In this episode of Behind the Walls, Roy, Ferg (aka The Retrofit Guy), and special guest Stephen from the SEAI break down the latest Irish home energy grant changes and what they actually mean for homeowners.

With recent grant increases and new measures announced, the lads cut through the noise and misinformation to explain:

• What grants have increased
• Who is eligible (and who isn’t)
• The truth about windows & doors grants
• How to upgrade your home step by step, without wasting money
• Why insulation still comes before shiny upgrades
• How to create a long-term retrofit pathway that leads to heat pumps and lower bills

This is a must-listen for homeowners, first-time buyers, and anyone thinking about energy upgrades in 2025 and beyond.

Timecodes

00:00 – Welcome & introduction
00:45 – Grant increases announced: what’s changed and why it matters
02:10 – Heat pump grants explained (€12.5k breakdown)
03:45 – One Stop Shop vs individual grants
04:28 – New high-temperature heat pump pilot (boiler-style heat pumps)
06:45 – Who high-temp heat pumps are best suited for
07:38 – Attic & cavity wall insulation grant increases
09:10 – How to apply for individual grants (step-by-step)
10:12 – Why insulation is still the best first upgrade
12:00 – Comfort vs cost: why insulation changes everything
14:50 – Registered contractors vs “cheap jobs” explained
18:25 – Windows & doors grants: what everyone is asking
19:03 – Windows & doors now available as standalone grants
20:16 – Eligibility rules: attic & walls must be “good” or “very good”
21:13 – BER advisory reports explained simply
22:00 – Why windows aren’t a free-for-all
24:17 – Why a home energy assessment is essential
26:04 – Creating a realistic retrofit pathway over time
27:27 – First-time buyer enhanced insulation grants
28:23 – Why One Stop Shops still matter
29:16 – Airtightness, ventilation & hidden upgrades
30:06 – Project management realities homeowners underestimate
32:24 – Breaking down the windows & doors pathway clearly
34:08 – External wall insulation vs internal dry lining
36:35 – Easy wins: attic + cavity wall first
38:12 – Heat pumps myths vs reality
39:36 – Why solar PV should be the “cherry on top”
41:34 – Can you get a second wall insulation grant?
43:03 – Extra supports for energy-poor households
44:00 – Final thoughts: spending money in the right order