The sustainable home upgrades you may not have realised you need planning permission for
Thanks to schemes like the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, homeowners can access generous grants that cover up to 50% of the cost for energy-efficient home upgrades like insulation, heat pumps and solar panels - making these home upgrades more accessible than ever.
However, before you begin your sustainable improvement, it is important to be aware of the strict rules and regulations in place. To help homeowners avoid unexpected fines or setbacks, Quote Devil has uncovered some of the eco-projects that may require planning permission or official approval, along with expert tips to keep your renovations fully compliant.
Homeowners risk fines of up to €5,000 for failing to comply with planning rules when installing eco-friendly home upgrades
Many home improvement projects don’t need official approval, especially if they are not visible externally, but some do. Failure to comply with planning and development guidelines can result in fines of up to €10,000,000 and two-year imprisonment for serious offences, lowered to €5,000 and six-month imprisonment for less severe offences, or between €1,500 and €10,000 per day for repeat offences.
Here are some lesser-known home improvements that require planning permission:
1. Installing external insulation
When you’re trying to improve the energy efficiency of your home, external insulation, such as insulated render systems and insulated cladding panels, can help to reduce heat loss. However, because it can alter the way your home looks from the outside, you will need official approval before you can make a start.
2. Solar panel installation
If you want to install solar panels, it's likely that you will be able to proceed without needing planning permission, unless your setup veers outside these rules:
The panel area must be under 12 square metres, or less than 50% of your roof – whichever is smaller
Panels must not extend more than 15 cm from a wall or sloped roof, and must not protrude more than 50cm above flat roofs
Panels need to be at least 50cm from the edge of the roof or wall they’re attached to
Free-standing panels can’t be taller than 2 metres, placed in front of your house, or take up your garden – you still need at least 25 square metres of private space left
If you’re unsure, double-checking with an expert could save you from incurring a hefty fine.
3. Heat pump installations without proper certification
Heat pumps don’t generate heat, but instead move it around your home. To avoid needing planning permission, you will need to make sure:
You don’t raise or lower the ground by more than a metre
The total pump size is under 2.5 square metres
You keep 50cm clear from any roof or wall edge
They’re not in front of your house
Noise is kept to 43dB in total (or 5dB above normal background noise)
4. Unapproved wind turbine installations
If you’re hoping to use the wind to your advantage, you are able to install one turbine on your property without the need for planning permission. You should also adhere to the following rules, or you will need sign off for your project before you proceed:
The turbine should be no taller than 13 metres, have a rotor diameter of less than 6 metres, and the blades must be at least 3 metres above the ground
It must be free-standing
It’s set back by its full height plus 1m from any boundary
You don’t install in the front of the house
Noise is kept to 43dB in total (or 5dB above normal background noise)
Conor Mulcahy, Head of Product & Renewals at Quote Devil shares top tips on how homeowners can avoid being caught out when making changes to their home: “Homeowners are increasingly starting to embrace eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps and external insulation - particularly as the cost of living increases - because of the energy savings they can bring. With almost 10% of Ireland’s emissions coming from residential properties, there’s also a growing awareness of the environmental impact our homes have. However, while these improvements are on the rise, few are aware that they come with strict planning regulations and that failing to follow these can lead to costly fines, legal issues, and even insurance complications.
“Your home insurance provider will typically require all building work in your home to meet legal standards. If unapproved changes result in damage or disputes, your policy might not cover the cost - leaving you to foot the bill on top of any fines you may have to pay.
“Before installing anything, it’s smart to check with your local planning authority. A quick conversation could save you thousands and ensure your eco project stays fully compliant.”
