How To Tell If Your Home Needs a Retrofit - And What Your Options Are
First in our five-part series exploring home retrofitting, brought to you in partnership with insulation specialists, Kore Systems.
Wrapped in a blanket while watching TV, despite having the heating on full blast? You’re not alone. With energy costs continuing to rise in Ireland, more people are turning to retrofitting—giving their homes an energy-efficient makeover to cut bills and stay warm.
Thanks to government initiatives like the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and SEAI grants, these upgrades are more accessible than ever. But how do you know if your home needs a retrofit, and what are your options? Let’s dive in.
Signs your home needs a retrofit
Your home might be telling you it's time for an energy upgrade. Here’s what to look out for:
Sky-high energy bills—Poor insulation or an outdated heating system could be draining your wallet.
Cold spots or draughts—Feel a chill where there shouldn’t be one? That’s heat escaping through walls, windows, or doors.
Condensation and mould—If you’re constantly wiping down windows or battling mould, poor ventilation could be the culprit.
Older properties—Homes built before 2000 often lack modern insulation, double glazing, or energy-efficient heating.
Brian Flax, Marketing Manager at Kore Systems, suggests starting with a home energy assessment:
“The first step would be to have a home energy assessment (HEA) carried out by a registered SEAI technical advisor. This survey will determine the current building energy rating of the property (BER), and what measures will offer the best return on investment to both the energy performance of the home and the homeowner’s budget. “
“After that, it is really up to you to decide which route you’d like to take. If the budget allows, it may make more sense to upgrade the energy measures all at once. The One Stop Shop Scheme (OSS) in Ireland offers higher grant amounts than if you decided to upgrade one measure at a time”
Deep, shallow, or step-by-step?
Once you know your home needs an energy makeover, the next question is: how far should you go? There are three main approaches:
Deep retrofit – The whole shebang. A full-scale overhaul tackling everything from insulation and heating systems to renewable energy. It’s the biggest investment upfront but delivers the biggest savings and comfort.
Shallow retrofit – Looking for quick wins? A shallow retrofit focuses on lower-cost improvements like attic insulation, draught-proofing, and basic heating upgrades. It’s a good choice if you want to improve energy efficiency without breaking the bank.
Step-by-step retrofit – Not ready to do it all at once? A step-by-step approach lets you upgrade as you go. You might start with insulation, then move on to windows or heating systems when the budget allows.
What about managing the process? This is where a One Stop Shop provider comes in handy as they would generally coordinate all aspects of the project. As Brian explains:
“The OSS handles everything from the energy assessment and grant paperwork to coordinating works and quality checks. The OSS model also is net of grant, which means you don’t have to make the payment upfront, as the grant is already taken off the total amount due.
Whole home energy upgrades tend to be larger projects and may make more sense if you are adding an extension or renovating a bathroom or kitchen at the same time”
(Keep an eye out for our next article, a deeper dive into shallow vs deep retrofits.)
What does a retrofit cover?
Every home is different and your retrofit should be tailored to your needs, but these are the most common upgrades:
Insulation—Wall, roof, and floor insulation to lock in heat.
Windows and doors—Double or triple glazing to boost energy efficiency and keep the noise down.
Heating—Heat pumps or upgrading your boiler make for better performance.
Renewables—Solar panels or solar thermal systems to generate your own energy.
Ventilation— Keeps the air fresh and prevents dampness and mould.
Common challenges and misconceptions
Retrofitting can feel daunting, but knowing the hurdles can help. Like finding reliable contractors, managing costs and accessing grants, minimising disruption during works, maintaining proper ventilation and meeting building regs.
Getting the right Building Energy Rating
For the One Stop Shop model, your finished retrofit must achieve a BER rating of B2or better and improve energy performance in the home by 100 kilowatt hours per square meter. The home energy assessment will outline which measures are needed to meet this.
But, if you’d rather upgrade step-by-step, you’re not required to meet a B2 rating—offering flexibility if you want to spread the work (and costs) over time.
Budgeting for a retrofit
Brian Flax adds that budget planning is key as Retrofit costs often catch people off guard:
“Taking on a whole-home energy upgrade can be a large project and more expensive than you think. A typical One Stop Shop upgrade including grants, can cost between €60,000 and €90,000. Luckily there are low-cost loans from a variety of finance providers that can help spread the cost over several years.”
The good news is that retrofitting isn’t just for winter. A well-insulated home stays cooler in summer too! Which means reducing your energy bills over a whole year.
Keep your home insurance in the loop
Retrofitting can have a big impact on your home insurance, so it’s worth keeping a few things in mind:
Lower premiums (potentially!)—A more energy-efficient home isn’t as risky to insure. For example, modern heating systems are less likely to cause fires, and better ventilation makes it easier to avoid damp and mould.
Policy updates —If you’re carrying out major changes—like adding solar panels or upgrading your heating system—you’ll need to update your policy to ensure you’re fully covered.
Extra coverage—Some retrofits, like renewable energy systems, might need additional protection so it’s worth asking your provider.
Contractor insurance—Check that your contractors have public liability and professional indemnity insurance
Here’s where Quote Devil comes in. We’ll make sure you get the best deal on your home insurance, whether you’re planning a retrofit or just looking for better cover.
What's next?
Curious about which option is right for you? Stick around for our next article, where we’ll explore shallow vs. deep retrofits in more detail.
Whether you want to cut bills, boost comfort, or increase your property’s value, retrofitting is a smart move. And with Quote Devil on your side, you can do it confidently—knowing you’ve got the best insurance for your home.
Ready to check if your retrofit plans are covered? Head over to our home insurance for more.
