A new €2,000 boiler scrappage grant could soon be available to Irish households replacing older oil and kerosene boilers with cleaner heating technology.
Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien has said he intends to bring the proposed scheme to Cabinet ahead of Budget 2027.
If approved, the €2,000 support would operate as a top-up to existing grants for households moving away from fossil-fuel heating, potentially increasing the total support available for an eligible heat pump upgrade to as much as €14,500.
The proposed scheme isn’t available yet, and important details including the age of boilers that will qualify still need to be confirmed.
Here’s what we know so far.
What Is the Proposed Boiler Scrappage Scheme in Ireland?
The proposed boiler scrappage scheme would provide a €2,000 grant to qualifying households replacing older oil or kerosene boilers as part of a move to cleaner heating technology.
The scheme is expected to target boilers that are approaching the end of their working life, with the precise age and eligibility requirements still to be confirmed.
If approved by Cabinet, the scheme is expected to begin in January 2027.
Importantly, the proposed €2,000 grant is not intended to help homeowners replace an old oil boiler with another oil boiler.
Can I Get €2,000 to Replace My Oil Boiler?
Potentially, but only if you are moving away from fossil-fuel heating under the proposed scheme.
The €2,000 support is being proposed as an additional incentive for households replacing qualifying oil or kerosene boilers with cleaner heating technology.
There are currently no SEAI grants towards purchasing a new or replacement fossil-fuel boiler.
You can see the current home energy grants available from SEAI.
How Much Could I Get Towards a Heat Pump?
Eligible homeowners can already receive up to €12,500 through the existing SEAI Heat Pump System grant.
The current maximum support can include up to €6,500 towards the heat pump system, up to €2,000 towards necessary central-heating upgrades such as radiators or underfloor heating, and a €4,000 Renewable Heat Bonus for eligible households moving away from an existing fossil-fuel or other qualifying heating system.
If the proposed €2,000 boiler scrappage grant is introduced as an additional top-up, qualifying households could potentially have access to as much as €14,500 in support.
That doesn’t mean every household will automatically receive €14,500. Eligibility and the amount available will depend on the property, heating system, proposed upgrade and final rules of the new scheme.
Will Every Old Oil or Kerosene Boiler Qualify?
No.
The proposed scheme is expected to apply to older boilers approaching the end of their working life rather than every oil or kerosene boiler currently installed in an Irish home.
Minister O’Brien has indicated that the scheme will apply to boilers beyond a certain age, but the exact cut-off has not yet been announced.
That’s one of the important details we’ll be looking for when the Government confirms the final scheme.
Until then, homeowners shouldn’t assume their existing boiler will qualify for the €2,000 payment.
When Will the Boiler Scrappage Scheme Start?
If approved by Cabinet as proposed, the new boiler scrappage scheme is expected to begin in January 2027.
The Government and relevant authorities will need to confirm the exact commencement date, eligibility requirements and application process.
Homeowners considering replacing an older boiler should therefore wait for the final scheme conditions before undertaking work on the assumption that they will qualify for the €2,000 grant.
Activ8 will update this article as soon as the final details are announced.
What Is a Heat Pump and How Is It Different From an Oil Boiler?
Unlike an oil or kerosene boiler, a heat pump doesn’t burn fossil fuel to generate heat.
Instead, a heat pump uses electricity to extract heat from the air, ground or water and transfer it into your home for heating and, depending on the system, hot water.
Heat pumps work most effectively in homes that retain heat well, which means the condition and energy efficiency of the property need to be considered before installation.
SEAI advises homeowners that a home needs to have a sufficiently low level of heat loss for a heat pump to operate efficiently.
How Do Solar Panels Work With a Heat Pump?
Moving from an oil or kerosene boiler to a heat pump means more of your home’s energy requirements move from fossil fuel to electricity.
That’s where solar PV can become particularly relevant.
Solar panels generate electricity that can be used within the home, potentially supplying some of the electricity required by a heat pump alongside the rest of your household demand.
Battery storage can also allow some surplus solar electricity generated during the day to be stored for use later.
If you’re considering a wider home-energy upgrade, it can therefore make sense to consider your heating, solar PV, battery storage, insulation and future electricity requirements together.
Read our guide to how solar panels power your home.
You can also read How Many Solar Panels Do I Really Need for My Home in Ireland? to understand how household electricity demand and future energy requirements affect the size of a solar PV system.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Boiler Scrappage Scheme in Ireland
Is there a boiler scrappage scheme in Ireland?
A new €2,000 boiler scrappage scheme has been proposed but has not yet been approved. Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien is expected to bring the proposal to Cabinet ahead of Budget 2027.
How much is the proposed boiler scrappage grant?
The proposed grant is €2,000 for qualifying households replacing older oil or kerosene boilers as part of a move to cleaner heating technology.
Can I get €2,000 towards a new oil boiler?
No. The proposed scheme isn’t intended to subsidise the purchase of another oil or kerosene boiler. It is designed to support households moving away from fossil-fuel heating.
Can I get the €2,000 boiler grant and the heat pump grant?
The €2,000 boiler scrappage payment is proposed as a top-up to existing heat pump support. If introduced as reported, qualifying households could potentially access up to €14,500 in combined support.
How much is the heat pump grant in Ireland?
The existing SEAI Heat Pump System grant provides up to €12,500 for qualifying houses. The amount available depends on the property and the works required.
Does my oil boiler have to be a certain age?
The proposed scheme is expected to target boilers approaching the end of their working life. The Government has not yet confirmed the exact boiler-age requirement.
When will the boiler scrappage scheme start?
If approved as proposed, the scheme is expected to begin in January 2027. The precise commencement date and application process still need to be confirmed.
Do I need to upgrade my home before getting a heat pump?
Possibly. Heat pumps operate most efficiently in homes with sufficiently low heat loss. Your home’s insulation and overall energy performance should be assessed before deciding on the appropriate heating system.
Can solar panels help power a heat pump?
Yes. Solar PV generates electricity that can be used within your home, including electricity required by a heat pump when solar generation and household demand coincide.
How do I apply for the €2,000 boiler scrappage grant?
The application process hasn’t been announced yet. Activ8 will update this page when the Government confirms the final scheme, eligibility criteria and application requirements.
Thinking About Replacing an Older Oil or Kerosene Boiler?
If you’re considering replacing an older oil or kerosene boiler, the proposed €2,000 scrappage grant could make a wider home-energy upgrade worth investigating.
Rather than looking at the boiler in isolation, it can be useful to assess your home’s insulation, heating system, solar potential and overall electricity requirements together.
As an SEAI registered One Stop Shop, Activ8 Solar Energies can manage a complete home-energy upgrade, from the initial assessment and grant applications through to the installation of measures such as insulation, heat pumps and solar PV.
We’ll update this article as soon as the Government confirms the final €2,000 boiler scrappage scheme, including who qualifies, when applications open and how homeowners can apply.