Heat Pump Installation Ireland
RetrofitIreland.ie provides heat pump installation across Ireland, delivered by SEAI-registered installers. Air-to-water, air-to-air, and ground source, with SEAI grants up to €12,500, increased from €6,500 in February 2026.
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What Heat Pump Installation Involves
A heat pump is a heating system that extracts heat energy from outside air, ground, or water and transfers it into a home’s heating and hot water system. A heat pump works like a refrigerator in reverse: it moves heat rather than generating it by burning fuel.
For every 1 kWh of electricity a heat pump consumes, it produces 3 to 4 kWh of heat. This ratio is called the Coefficient of Performance (COP), and it is what makes a heat pump 3 to 4 times more efficient than an oil boiler or electric heater. Air-to-water heat pumps account for over 90 percent of Irish domestic installations.
The SEAI grant nearly doubled in February 2026. The maximum heat pump grant increased from €6,500 to €12,500 on 3 February 2026. VAT on heat pumps also dropped from 23% to 9% on 1 January 2025. Together, these changes cut the net cost of a typical installation by thousands of euro.
Insulate first. SEAI requires a Heat Loss Indicator of 2.3 or better, or attic and wall insulation rated “Good” or “Very Good,” before approving the heat pump grant. Check the insulation page if this applies to your home.
Air-to-Water Heat Pump
The standard whole-home heat pump for Irish properties. Extracts heat from outside air and transfers it to radiators, underfloor heating, and a hot water cylinder through a wet heating circuit. Works with existing radiators, though many installations include some radiator upsizing.
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Fully installed cost (before grant) | €9,000–€18,000 |
| SEAI grant (unit + heating upgrade + renewable heat bonus) | Up to €12,500 |
| Net cost after grant | €0–€11,500 |
| VAT | 9% (reduced from 23% on 1 January 2025) |
| Payback period vs oil | 7–9 years |
The €12,500 grant breaks down as: €6,500 for the heat pump unit, €2,000 for central heating distribution upgrades (radiators, pipework), and €4,000 renewable heat bonus paid after 12 months of verified operation, when replacing a fossil-fuel or electric heating system. Apartments are capped at €9,500.
Air-to-Air Heat Pump
The lowest-cost heat pump option. Heats air directly and distributes it through indoor wall-mounted units, similar to air conditioning in reverse. Does not heat water; a separate hot water solution is required. Suits smaller or open-plan homes, apartments, and homes with existing electric heating.
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Fully installed cost (before grant) | €3,000–€8,000 |
| SEAI grant | Up to €7,500 (€3,500 unit + €4,000 renewable heat bonus) |
| Net cost after grant | €0–€4,500 |
Ground Source Heat Pump
Extracts heat from the ground via buried pipe loops or boreholes. More expensive to install due to groundworks, but delivers higher efficiency and stability year-round because ground temperature is more constant than air temperature. Suits larger rural properties with sufficient garden or field space for horizontal loops, or budget for a borehole.
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Fully installed cost (before grant) | €18,000–€30,000 |
| SEAI grant | Up to €12,500 (same structure as air-to-water) |
| Net cost after grant | €5,500–€17,500 |
Which Heat Pump Type Is Right for Your Home?
Air-to-water is the standard choice for most Irish homes. Here’s when the alternatives make sense.
Air-to-Water
Choose this for whole-home heating and hot water. The standard choice for most Irish homes, working through existing radiators or underfloor heating.
Air-to-Air
Choose this for supplementary heating, small or open-plan spaces, or where hot water is already handled separately. Lowest upfront cost.
Ground Source
Choose this for larger rural properties with land for loops, or budget for a borehole. Higher upfront cost, more stable year-round efficiency.
How Heat Pump Installation Works Through RetrofitIreland.ie
SEAI-registered installers survey the property, size the system, quote the work, and complete the installation.
Select Heat Pump on the Quote Form
Specify property type, year built, current heating system, and county.
Receive Installer Contact
RetrofitIreland.ie sends the enquiry to SEAI-registered heat pump installers in the area.
Home Survey
The installer assesses insulation, existing radiators, hot water demand, and outdoor unit placement to size the system correctly.
Written Quote
Covers the unit, installation, any radiator upgrades, hot water cylinder, and electrical work, with the SEAI grant itemised.
Apply to SEAI
Apply online before work begins. Confirm the Heat Loss Indicator meets the 2.3 threshold. See the heat pump grant guide for the full application process and timeline.
Installation
Typically 2 to 4 days for air-to-water. Ground source installations take longer due to groundworks.
Commissioning and BER Assessment
The installer commissions the system and an SEAI-registered assessor issues a post-works BER certificate.
12-Month Verification
SEAI verifies correct operation for 12 months before releasing the €4,000 renewable heat bonus.
Risks, Exclusions, and Limitations
Build date cut-off. The home must have been built and occupied before 2021.
Insulation Pre-Requisite
SEAI requires a Heat Loss Indicator of 2.3 or better, or “Good”/”Very Good” attic and wall insulation ratings, before approving the grant. A poorly insulated home may need insulation work first. See our BER guide for how HLI differs from your BER band.
Sizing Matters
An incorrectly sized heat pump runs inefficiently and costs more to operate. Sizing must be based on a proper heat loss survey, not a rule of thumb. Oversized and undersized units both reduce efficiency.
Radiator Compatibility
Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures than oil or gas boilers. Some homes need larger radiators or underfloor heating to deliver the same comfort level. This is a common source of quote variation between installers.
The Renewable Heat Bonus Is Delayed
The €4,000 component of the grant is not paid until 12 months after installation, once SEAI verifies correct operation. Homeowners should budget for the higher up-front cost.
Noise
Outdoor units produce operational noise, typically 40 to 60 decibels. Placement matters for boundary distance and neighbour considerations.
Air-to-Air Does Not Provide Hot Water
A separate hot water solution, such as an immersion heater or solar thermal, is required alongside an air-to-air system.
Gas Boiler Decommissioning
Removing an existing gas boiler requires an RGII-registered contractor to safely disconnect and cap the gas supply.
Heat Pump Questions
Get Your Free Heat Pump Quote
Get a free heat pump quote from SEAI-registered installers near you. Fill in your details and an installer in your area will contact you directly with a survey and written quote.
SEAI-Registered Heat Pump Installers Across Ireland
RetrofitIreland.ie covers all 26 counties. Select your county below to see installers in your area.
Carlow
Carlow Town, Muinebheag, Tullow, Hacketstown, Borris, Bagenalstown, Rathvilly
Cavan
Cavan Town, Bailieborough, Belturbet, Virginia, Cootehill, Kilnaleck, Kingscourt
Clare
Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna, Miltown Malbay, Scarriff, Sixmilebridge
Cork
Cork City, Ballincollig, Carrigaline, Midleton, Mallow, Cobh, Fermoy, Clonakilty, Bantry, Kinsale, Youghal, Bandon, Skibbereen, Macroom, Mitchelstown
Donegal
Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Bundoran, Buncrana, Ballyshannon, Ballybofey, Dungloe, Killybegs, Glenties, Carndonagh
Dublin
Swords, Lucan, Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Malahide, Finglas, Ballymun, Coolock, Howth, Balbriggan, Dundrum, Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire
Galway
Galway City, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Athenry, Gort, Clifden, Oranmore, Moycullen, Headford
Kerry
Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Kenmare, Dingle, Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Castleisland, Ballybunion
Kildare
Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town, Celbridge, Leixlip, Maynooth, Athy, Clane, Kilcullen, Monasterevin, Rathangan, Castledermot
Kilkenny
Kilkenny City, Thomastown, Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh, Urlingford
Laois
Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, Stradbally, Portarlington
Leitrim
Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Drumshanbo, Mohill, Ballinamore
Limerick
Limerick City, Castletroy, Newcastle West, Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock, Adare, Askeaton
Longford
Longford Town, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon, Lanesborough
Louth
Dundalk, Ardee, Carlingford, Termonfeckin, Blackrock, Dunleer, Tallanstown
Mayo
Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Swinford, Belmullet, Kiltimagh, Charlestown
Meath
Navan, Drogheda, Ashbourne, Trim, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath, Laytown, Kells, Enfield, Oldcastle, Slane, Dunboyne
Monaghan
Monaghan Town, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones, Ballybay
Offaly
Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry, Clara, Portarlington, Banagher, Ferbane
Roscommon
Roscommon Town, Boyle, Castlerea, Strokestown, Ballaghaderreen, Elphin, Athlone
Sligo
Sligo Town, Ballymote, Tubbercurry, Enniscrone, Collooney
Tipperary
Clonmel, Thurles, Nenagh, Tipperary Town, Carrick-on-Suir, Roscrea, Cahir, Cashel, Templemore, Borrisokane
Waterford
Waterford City, Tramore, Dungarvan, Lismore, Portlaw, Kilmacthomas, Cappoquin, Tallow
Westmeath
Mullingar, Athlone, Moate, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad, Delvin, Castlepollard
Wexford
Wexford Town, Gorey, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Bunclody, Rosslare, Ferns, Courtown, Kilmore Quay, Taghmon
Wicklow
Bray, Greystones, Wicklow Town, Arklow, Blessington, Enniskerry, Baltinglass, Kilmacanogue
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