If you live in Ireland and want to lower your home heating bills, the Heating Controls Upgrade Grant is one of the easiest grants you can apply for right now.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) pays you €700 toward upgrading the heating controls in your home. This grant is part of Ireland’s Better Energy Homes scheme — a government programme that helps homeowners make their homes warmer and cheaper to run.
In simple terms: you upgrade your heating controls, and the government gives you €700 back to help cover the cost.
How Much Is the Heating Controls Grant in 2026?
The SEAI pays a flat grant of €700 for a qualifying heating controls upgrade. This amount has been confirmed and is available as of early 2026 under the Better Energy Homes scheme.
This makes it one of the most affordable and straightforward SEAI grants to claim. You do not need to do a full home retrofit or install a heat pump to get this money. It is a standalone grant you can apply for on its own.
What Does the Grant Cover?
To qualify for the full €700, your upgrade must include all four of the following:
- A room thermostat (or wireless programmable thermostat) — lets you set the temperature you want in your home
- Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) — fitted to each radiator, these control how warm each individual room gets
- A time clock or programmer — lets you set exact times for your heating to turn on and off
- Zone controls — lets you heat different parts of the house (for example, upstairs and downstairs) separately
All four of these items must be installed together for the upgrade to qualify. You cannot claim the grant for just one or two of them.
Who Can Apply for the Heating Controls Grant?
The heating controls grant is open to:
- Homeowners in Ireland with a property built and occupied before 2011
- Landlords — yes, landlords qualify too, as long as the property was built and occupied before 2011
The grant applies to all property types, including:
- Detached houses
- Semi-detached houses
- Terraced houses
- Apartments
Important: You are not eligible for this grant if you are applying for — or have previously received — a heat pump grant from SEAI for the same property.
Why Should You Upgrade Your Heating Controls?
Many Irish homes waste a lot of energy because their heating systems are old and uncontrolled. A boiler without proper controls runs longer than it needs to and heats rooms that nobody is using.
Upgrading your heating controls can:
- Cut your heating bills by stopping wasted heat
- Make your home more comfortable by keeping temperatures steady
- Reduce your carbon footprint by burning less gas or oil
- Improve your home’s BER (Building Energy Rating) — useful if you ever sell or rent your home
You can also heat your hot water separately from your central heating once zone controls are fitted — so you are not heating the whole house just to get a hot shower.
How to Apply for the Heating Controls Upgrade Grant
Applying is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Upgrade
Decide you want heating controls as your upgrade. You can combine this with other SEAI grants (like attic insulation or wall insulation) if you wish.
Step 2: Get Quotes
Contact SEAI-registered contractors and ask for quotes. You must use an SEAI-registered contractor — the work will not qualify if done by someone not on the SEAI register.
Step 3: Apply Online
Go to seai.ie and apply online for the grant before any work begins. Do not start the work first — SEAI will not pay a grant for work that was done before the application was approved.
Step 4: Get Your Approval
Your application should be approved quickly — often within minutes online. SEAI will send you a letter of offer. You then have 30 days to accept the offer, and 8 months from the offer date to complete the work and draw down the grant.
Step 5: Complete the Work
Have your SEAI-registered contractor complete the heating controls installation.
Step 6: Get Paid
Submit your payment forms to SEAI. The €700 is paid directly to you after the work is done.
Alternatively, you can go through a One Stop Shop — an SEAI-approved provider who manages the whole process from start to finish. In this case, the grant is deducted from your bill upfront, so you never have to handle the paperwork yourself.
How Much Will the Full Job Cost?
The typical cost to install a full set of heating controls (including a thermostat, TRVs, a time clock, and zone controls) can vary depending on your home’s size and the contractor you choose. However, larger homes generally require more extensive work and additional components, which can increase the overall cost. In addition, installation rates may differ between contractors based on their experience and location.
Therefore, it is a good idea to obtain several quotes before making a decision. By comparing options, you can find the best balance between cost and quality while ensuring the system meets your home’s heating needs.However, the €700 grant takes a meaningful chunk off the bill, and heating controls installations are generally one of the most affordable energy upgrades available.
According to SEAI data, heating controls are among the cheapest starting points for any home energy upgrade in Ireland.
Can I Combine This With Other SEAI Grants?
Yes. The heating controls grant can be combined with many other SEAI Better Energy Homes grants, including:
- Attic insulation — up to €2,000 (or €2,500 for first-time buyers and welfare recipients)
- Wall insulation — for cavity or external walls
- Solar PV panels — for generating your own electricity
- Windows and doors — new from March 2026
- Heat pump grant — up to €12,500 (note: if you claim the heat pump grant, you cannot also claim the heating controls grant for the same property)
Combining grants lets you tackle multiple upgrades at once and get the maximum benefit for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I apply for the heating controls grant as a landlord? Yes. Landlords can apply for the heating controls grant as long as the property was built and occupied before 2011.
Q: Do I need to get the work done before I apply? No. You must apply and get approval before the work starts. Work done before approval will not be covered.
Q: How long does SEAI take to approve the application? Online applications are often approved within minutes. Postal applications typically take about 5 working days.
Q: Is the grant available in Dublin, Cork, Galway and other areas? Yes. The SEAI heating controls grant is available nationwide across all of Ireland — including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, and rural areas.
Q: What if I already have a heat pump? If you have already claimed a heat pump grant for your property, you cannot also claim the heating controls grant for the same home.
Q: Can I do the work myself? No. The work must be carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor. DIY installation does not qualify.
Quick Summary: Heating Controls Grant 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | €700 |
| Who Can Apply | Homeowners and landlords (pre-2011 properties) |
| Property Types | Detached, semi-detached, terraced, apartments |
| What’s Required | Room thermostat, TRVs, time clock, zone controls |
| Apply Through | seai.ie or a One Stop Shop |
| Apply Before or After Work | Before — must be approved first |
| Time to Complete After Offer | 8 months |
Conclusion
The Heating Controls Upgrade Grant is one of the simplest and quickest SEAI grants to access in Ireland in 2026. At €700, it is not the biggest grant available, but for homeowners not yet ready for a full heat pump installation, it is a practical and cost-effective first step toward a warmer, cheaper-to-run home.
If you have an older oil or gas boiler and your heating controls are outdated, this grant can make an immediate difference to your comfort and your bills — and it takes only a few minutes to apply online at seai.ie.