Heat pumps are rapidly becoming the default heating system for Irish homes, particularly as oil and gas boiler replacements. They extract heat from the outside air or ground and deliver it to your home at efficiencies of 300 to 400 percent, meaning for every euro of electricity used, you get three to four euro worth of heat.

Types of Heat Pump

Air-to-water heat pumps are by far the most common choice in Ireland. They sit outside your home and extract heat from the air, even at low temperatures. They connect to your existing radiator system (though larger radiators may be needed) or underfloor heating.

Ground-source heat pumps are more efficient but significantly more expensive due to the need for boreholes or horizontal ground loops. They are best suited to larger rural properties with available land.

Air-to-air heat pumps provide heating and cooling through wall-mounted units. They are less common for whole-house heating in Ireland but work well as supplementary heating.

How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?

An air-to-water heat pump for a typical 3-bed semi costs between 9,000 and 14,000 euro fully installed, including the unit, hot water cylinder, controls, and any radiator upgrades needed. Larger homes or those requiring significant pipework modifications can run to 16,000 to 20,000 euro.

Ground-source systems cost between 14,000 and 25,000 euro depending on whether horizontal trenches or vertical boreholes are used.

SEAI Heat Pump Grants

SEAI offers a grant of 3,500 euro for air-to-water heat pump installations and 3,500 euro for ground-source systems. Under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, qualifying households can receive significantly higher support covering up to 80 percent of costs.

Is Your Home Suitable?

Heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes. Before installing a heat pump, most contractors will recommend bringing your insulation up to standard first. A home with a BER rating of C1 or better is generally considered suitable for a heat pump without major fabric upgrades.

If your BER is below C1, consider a whole-house retrofit approach where insulation, windows, and the heat pump are done together under the SEAI scheme.

Running Costs

A well-installed heat pump in an insulated home typically costs 800 to 1,200 euro per year in electricity to run, compared to 1,500 to 2,500 euro for oil heating. The savings improve further if you have solar panels generating electricity during daylight hours.

Getting Quotes

Heat pump installation is a significant investment, so comparing quotes is essential. Ensure each contractor visits your home, assesses your insulation levels, and provides a detailed heat loss calculation. Check they are SEAI-registered and ask about their experience with your specific property type.