Is your home feeling colder than it should? Are your energy bills creeping up? Sub-par insulation might be to blame – but the good news is, you could get financial help to fix it.
Thanks to the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP), thousands of households can now access grants and funding for insulation upgrades in 2025. Whether you own your home or rent privately, this guide will help you understand what’s available to you and how to apply.
What Is the NISEP Scheme?
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is a government-backed scheme designed to help households in Northern Ireland become more energy-efficient. This scheme provides support to people across NI to improve their home’s energy performance.
Through NISEP, you can access subsidised or fully funded insulation upgrades, including:
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
Available Grant Schemes
Efficiency Plus Insulation Fully Funded: This home insulation grant covers 100% of the cost of loft and/or cavity wall insulation, plus LED light bulbs, draught-proofing, and a Low-Flow shower head. To qualify for this grant, you must be an NI homeowner, with a single household income of less than £28,000 or a total household income of less than £40,000.
Efficiency Plus Insulation Cashback: This grant covers 40% of the cost of loft and/or cavity wall insulation, plus free LED lightbulbs, draught-proofing and a Low-Flow shower head. There is a £650 maximum grant per insulation measure and the grant is open to all NI homeowners, regardless of annual household income.
*The Efficiency Plus Insulation Fully Funded grant is only open to homeowners, while the Efficiency Plus Insulation Cashback grant is open to both homeowners and private tenants.
Why Insulation Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Energy bills have increased drastically since 2022, and insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to save. Not having loft insulation alone can lose you as much as £380 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Proper insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 35%, helping you:
- Cut heating bills significantly
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home year-round
Additionally, insulation isn’t just for winter – it can be beneficial for your home year-round. Insulation acts as a barrier, slowing down the transfer of heat in and out of your home which helps to regulate the indoor temperature in the summer months.
How to Apply:
Watch the video below to see how easy it is to apply for a NISEP insulation grants through Refresh NI with our easy online application.
Watch: Apply for NISEP insulation grants in less than 60 seconds with Refresh NI’s easy online application!
Applying for an insulation grant with Refresh NI is quick and easy. Simply fill out our handy online application to register your interest. At Refresh NI, we’re an experienced NISEP installer with many years of experience helping homeowners access funding and improve their homes.
How it works:
Fill out our quick online application form
We’ll review your eligibility and contact you
If approved, a home survey is arranged
Your insulation install is then booked in
Don’t Miss Out – Funding Is Limited
NISEP funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and some measures are only available while yearly budgets last. If your home needs an upgrade, don’t hesitate to register your interest in NISEP insulation grant funding with Refresh NI.
Let us help you take the first step toward a warmer, more energy-efficient home and start your application today!
Read More: Free NI Home Grants 2025 – Home Insulation, NISEP 2025/2026
FAQs About NISEP Insulation Grants
Can I apply for NISEP insulation grants if I rent my home?
Private tenants are eligible for the Efficiency Plus Insulation Cashback scheme as long as they have their landlord’s permission and their landlord is registered on the Landlord Registration Scheme. The Efficiency Plus Insulation Fully Funded is not available to private tenants.
Is there a cost to apply?
No, there is no cost to apply – Apply online by submitting a no-cost, no-obligation survey or contact us today.
Can I apply for both grants?
Technically, you can apply for both grants however you will only be eligible for one or the other, so it is best to go over the eligibility criteria and apply for the scheme which applies to you.
What materials do Refresh NI use for loft and cavity wall insulation?
Refresh NI use quality loft insulation wool and bonded cavity wall bead to help you create a more comfortable home. The cavity wall insulation we use even has a 25-year guarantee. To find out more about the materials we use, view our NISEP insulation infosheet here.
Do Refresh NI offer any other NISEP grants?
Yes. Refresh NI also facilitate the NISEP Green Heat NI Fully Funded Heat Pump Scheme – an air source heat pump scheme, available to eligible homeowners in Northern Ireland.
Measures include an air source heat pump with heating controls, cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation, LED light bulbs, water widget, reflective radiator panels and a hot water tank jacket. If you are interested in this scheme, please see the eligibility criteria on our NISEP 2025/26 page and apply today.
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