The best way to understand what BER upgrades can achieve is to see real results. Here are typical before-and-after examples from properties we've assessed across Dublin, showing what was done and the BER improvement achieved.
1980s Semi-Detached. Knocklyon, Dublin 16
A typical 3-bed semi from the early 1980s with cavity block walls, 75mm attic insulation, original aluminium windows, and a 20-year-old non-condensing gas boiler. The homeowners carried out cavity wall insulation (bonded bead), attic insulation top-up to 300mm, replacement of all windows with A-rated uPVC double glazing, and installation of a new condensing gas boiler with upgraded heating controls. Total upgrade cost after SEAI grants: approximately €8,500. The BER jumped from D2 to B1, qualifying the property for green mortgage products and significantly reducing annual heating costs.
Victorian Redbrick. Rathmines, Dublin 6
A two-storey-over-basement redbrick terrace dating from the 1890s. Solid 9-inch brick walls, original single-glazed sash windows, and an ancient back boiler. The owner installed internal dry-lining insulation on all external walls, had sash windows refurbished with draught seals and secondary glazing, replaced the back boiler with a modern condensing gas boiler, and topped up attic insulation to 300mm. Total cost after SEAI grants: approximately €18,000. Moving a Victorian redbrick from E2 to C1 is a significant achievement, solid-wall homes are inherently harder to improve, and reaching C1 represents excellent performance for this property type.
2005 Apartment. Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2
A 2-bed apartment from the Docklands boom with electric storage heating, the most common BER drag in Dublin city apartments. The walls and glazing were already reasonable for the era but the heating system was pulling the rating down. The owner replaced the storage heaters with an air-to-air heat pump system and upgraded all lighting to LED. Total cost after grants: approximately €4,500. The jump from C3 to B2 made a meaningful difference for the rental market, and the running costs dropped dramatically, the heat pump uses roughly one-third of the electricity the storage heaters consumed.
1950s Corporation House. Crumlin, Dublin 12
A classic 1950s Dublin Corporation semi-detached with solid 9-inch block walls, no attic insulation, original steel Crittall windows, and an open fire with back boiler. This home went through a comprehensive deep retrofit via the SEAI One Stop Shop scheme: external wall insulation, 300mm attic insulation, all new A-rated windows and doors, air-to-water heat pump with underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and 4kWp solar PV panels. Total cost after SEAI One Stop Shop grants of approximately €25,000: the homeowner's net investment was around €22,000. The result was transformational, from one of the worst possible ratings to green mortgage eligible, with annual heating costs reduced by over 80%.
What Could Your Home Achieve?
Every home is different, but these examples show what's realistic for the most common property types in Dublin. The first step is always a BER assessment, this establishes your baseline rating and the advisory report identifies exactly which upgrades will deliver the biggest improvements for your specific property. From there, you can plan upgrades around your budget and priorities, with SEAI grants covering a significant portion of the cost. Use the grant calculator on HomeEnergyGuide.ie to estimate your grant entitlement.
Ready to see what your home could achieve? Call Justin on 087 777 4155 for a BER assessment and personalised advisory report.