5 Myths About Home Energy Assessments, clarified
Home Energy Assessment

5 Myths About Home Energy Assessments, clarified

Home Energy Assessments are often misunderstood. From cost concerns to fears about pressure to upgrade, many homeowners delay booking based on common myths. In this guide, we clarify five of the most common misconceptions about Home Energy Assessments, explaining what’s true, what’s not, and what you can realistically expect.
Published on 30 January 2026 : Updated 29 January • 4 minute read

Myth 1: A Home Energy Assessment is just a BER


This is one of the most common misunderstandings.

A BER gives your home an energy rating at a specific point in time. A Home Energy Assessment includes the BER, but goes much further. It involves a detailed survey, an in-person consultation, and a tailored report that explains how your home performs and what improvements may help.

Instead of just a rating, you receive practical guidance you can use when planning future upgrades.

Myth 2: You have to upgrade after the assessment


There is no obligation to carry out any upgrades after a Home Energy Assessment.

Many homeowners book an assessment simply to understand their home better, plan ahead, or explore options for the future. The assessment gives you clarity. What you do with that information is entirely your choice, and you can move forward in your own time.

Myth 3: Home Energy Assessments are only for older or inefficient homes


Home Energy Assessments are suitable for homes of all ages and energy ratings.

Whether your home is older or relatively modern, an assessment can highlight how it performs today, where energy may be lost, and what improvements could make sense in the future. Even homes with decent energy ratings can benefit from better planning and prioritisation.

Myth 4: The assessment is expensive and hard to justify


A Home Energy Assessment is supported by a €350 SEAI grant, which helps reduce the cost.

The assessment is a professional service that includes a detailed on-site visit, analysis, and a clear written report. For many homeowners, the value comes from avoiding guesswork and understanding which upgrades make sense before committing to any work.

Myth 5: A Home Energy Assessment is only about grants


While grants are an important part of the process, they are not the sole purpose of a Home Energy Assessment.

The assessment focuses on understanding how your home actually performs and identifying practical ways to improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance. Grants are explained where relevant, but the priority is helping you make informed decisions based on your home, not selling upgrades.
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Why clarifying these myths matters


Uncertainty often prevents homeowners from taking the first step. Misunderstandings about cost, obligation, or suitability can delay decisions unnecessarily.

A Home Energy Assessment is designed to replace uncertainty with clear, professional guidance. It helps you understand your home properly so you can decide what to do next with confidence.

Take your first step


A Home Energy Assessment is about clarity, not pressure. It gives you a clear picture of how your home performs today and what options may suit you in the future.

You can book your Home Energy Assessment online in just a few minutes, with an additional online booking discount available. If you prefer to speak with someone first, our team is available to guide you.

Take your first step today and get clear, professional insight into your home’s energy performance.
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Mary Hilda Hurley, Retrofit Expert
Published on 30 January 2026: Updated 29 January • 4 minute read
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D1 → A3, massive increase in comfort & over 70% reduction in energy bills!

John and Brenda wanted a warmer, more efficient home as they looked ahead to retirement.

“For me it was more about the cost… Brenda was more about the heat. We brought both of our reasons together and found Churchfield. Churchfield were so helpful in every area.” — John Brady
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