Get Your Home Heat Pump Ready: New €2,000 Boiler Scrappage Grant Coming soon…
Ireland’s journey towards warmer, more energy-efficient homes has taken another significant step forward. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, has announced plans for a new boiler scrappage scheme that could provide homeowners with an additional €2,000 grant to replace ageing oil and kerosene boilers with cleaner, more efficient heating systems. The proposal is expected to go before Cabinet for approval, with the scheme potentially launching in January 2027.
For homeowners considering a retrofit, this announcement could help make the move away from fossil fuel heating more affordable than ever!
What Is the Proposed Boiler Scrappage Scheme?
Under the proposed scheme, homeowners with older oil or kerosene boilers could receive an additional €2,000 grant when replacing their heating system. This funding would be available on top of existing SEAI heat pump grants, which currently offer supports of up to €12,500 for eligible homes. This means some homeowners could potentially access a combined package of up to €14,500 towards upgrading their heating system.
While the full eligibility criteria have yet to be confirmed, the scheme is expected to focus on older boilers that have reached the end of their lifespan. Further details are anticipated following Cabinet discussions.
Why Is This Important?
Many homes across Ireland, particularly in rural areas, continue to rely on oil-fired heating systems. Rising fuel costs have put increasing pressure on households, highlighting the need for more sustainable and cost-effective heating solutions. Minister O'Brien has described home retrofitting and the transition to renewable heating as a key way to protect households from future energy price shocks while reducing carbon emissions.
This proposed incentive recognises that replacing a boiler can be a major investment and aims to help more homeowners take the next step towards cleaner heating technologies
More Than Just a Boiler Upgrade
While the new grant focuses on heating systems, it's important to remember that the most effective retrofit starts with improving the building fabric.
Installing a heat pump in a poorly insulated home is like heating a house with the windows open. To maximise comfort, efficiency and energy savings, homeowners should first consider measures such as:
Attic insulation
External or internal wall insulation
Floor insulation
Air tightness improvements
High-performance windows and doors
These upgrades reduce heat loss, meaning your new heating system can operate more efficiently and cost less to run.
Could Your Home Already Be Heat Pump Ready?
One of the biggest misconceptions around heat pumps is that every home requires extensive renovation before installation.
But many homes that have undergone some insulation upgrades or window replacements in recent years may already be closer to heat pump readiness than homeowners realise.
A Bespoke Retrofit Design Plan with KORE Retrofit can determine:
How energy-efficient your home currently is
Which upgrades would deliver the best return
Whether a heat pump is a suitable option
What grant funding may be available
What This Means for Homeowners
The proposed boiler scrappage scheme is a positive development for anyone considering moving away from fossil fuel heating. Combined with existing SEAI supports, it could significantly reduce the upfront cost of transitioning to a modern, low-carbon heating system.
However, grants are only one part of the equation. A whole-house approach to retrofitting delivers the greatest long-term benefits, including:
Lower energy bills
Increased comfort throughout the home
Reduced carbon emissions
Improved BER ratings
Greater protection from future energy price volatility
Greater protection from future energy price volatility
How KORE Retrofit Can Help
At KORE Retrofit, we help homeowners navigate every stage of the retrofit journey.
As an SEAI One Stop Shop, we manage the process from an initial bespoke design plan and grant applications through to installation and project completion.
If you're currently heating your home with an older oil or kerosene boiler, now could be the ideal time to start exploring your options.
By planning ahead, you'll be well positioned to take advantage of any new supports when they become available.
Interested in finding out if your home is ready for a heat pump or a full energy upgrade?
Click below to book a consultation with the KORE Retrofit team today and take the first step towards a warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient home.