Heat Pump Installation Quotes in Ireland
Compare up to 4 local heat pump installation professionals. Free, no obligation quotes.
Heat pumps have become the default replacement for oil and gas boilers in Irish homes, and for good reason. An air-to-water heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and delivers it to your radiators and hot water at an efficiency of 300 to 400 percent. That means for every euro of electricity you spend, you get three to four euro worth of heat. Compared to an oil boiler running at 85% efficiency, the savings are substantial.
The majority of installations in Ireland are air-to-water systems, which sit in a unit outside your home (roughly the size of a large suitcase) and connect to your existing wet heating system. Most homes need some radiator upgrades because heat pumps run at lower water temperatures than boilers, which means your radiators need to be larger to deliver the same warmth. Underfloor heating, if you have it, is ideal because it already operates at low temperatures.
SEAI grants of up to €6,500 are available for heat pump installations, and under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, qualifying households can get up to 80% of total costs covered. However, a heat pump is not the right choice for every home. If your insulation is poor (BER rating below C1), you should upgrade your building fabric first. Installing a heat pump into a draughty, uninsulated house is like turning on the heating with the windows open.
Heat pump installation is a specialist job. The difference between a well-designed system and a poorly designed one is the difference between a warm, efficient home and an expensive disappointment. Comparing quotes from at least three SEAI-registered installers is essential.
SEAI Grants May Be Available
Some heat pump installation work may qualify for SEAI grants. Visit HomeEnergyGuide.ie to check eligibility and amounts.
SEAI Grants May Apply
Some heat pump installation work qualifies for SEAI grants of up to €8,000 or more. Check eligibility and current grant amounts on our energy guide.
Check SEAI Grants on HomeEnergyGuide.ieHow Much Does Heat Pump Installation Cost in Ireland?
Typical pricing for heat pump installation services in Ireland (2026):
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump (3-bed semi) | €8,000 | €14,000 | System size, radiator upgrades |
| Air-to-water heat pump (4-bed detached) | €12,000 | €18,000 | System size, insulation levels |
| Ground-source heat pump | €16,000 | €25,000 | Bore holes vs trenches, system size |
Heat pump costs vary based on three main factors: your home's heat loss (which determines the size of system needed), the complexity of the pipework and radiator modifications, and the brand and model of heat pump. A well-insulated three-bed semi needs a smaller, cheaper unit than a poorly insulated five-bed detached. Ground-source systems cost significantly more due to borehole drilling or trench excavation. Dublin installation rates run 10-15% above national averages due to higher labour costs.
What to Expect: The Heat Pump Installation Process
- A registered installer carries out a heat loss survey of your home, measuring insulation levels, window performance, room sizes, and existing heating layout. This determines the size of heat pump you need.
- You receive a detailed proposal specifying the heat pump model, cylinder, any radiator upgrades needed, estimated running costs, BER improvement, and SEAI grant eligibility.
- The SEAI grant application is submitted before work begins. You must have grant approval in writing before installation starts.
- Installation typically takes 2 to 4 days. The outdoor unit is placed on a concrete pad, the indoor cylinder and controls are fitted, pipework is connected, and any radiator changes are completed.
- The installer commissions the system, sets the controls, and walks you through how to operate it. Heat pumps require different usage habits than boilers: they work best running at a steady temperature rather than being switched on and off.
- A post-installation BER assessment confirms the improvement. SEAI may inspect the installation as part of their quality assurance process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Installing a heat pump without upgrading insulation first. A heat pump in a poorly insulated home works harder, costs more to run, and may not keep your rooms at a comfortable temperature. Fabric first, heating second.
- Choosing an installer who does not do a proper heat loss survey. An installer who quotes based on house size alone without measuring insulation, windows, and room dimensions is guessing. The wrong size system is expensive to fix.
- Running a heat pump like a boiler. Heat pumps work best at a steady, lower temperature rather than being turned up high for short bursts. Your installer should explain the correct usage patterns during commissioning.
- Ignoring noise and placement. The outdoor unit runs constantly during cold weather. Placing it under a bedroom window or against a party wall with a neighbour will cause problems. Plan placement early.
- Not comparing at least three quotes. Heat pump pricing varies widely. An €18,000 quote and a €12,000 quote for the same house may reflect different system designs, brands, or the amount of radiator work included. Compare like with like.
What to Look for When Hiring a Heat Pump Installation Professional
Your installer must be SEAI-registered specifically for heat pump installations. Check the SEAI register at seai.ie. They should also hold F-Gas certification (required by law for handling refrigerants) and ideally be a member of the Heat Pump Association of Ireland (HPAI). Ask whether the installer has completed manufacturer-specific training for the brand they are proposing, as each heat pump brand has different installation requirements. Public liability and employer's liability insurance are essential. Be cautious of installers who quote without visiting your home first, who cannot explain the heat loss calculation, or who recommend a system size without knowing your insulation levels. An oversized heat pump wastes money. An undersized one will not heat your home.
Questions to Ask Your Heat Pump Installation Professional
- Have you completed a heat loss calculation for my home? This is the single most important step. Without an accurate heat loss calculation, the installer is guessing the system size. Too big wastes electricity; too small leaves you cold.
- Will my existing radiators need upgrading? Heat pumps run at lower water temperatures (35-45°C vs 60-75°C for boilers). If your radiators are undersized, they will not deliver enough heat and the system will run inefficiently.
- What is the expected annual running cost? A good installer should provide a realistic estimate based on your home's heat loss, local electricity tariff, and the heat pump's efficiency rating.
- What SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) does this system achieve? SCOP measures real-world efficiency across a full heating season. A higher SCOP means lower running costs. Look for 3.0 or above for air-to-water systems in Ireland.
- What warranty comes with the heat pump and installation? Most heat pump manufacturers offer 5 to 7 year warranties on the unit. The installer should guarantee their workmanship separately. Ask what each warranty covers and what would void it.
- How noisy is the outdoor unit? Heat pump outdoor units produce a constant low hum when running. Noise levels vary by brand and model (typically 40-55 dB). Placement near bedroom windows or close to neighbours' boundaries requires careful planning.
- Will you handle the SEAI grant application? Most registered installers manage the paperwork. If they cannot, you need to understand the application process and timing requirements, as grants must be approved before work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
An air-to-water heat pump for a typical three-bed semi-detached house costs €9,000 to €14,000 fully installed, including the unit, hot water cylinder, controls, and any radiator upgrades. Larger homes or those needing significant pipework changes can run to €16,000 to €20,000. Ground-source systems cost €14,000 to €25,000 due to borehole drilling or trench excavation. The SEAI grant of €6,500 reduces these costs significantly.
SEAI offers a grant of €6,500 for air-to-water and ground-source heat pump installations in homes built before 2011. This applies to the complete installation including the unit, cylinder, and necessary system modifications. Under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (through One Stop Shops), qualifying households can receive far higher support covering up to 80% of total project costs including insulation and other measures done at the same time.
Heat pumps work best in well-insulated homes with a BER rating of C1 or better. If your home is below C1, you should consider upgrading insulation first or doing a full retrofit that combines insulation and the heat pump together. Homes with underfloor heating are particularly well-suited because it operates at the lower water temperatures that heat pumps deliver most efficiently. Homes with very small radiators may need upgrades to work effectively with a heat pump.
In a well-insulated home, an air-to-water heat pump typically costs €800 to €1,200 per year in electricity to run, compared to €1,500 to €2,500 per year for oil heating. The exact savings depend on your electricity tariff, the heat pump's efficiency, your insulation levels, and your heating habits. Savings improve further if you have solar panels generating free electricity during the day or if you use a time-of-use tariff to run the heat pump on cheaper night-rate electricity.
Yes. Air-to-water heat pumps work efficiently even at temperatures as low as minus 15°C, well below anything Ireland experiences. Ireland's mild, maritime climate (average winter temperatures of 4-7°C) is actually ideal for air-source heat pumps because the air contains usable heat year-round. Scandinavian countries with far colder winters rely heavily on heat pumps, so Ireland's climate is not a concern.
A straightforward air-to-water installation in a home with existing radiators typically takes 2 to 4 days. If radiators need upgrading or new pipework is required, add another day or two. Ground-source installations take longer due to borehole drilling (1-2 days for boreholes) or trench excavation (2-3 days for horizontal loops). Allow an additional week if the project is part of a wider retrofit including insulation.
It depends on your current radiators and insulation levels. Heat pumps deliver water at 35-45°C, lower than a boiler's 60-75°C. If your existing radiators were sized for a boiler, they may be too small to heat the room at lower temperatures. Your installer should carry out a room-by-room heat loss calculation and check whether each radiator is adequate. In practice, most homes need at least some radiators upgraded, particularly in living rooms and bedrooms.
Modern air-to-water heat pumps produce a steady low-frequency hum, typically 40-55 decibels at one metre from the outdoor unit (comparable to a fridge or quiet conversation). Noise levels vary significantly by brand, model, and operating mode. Placement matters: avoid positioning the unit directly beneath bedroom windows or close to a neighbour's boundary. Your installer should consider noise as part of the site survey and propose placement that minimises impact.
If your home is well-insulated (BER C1 or better) and your current boiler is over 15 years old, a heat pump is the better long-term investment. You will save on running costs, future-proof against rising oil prices, and increase your property value. If your insulation is poor, it makes more sense to insulate first and then decide on heating. Replacing a boiler with another boiler is a reasonable short-term fix if you are not ready for the insulation investment.
Heat Pump Installation Quotes by County
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