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Climate Action: Energy Efficiency in Buildings


Climate Action Plan 2021

The decarbonisation of our existing stock of residential and commercial buildings is a key area of the Climate Action Plan 2021. Actions and targets are set out in the Plan aimed at reducing emissions from this sector by between 44-56% by 2030.

These include:

  • Retrofitting 500,000 homes to a B2 BER/carbon or cost optimal equivalent;
  • Installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes and 250,000 – 280,000 in new homes;
  • Reaching a target of 50,000 – 55,000 commercial buildings with zero-emission heating;
  • Reaching a target of 2.7 TWh of district heating (energy) demand by 2030; and
  • Reducing public sector building emissions by 50%.

Actions taken to improve Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Actions recently completed under previous Climate Action Plansto improve energy efficiency in buildings include:

  • Oil boilers banned in new homes from 2022 and gas boilers from 2025.
  • District heating scheme pilot underway in Tallaght , providing a sustainable low-carbon heat supply.
  • New BER Advisory report developed with a roadmap to help homes achieve better energy performance and reduce home heating costs.
  • “One-stop-shop” model proposals developed to improve access to information, and develop new ways of delivering energy upgrades for homes and businesses.
  • Dedicated Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) Training Centre established to help construction workers get the skills needed for retrofitting.
  • Continued rollout of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme with over 5,200 social houses retrofitted in 2019 and 2020.
  • Continued rollout of the €25m Community Energy Grant which helps communities save 34,676 tonnes CO2 emissions per year.
  • €5.9 million invested to test and demonstrate retrofit approaches in higher education buildings.
  • New building regulations introduced to:

- Promote the use of renewable energy in homes.

- Improve energy efficiency in new builds or major refurbishments.

  • Information campaign launched focusing on promoting the uptake of heat pumps.
  • Public consultations on the redesigned Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme and heat pump systems.

For more information on the progress Ireland has made to date, please see the Climate Action Plan Progress Reports.

The importance of Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Emissions from our homes , commercial and public services accounted for 15.5% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2020 (12.3% residential, 1.6% commercial sector, 1.6% public sector). This includes emissions from fuel used for space and hot water heating in buildings.

Playing my part

There are a number of grants available to help you upgrade your home, making it warmer and more energy efficient. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is responsible for these grants. Apply now and benefit from lower energy bills.

- Insulation Grants: Up to €6,000 available

- Heat Pump System Grants: Up to €3,500 available

- Heating Controls Grants: Up to €700 available

Please click here to return to the main climate action page.