Irish homeowners could be saving thousands with little known electrical upgrades

Thousands of Irish homeowners may be paying more than they need to for unsafe or outdated electrics, according to a leading Cork electrical expert.

A recent report has revealed that 65% of all houses in Ireland were built before 2001 and many households are unaware that rewiring costs can be significantly reduced through existing renovation and energy upgrade grants.

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Jamie Griffen, Director of Cork Electrical, said "With so many homes built before modern electrical standards, rewiring is becoming unavoidable. What people don’t realise is that grants designed for energy upgrades often cover the electrical work needed to make those improvements safe.”

So, what grants can help cover the cost of rewiring?

While there is no single grant labelled as a “rewiring grant”, homeowners can access funding through three main schemes:

• SEAI Home Energy Upgrade scheme

This scheme offers grants for insulation, heating controls, solar panels and heat pumps. In many cases, rewiring is required to safely install these upgrades.

• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

For vacant homes, this grant can provide up to €50,000, while for derelict properties, it provides up to €70,000 for electrical work.

• Housing Aid for Older People Grant

This grant is available to homeowners aged 66 and older who need essential repairs due to poor living conditions. It can cover critical electrical works, including rewiring, up to €10,700 or 100% of approved costs.

If you’re adding solar panels or upgrading your heating system, rewiring is often an essential part of the job. That electrical work can be included as part of the overall upgrade.

Jamie also explains that there are grants people can access that, while not directly related to rewiring, can cover electrical costs. These include:

• Mobility Aids Grant Scheme

This scheme offers up to €8,000 to help fund mobility-related works and equipment for people with mobility difficulties. While it doesn’t fully cover a house rewire, limited electrical work can be included where it’s required to fit essential mobility aids.

• Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

This grant supports people with a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability who need major adaptations to live safely in their home. It can cover substantial works, including electrical upgrades and rewiring. The maximum grant available is €40,000, and it can cover up to 100% of approved costs, subject to a means test.

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Bonus Expert Tips

As one of leading house rewiring electrician in Cork, Jamie has some top tips that homeowners can use to reduce energy bills today:

• Switch to LED lighting - Old bulbs use around 60 watts, while LEDs use about 9 watts for the same brightness. One incandescent bulb can cost close to €10 a year to run, compared to €1 to €2 for an LED. In a typical home, that difference can add up to hundreds.
• Use smart plugs and switches - Rewiring allows smart controls that stop electricity being drained by devices left on standby, even when they appear switched off.
• Turn the heat down slightly - Dropping the thermostat by just one degree can cut heating bills by up to 10% a year.
• Run appliances smarter - Keeping fridges and freezers full helps them work more efficiently and can cut their energy use by around 10%.
• Wash clothes at lower temperatures - A 30-degree wash uses up to 40% less energy per load than a 40-degree cycle.
• Avoid the tumble dryer: Air-drying clothes can save up to €2 per cycle.

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• Cook with smaller appliances: Air fryers, microwaves and slow cookers use far less electricity than ovens.
• Stop heat escaping: Draught excluders and thicker curtains keep rooms warmer and reduce heating costs.
• Switch energy provider: Many households could save up to €300 a year by shopping around.