Retrofit Readiness in Ireland — Designing for the Year-15 Heat Pump or Solar Upgrade
On this page
Design for retrofit readiness at the start: space for a future battery, ducting for a future MVHR upgrade, cable run for a future EV charger. Most year-15 retrofits are: solar PV add-on (€9,000–€13,000), battery storage (€4,000–€8,000), heat pump upgrade (€8,500–€15,000), MVHR upgrade (€4,000–€8,000). Pre-wiring at the start: €500–€1,500. Retrofitting later: €2,000–€5,000. The saving is in the design. Most Irish self-builds that retrofit at year 15 do so to: add solar PV, add battery storage, upgrade the heat pump, or upgrade the MVHR. Plan the cable runs and the space at the start. SEAI's National Retrofit Plan targets 500,000 homes by 2030; the framework supports year-15 retrofits.
TL;DR
Design for retrofit readiness at the start: space for a future battery, ducting for a future MVHR upgrade, cable run for a future EV charger.
Most year-15 retrofits are: solar PV add-on (€9,000–€13,000), battery storage (€4,000–€8,000), heat pump upgrade (€8,500–€15,000), MVHR upgrade (€4,000–€8,000).
Pre-wiring at the start: €500–€1,500. Retrofitting later: €2,000–€5,000. The saving is in the design.
When this matters most
You're at design stage and want to plan for the year-15 retrofit.
When this doesn't apply
The build is finished.
Frequently asked questions
What is retrofit readiness?
Designing at the start for the year-15 retrofit. Space for a future battery, ducting for a future MVHR upgrade, cable run for a future EV charger. Pre-wiring at the start: €500–€1,500. Retrofitting later: €2,000–€5,000.
What is the most common year-15 retrofit?
Solar PV add-on (€9,000–€13,000). Battery storage (€4,000–€8,000). Heat pump upgrade (€8,500–€15,000). MVHR upgrade (€4,000–€8,000). The savings are in the design — pre-wire at the start.
How do I future-proof my self-build?
Pre-wire for solar PV and battery storage. Pre-wire for an EV charger. Space for a future MVHR upgrade. Plan the cable runs and the space at the start. SEAI's National Retrofit Plan supports year-15 retrofits.
Sources
SEAI, National Retrofit Plan. https://www.seai.ie/
Frequently asked questions
What is retrofit readiness?
Designing at the start for the year-15 retrofit. Space for a future battery, ducting for a future MVHR upgrade, cable run for a future EV charger. Pre-wiring at the start: €500–€1,500. Retrofitting later: €2,000–€5,000.
What is the most common year-15 retrofit?
Solar PV add-on (€9,000–€13,000). Battery storage (€4,000–€8,000). Heat pump upgrade (€8,500–€15,000). MVHR upgrade (€4,000–€8,000). The savings are in the design — pre-wire at the start.
How do I future-proof my self-build?
Pre-wire for solar PV and battery storage. Pre-wire for an EV charger. Space for a future MVHR upgrade. Plan the cable runs and the space at the start. SEAI's National Retrofit Plan supports year-15 retrofits.