan to a higher interest rate. Confirm the final contract, scope and funding split with the coordinator and lender.

Bring finance into the wider plan

For older homes or a recent purchase, allow for surveys, defects, fees and finishing work before deciding what to borrow. Use the calculator or BER planner to organise costs and potential grants, then take an assessed scope to the provider. DanannIQ does not calculate APR, monthly repayments or total borrowing cost.

Official sources

Official grant information checked on 7 October 2026. Follow the measure-specific rules and your grant offer; announcements may precede detailed implementation guidance.

• SEAI Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme
• SBCI loan conditions and participating finance providers
• SEAI One Stop Shop: eligibility, services and grant schedule

Read our Methodology & data sources or view all guides for the assumptions behind DanannIQ estimates.