Energy Efficiency Advice for Irish Homeowners: Where to Start and What to Prioritise

Whether you're building a new home or upgrading an existing one, improving energy efficiency can feel like a complex challenge. With so many options — insulation, windows, solar panels, new heating systems — where do you even start?

At Q50, we’ve helped countless homeowners take practical, cost-effective steps toward better energy performance. This guide outlines the key priorities and best approach for making your home warmer, cheaper to run, and more sustainable.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters

Improving energy efficiency is about more than just lowering your bills. It means:

●     A warmer, more comfortable home all year round

●     Better indoor air quality and reduced condensation

●     Lower carbon emissions

●     Higher resale value

●     Eligibility for SEAI grants and incentives

Well-planned upgrades pay off not just in savings, but in quality of life.

Step 1: Know Where You Stand

Before starting any upgrade, you need a clear picture of your current energy performance. That means getting a Building Energy Rating (BER). A BER assessment shows how efficient your home is today and provides a roadmap for where to improve.

Q50 can carry out a BER and explain your results in plain terms. This helps you avoid wasting money on unnecessary upgrades.

Step 2: Start with Insulation and Air Tightness

The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t lose. Before you invest in new heating or solar panels, tackle the basics:

●     Attic insulation: Essential for retaining heat

●     Wall insulation: Choose cavity, internal, or external depending on your wall type

●     Floor insulation: Especially in older homes

●     Airtightness: Use sealing tapes and membranes to block draughts and leaks

Q50 offers air tightness testing to find exactly where your home is losing heat — before you spend money on fixes.

Step 3: Improve Ventilation

When a home becomes more airtight, it’s vital to ensure proper ventilation. Without it, you risk condensation, mould, and poor air quality.

Options include:

●     Trickle vents and passive vents

●     Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV)

●     Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)

Since 2019, Irish regulations require ventilation validation for all types of ventilation systems in homes whether this is mechanical or natural. Q50 is NSAI-certified to validate and report on system performance.

Step 4: Upgrade Heating and Controls

With a well-insulated and airtight home, heating becomes more efficient. Depending on your home, you might consider:

●     Zoned heating controls

●     Condensing oil or gas boilers

●     Heat pumps (with SEAI grant support)

●     Smart thermostats

We can advise on which upgrades will make the most difference based on your BER and lifestyle.

Step 5: Add Renewables (If Appropriate)

Once the basics are right, renewable technologies can push your efficiency further:

●     Solar PV panels for electricity

●     Solar thermal panels for hot water

●     Battery storage

●     Electric vehicle charging integration

These systems often qualify for SEAI grants, but only make sense once insulation, ventilation, and heating are already efficient.

Step 6: Apply for Grants Early

Many energy upgrades qualify for funding under the SEAI Home Energy Grants scheme — but you must apply before starting any work.

Q50 can guide you through:

●     What measures qualify

●     The paperwork and BER requirements

●     Choosing SEAI-registered contractors

●     Timing your upgrades for best value

How Q50 Supports You

We don’t sell or install systems — our role is to provide independent advice you can trust. Our services include:

●     BER assessments

●     Airtightness testing

●     Ventilation validation

●     Thermal imaging

●     Grant application support

We help you avoid costly missteps and focus your budget where it will make the most impact.

Small Steps, Big Results

You don’t need to do everything at once. Even modest improvements — like insulating your attic or sealing draughts — can yield big benefits. The key is to make informed decisions and build upgrades over time.

If you’re unsure where to begin, get in touch. We’re here to help you understand your options, qualify for support, and make your home more comfortable and affordable.

Call Chris Moore on 086 313 0970 or email chris@q50.ie