Thousands could be eligible for free home upgrades with handy scheme

Thousands of people could be eligible to get free upgrades on their home thanks to a handy scheme.

The Warmer Homes Scheme provides free home energy upgrades to homeowners who get certain social welfare payments. These upgrades help improve the energy efficiency and warmth of your home.

The scheme prioritises the oldest and least energy efficient homes. You can apply for the free upgrades again if you’ve already had work done under the scheme, but your home would benefit from more upgrades, according to RSVP Live.

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To access the scheme again you must still meet the qualifying criteria. Here’s everything you need to know about who qualifies and how to apply.

What does the Warmer Homes Scheme cover?

The scheme covers these home energy upgrades:

• Attic insulation
• Wall insulation – including cavity wall, internal wall and external wall insulation
• Draught-proofing
• Lagging jackets
• Energy efficient lighting
• Energy advice

New central heating systems and replacement windows are also occasionally covered by the scheme. Your windows will only be replaced if your walls are being insulated at the same time and the existing windows are single-glazed windows. The SEAI decides if replacement windows are needed on a case by case basis.

Who qualifies for the scheme?

To qualify for this scheme you must meet these criteria:

• You must own your home and be living in it
• Your home must have been built and occupied before 2006
• Your home must have a BER of C,D,E,F or G
• You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment.

The social welfare payments that qualify for the scheme are:

• Fuel Allowance
• Working Family Payment
• Jobseeker’s Allowance for over 6 months and have a child aged under 7
• Disability Allowance for over 6 months and have a child aged under 7
• Domiciliary Care Allowance
• One Parent Family Payment
• Carer’s Allowance and you must live with the person you care for

You will not be charged for work done under this scheme. However, if you sell your home within 5 years of getting the work done, you need to tell the SEAI. You should inform them in writing at least 30 days before your property is sold. The SEAI may ask you to repay some or all of the grant. This is at their discretion.

How to avail of the scheme

There are 4 steps to this process:

• Apply for the scheme online or by completing an application form (pdf) and sending it back to the SEAI. You must ensure you meet the qualifying criteria above when applying. You can use the SEAI online portal to check if you qualify.
• Have an SEAI surveyor check your home is suitable for the works and recommend upgrades. The SEAI will do this if you qualify.
• Get the works done by a contractor appointed by the SEAI
• Get the works assessed by the SEAI once the works are completed. This will include a new BER assessment and may involve a quality inspection.

You need to provide evidence that you qualify for the scheme. Full details of the information needed are on the application form. If you are getting a qualifying payment other than Carer’s Allowance, you no longer need to get the Department of Social Protection to complete part of the application form. The SEAI will check your eligibility with the DSP.

If you qualify for the scheme because you are getting Carers Allowance, you must also complete the Carer’s Allowance Confirmation Form (pdf).

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