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What We Saw and Heard at the PTSB Ideal Home Show 2026
Published on 29 April 2026 : Updated • 5 minute read
The RDS halls are buzzing this weekend. Over 230 exhibitors have filled Simmonscourt with everything from kitchen renovations to smart home tech. But the loudest conversations? They're happening around energy. Homeowners are arriving with big questions — and leaving with a plan.
Four things dominating the show floor this year
🔥Heat pumps — everywhere
The single most talked-about upgrade. Visitors are curious but cautious about whether their home is ready.
☀️Solar PV finally mainstream
Not a niche conversation anymore. Payback timelines and grant stacking are the real questions now.
🧱Insulation as foundation
More visitors than ever are starting with insulation — a sign the message is getting through.
📋Grant confusion is real
SEAI grants are generous, but many homeowners still aren't sure what they qualify for or in what order.
"We came for kitchen inspiration, but we ended up spending an hour talking about our BER rating. We didn't expect that."— Visitor overheard at the show, Saturday morning
That exchange captures what makes this show different from a typical trade fair. It's not just about aspirational interiors — it's where Irish homeowners start making real decisions about their homes.
What we're hearing at Stand R50
The question isn't "what should I upgrade?" — it's "where do I start?"
The framework we walk homeowners through
SEAI grants available right now
✔ Full home energy upgrade - €39,250
✔ Heat pump installation - €12,500
✔ Attic insulation - €2,000
✔ External wall insulation - €8,000
✔ Solar PV - €1,800
These grants are designed to make upgrades accessible — but the sequence still matters. Applying for the wrong thing first can complicate your eligibility for what comes next.
One homeowner we worked with in Sligo came to us with a very familiar situation:
❌ High energy bills
❌ A cold and uncomfortable home
❌ Uncertainty about which upgrade to start with
Instead of jumping straight into one attractive measure, the project started with a full Home Energy Assessment.That allowed the upgrade path to be planned properly. The upgrade path for this home was:
✔ Insulation first
✔ Heating upgrade once the home was ready
✔ The right combination of measures working together rather than in isolation
The result was a much stronger outcome than a piecemeal approach would have delivered. The key difference was not just what was installed. It was the order in which the decisions were made. 👉 You can Read the full Case Study here
FAQs
What visitors are asking — answered plainly
Is a heat pump right for every home?Not automatically. Your home needs adequate insulation first. An assessment will tell you where yours stands and what, if anything, needs to happen before installation.Are SEAI grants worth the effort?Yes — they can cover a substantial share of upgrade costs. The paperwork is manageable when you work with an experienced contractor who handles the process for you.What's the first step I should actually take?A Home Energy Assessment. It removes the guesswork and gives you a plan grounded in what your specific home needs — not a generic checklist.How long does a full upgrade take?It depends on scope, but a properly planned upgrade runs efficiently. Most homeowners are surprised by how straightforward it feels once the assessment is done.
What Churchfield can help you understand at Stand R50
At Stand R50, Churchfield can help you sense-check the basics before you commit to anything. That includes:
✔ whether your home likely needs a fabric-first approach
✔ whether a heat pump conversation is actually relevant yet
✔ which grant route may make sense
✔ what the likely next step should be
The goal is not to overwhelm you with more options. It is to help you leave with more clarity.
Get Your Free Tickets to the Ideal Home Show
If you’re planning to attend the Ideal Home Show, this is your chance to make the most of it.
Visit us at Stand R50 and speak to our team.
We’ll help you understand what your home may need, what grants could apply, and the smartest way to approach your upgrade without guesswork.
👉 Get your free tickets now and plan your visit
✅ Book Your Home Energy Assessment Today
Take the first step towards a warmer, more efficient home.
✔ Clear upgrade plan
✔ Grant guidance
✔ Expert advice tailored to your home
👉 Book your Home Energy Assessment today
Enjoy Year-Round Comfort with a Heat Pump
Is my home is Heatpump ready?Tags
- One Stop Shop
- SEAI Grants
- One Stop Shop Grants
- Individual Energy Upgrades Grants
- IEU Grants
- Warmer Home Scheme
- SEAI Grants
- Home Energy Upgrade Grants
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Published on 29 April 2026: Updated • 5 minute read
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