Buying your first home is a milestone, but if that home is a “pre-loved” property, the excitement often comes with a side of “it’s freezing in here.”
As of March 2026, the SEAI has introduced specific boosts for first-time buyers to help turn drafty older houses into modern, energy-efficient homes. Here are the five smartest upgrades to prioritize.
1. The New €2,500 Attic Insulation Grant
The attic is the biggest “heat leak” in any older house. While standard attic grants are available to everyone, a new 2026 incentive for First-Time Buyers has boosted this grant to €2,500. This often covers the entire cost of high-spec insulation, meaning you can stop heat escaping through your roof for potentially zero net cost.
Check out more information on this here
2. High-Performance Windows & Doors
Until recently, you couldn’t get a standalone grant for windows. That changed this year. You can now claim up to €4,000 for windows and €800 per external door.
- The FTB Tip: To qualify, your home’s “fabric” (walls and attic) must already be well-insulated. If you’re doing the attic (see above), you’re halfway to unlocking this window grant.
More information on this grant here
3. Solar PV (Electricity) Panels
With a grant of up to €1,800, Solar PV remains one of the most popular upgrades for new homeowners. It’s an “install and forget” technology that immediately slashes your monthly utility bills.
- Why now? If you are already getting scaffolding for roof or gutter repairs during your initial move-in renovation, adding solar panels is significantly cheaper and less disruptive.
4. The “Second Wall Measure” for Better Comfort
Many first-time buyers find that a previous owner “pumped the walls” with cavity insulation years ago, but the house is still cold. Under the new 2026 rules, you can now apply for a grant for a second wall measure. This means even if the house had cavity work done in 2010, you can now get a grant for Internal Dry Lining or External Wall Insulation (up to €8,000) to finally finish the job.
5. Smart Heating Controls
If your “new” old home has a functional boiler but ancient dial thermostats, the €700 Smart Heating Control grant is a quick win. It allows you to install zoned heating and phone-app controls. It’s the least invasive upgrade and ensures you aren’t heating the whole house when you’re only using the home office.