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Home Energy Upgrade Loan

A low-cost loan of €5,000 to €75,000 over a term of up to 10 years. Rates are well below the usual market rates but vary by lender. The loan is unsecured, so there is no charge on your home.

Last checked October 2026

What it is

A low-cost, government-backed loan to help fund SEAI grant-eligible home energy upgrades. To apply you need a Home Energy Summary Report signed by a One Stop Shop or Community Project Co-ordinator, a valid BER on your home and an upgrade expected to improve the BER by at least 20%. Loans are available up to 31 December 2026, unless the money runs out first.

Who can get it

You own a home in the Republic of Ireland, resident here and not tax resident in a non-compliant jurisdiction (this is not the same as being an Irish tax resident)
You apply as an individual, not through a company
You get an SEAI grant for the works (the loan helps pay the part the grant does not cover)
The works are carried out by an SEAI registered One Stop Shop or Community Project Coordinator, who gives you the signed Home Energy Summary Report you need to apply
Your home has a valid BER (Building Energy Rating)
The cost of your energy works, after the SEAI grant is taken off, is at least 75% of the loan (up to 25% can go on other home improvements like redecorating). If the loan pays for individual grants rather than a full One Stop Shop upgrade, windows, doors and solar panels also have to come out of that 25%
The upgrade is expected to lift your home's energy rating (BER) by at least 20%. Your One Stop Shop or Community Project Coordinator works this out
You can borrow for up to three properties under the scheme: up to €75,000 per property and up to €225,000 in total

Good to know

It is a government-backed scheme run by the SBCI, offered through banks and some credit unions. Rates are lower than the open market but differ by provider, so it is worth comparing.
You can draw the funds before the work starts, to cover deposits or milestone payments.
The loan is unsecured, so there is no charge over your property as there would be with a mortgage.
The loan must be used to finance eligible upgrade works and an approved loan can be drawn down before the works begin. It cannot refinance an existing loan or pay for oil, gas or other fossil fuel heating. Solar panels on their own do not qualify. Non-energy works are limited to the 25% other-improvements portion. The home cannot have been a holiday home, a short-term let or partly used for business in the 12 months before the loan. It must not be used that way for 12 months afterwards either.
Private landlords can use this loan, for up to three properties under the scheme. The condition is that you own the home, not that you live in it. What is ruled out is short-term letting, holiday homes and properties part used for business, not ordinary renting.
If the works do not go ahead as agreed or you do not meet the eligibility conditions, the loan can be removed from the scheme. Your lender can then demand repayment or move you to a higher interest rate.
Loans are available up to 31 December 2026, unless the scheme's money is fully allocated before then.

How to apply

Applications go through SEAI / SBCI. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

How much can I borrow?

The Home Energy Upgrade Loan runs from €5,000 to €75,000 at a low, government-backed rate, to help fund SEAI grant-eligible home energy upgrades.

Where do I apply?

You apply to one of the lenders in the scheme. The SBCI lists them: AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, An Post Money and seven credit unions (Clonmel, Connect, First South, Listowel, Naomh Breandán, North Midlands and Progressive). Rates differ by lender and no single rate table is published, so compare them.

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