Approved Housing Bodies can get SEAI grants for each energy upgrade, up to €16,500 for a heat pump, through a One Stop Shop. See the grant amounts, who qualifies and how KORE Retrofit runs the process.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) can get SEAI grants for energy upgrades to social housing through the One Stop Shop scheme, including €16,500 for a heat pump system in a house when it is combined with the central heating and boiler scrappage (seai.ie, October 2026). A One Stop Shop such as KORE Retrofit manages the whole upgrade for you, from the first assessment and design to the grant, the works on site and the final BER.
Who this is for: housing, asset and maintenance managers at Approved Housing Bodies planning energy upgrades to homes built before 2011.
How much can an AHB get for each upgrade?
The grant depends on the measure and the type of home, from €900 for cavity wall insulation in an apartment to €16,500 for a heat pump in a house, with the central heating and boiler scrappage grants. Amounts below are per seai.ie, October 2026.
Insulation, windows and project management grants for AHBs
| Measure | Apartment | Mid-terrace | Semi-D / end of terrace | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling insulation (attic) | €1,400 | €1,800 | €1,900 | €2,500 |
| Rafter insulation | €2,000 | €3,000 | €3,500 | €3,500 |
| Cavity wall insulation | €900 | €1,100 | €1,700 | €2,300 |
| External wall insulation (the wrap) | €3,500 | €4,500 | €8,000 | €10,000 |
| Internal wall insulation (dry lining) | €2,000 | €2,500 | €4,250 | €5,500 |
| Windows (complete) | €3,500 | €4,500 | €6,000 | €7,000 |
| Project management (SEAI grant line) | €800 | €1,200 | €1,600 | €2,000 |
Grant amounts per seai.ie, October 2026. Grants change, so check the SEAI page for the current amounts.
Heating grants for AHBs
| Measure | House | Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump system | €12,500 | €9,500 |
| Central heating (for a heat pump) | €2,000 | €1,000 |
| Boiler scrappage | €2,000 | €2,000 |
| Heat pump air-to-air | €10,000 | €8,000 |
| Heating controls only | €700 | €700 |
Grant amounts per seai.ie, October 2026. Grants change, so check the SEAI page for the current amounts.
Other grants for AHBs (all home types)
| Measure | Grant |
|---|---|
| Floor insulation | €4,500 |
| External doors (max. 2) | €1,500 per door |
| Mechanical ventilation | €2,000 |
| Air tightness | €1,000 |
| Solar thermal | €1,200 |
| Solar PV | €700 per kWp up to 2 kWp, plus €200 per extra kWp up to 4 kWp. Capped at €1,800 (€1,400 for 2 kWp, €1,600 for 3 kWp, €1,800 for 4 kWp) |
| Home Energy Assessment | €350 |
Grant amounts per seai.ie, October 2026. Grants change, so check the SEAI page for the current amounts.
Which AHB homes qualify for a One Stop Shop grant?
Homes qualify if they are owned by a registered AHB and were built and occupied before 2011. To apply, an AHB needs:
A valid registration with the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA).
A letter confirming the homes are owned by the AHB.
Homes built and occupied before 2011.
Every home is different. The Home Energy Assessment shows which measures each home needs, which is why the design comes before the price.
Why use a One Stop Shop instead of applying for grants yourself?
A One Stop Shop opens up a wider range of grants than managing the project yourself (seai.ie, October 2026), and it puts 1 accountable organisation between your board and the work on site.
With KORE Retrofit, we review your housing stock, design the upgrades, carry out the works through our approved contractors, handle the grant administration and quality-check every home from start to finish. that means:
The grant comes off the bill up front. You pay the balance, not the full cost and then wait for a refund.
We carry the risk if a job fails inspection. Because KORE deducts the grant at the start, a failed inspection is KORE's loss, not yours.
The design is checked before anyone goes to site. Every job gets a design review and compliance check first, so you know the homes will reach the BER the grant needs.
Vetted contractors from our network. Only registered, trusted contractors work on your homes, and we check their work at set stages.
The paperwork is handled. Grant applications, compliance documents and the final BER, in 1 place. KORE also gives AHBs access to EEOS energy credits
For a housing body, where several people have to sign off, that gives your team 1 contact, 1 process and a clear record for each home.
How does an AHB upgrade work with KORE Retrofit?
The process is the same as for homeowners: KORE designs the upgrade, handles the grant and checks the quality, and contractors from our network do the work on site.
Home Energy Assessment. We assess each home and find the measures that will reach the required BER.
Design review and compliance check. The upgrade is designed and checked before anything goes to site.
Grant application. We apply to SEAI on your behalf, and the grant is taken off your price.
Pre-start meeting and contractor onboarding. Everyone knows the plan, the homes and the standard before work begins.
Mid-works quality check. We check the work while it is still open to inspection.
Final quality check. We check the finished work against the design.
Final BER. The home gets its new BER, which completes the grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AHB homes get higher grants than private homes? For certain measures, yes (seai.ie, October 2026). Check the SEAI AHB page for the current amounts.
Which homes are eligible? Homes owned by a registered AHB, built and occupied before 2011, that will reach at least a B BER after the works, with a heat pump or a 100 kWh/m²/yr energy uplift.
Do we have to pay the full cost and claim the grant back? No. KORE Retrofit takes the SEAI grant off the price up front. You pay the balance.
What happens if a job fails inspection? Because KORE deducts the grant at the start, KORE carries the loss if a job fails inspection, not the AHB.
Is there a grant for the Home Energy Assessment? Yes. The grant is €350 per home (seai.ie, October 2026).
Sources
Grants are provided by the Government of Ireland through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).