Behind The Walls | #11 with Steven Farrell

In this episode of Behind the Walls, Roy, Ferg (aka The Retrofit Guy), and special guest Stephen from the SEAI break down the latest Irish home energy grant changes and what they actually mean for homeowners.With recent grant increases and new measures announced, the lads cut through the noise and misinformation to explain:What grants have increasedWho is eligible (and who isn’t)The truth about windows & doors grantsHow to upgrade your home step by step, without wasting moneyWhy insulation still comes before shiny upgradesHow to create a long-term retrofit pathway that leads to heat pumps and lower billsThis is a must-listen for homeowners, first-time buyers, and anyone thinking about energy upgrades in 2025 and beyond.Timecodes00:00 – Welcome & introduction 00:45 – Grant increases announced: what’s changed and why it matters 02:10 – Heat pump grants explained (€12.5k breakdown) 03:45 – One Stop Shop vs individual grants 04:28 – New high-temperature heat pump pilot (boiler-style heat pumps) 06:45 – Who high-temp heat pumps are best suited for 07:38 – Attic & cavity wall insulation grant increases 09:10 – How to apply for individual grants (step-by-step) 10:12 – Why insulation is still the best first upgrade 12:00 – Comfort vs cost: why insulation changes everything 14:50 – Registered contractors vs “cheap jobs” explained 18:25 – Windows & doors grants: what everyone is asking 19:03 – Windows & doors now available as standalone grants 20:16 – Eligibility rules: attic & walls must be “good” or “very good” 21:13 – BER advisory reports explained simply 22:00 – Why windows aren’t a free-for-all 24:17 – Why a home energy assessment is essential 26:04 – Creating a realistic retrofit pathway over time 27:27 – First-time buyer enhanced insulation grants 28:23 – Why One Stop Shops still matter 29:16 – Airtightness, ventilation & hidden upgrades 30:06 – Project management realities homeowners underestimate 32:24 – Breaking down the windows & doors pathway clearly 34:08 – External wall insulation vs internal dry lining 36:35 – Easy wins: attic + cavity wall first 38:12 – Heat pumps myths vs reality 39:36 – Why solar PV should be the “cherry on top” 41:34 – Can you get a second wall insulation grant? 43:03 – Extra supports for energy-poor households 44:00 – Final thoughts: spending money in the right order