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A new oil boiler in 2026 will typically cost between €1,600 and €3,200, depending on the size, type, and brand. Installation, including labour and materials, will typically add €1,100 to €2,200 to the unit price. While there are no direct grants from the SEAI for a replacement oil boiler, modern units are now compatible with renewable HVO fuel. Oil boilers work similarly to gas boilers in that they heat water for radiators, taps, and showers to provide your home with consistent heating and hot water.
A new oil boiler in Ireland will typically cost between €1,600 and €3,200. The total oil boiler price depends on the following variables:
A less powerful oil boiler will be cheaper than a high-capacity boiler. The size of your home and your hot water demands determine the size oil boiler that you will need.
Below you will find a table showing the average estimated prices for popular oil boiler brands in Ireland for 2026:
| Brand | Estimated Price Range | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Grant | €1,600 - €3,200 |
|
| Worcester-Bosch | €2,100 - €3,700+ |
|
| Firebird | €1,550 - €3,100 |
|
| Baxi | €1,400 - €2,700 |
|
| Vaillant | €2,100 - €3,600 |
|
*Figures are for illustrative purposes only. Contact your supplier for an exact price quote. Last updated, January 2026
HVO Ready: Future-Proof Your Heating
In 2026, sustainability is a priority for Irish homeowners. Most new oil boilers from Grant and Firebird are now HVO-compatible. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a 100% renewable biofuel that can reduce your carbon emissions by up to 90%. Converting an older oil boiler to run on HVO typically costs between €300 and €500, making it a cost-effective alternative to a full heat pump retrofit.
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Beyond the initial price and installation, you need to factor in the long-term running costs to get the true Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for your oil boiler.
These costs primarily consist of:
Your fuel consumption for an oil boiler is heavily reliant on the size and insulation of your home, and the efficiency of your unit.
Typical annual fuel usage estimates for an Irish household in 2026:
| Property Type | Approx. Oil Usage Per Year | Estimated Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Apartment / 2-Bed Terraced House | 1,000 - 1,500 litres | €950 - €1,450 |
| 3-Bed Semi-Detached House | 1,500 - 2,000 litres | €1,450 - €1,950 |
| Large 4+ Bed Detached House | 2,000 - 3,000+ litres | €1,950 - €3,000+ |
*Figures are estimates based on January 2026 average home heating oil prices including Carbon Tax.
An annual oil boiler service is essential for safety, fuel efficiency, and maintaining your warranty. You should budget for a service from a certified OFTEC engineer once per year.
Installing a new oil boiler can cost between €1,100 and €2,200 depending on various factors such as:
You should hire an Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) engineer to install your new oil boiler. Even though this is not a legal requirement, it’s recommended in order to ensure the safety and quality of the installation.
OFTEC engineers have completed approved training courses and must periodically take assessments to make sure they are up-to-date with the best practices.
Once the engineer has installed your new oil boiler, they will give you a certificate that confirms the work carried out meets industry standards.
Labor and logistics can vary depending on your location in Ireland. Here are the estimated installation averages for 2026:
| Region | Standard Installation | Complex/Full Retrofit |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin & Leinster | €1,250 - €1,800 | €2,000+ |
| Cork & Munster | €1,150 - €1,700 | €1,900+ |
| Galway & West | €1,100 - €1,650 | €1,850+ |
No. There are no boiler grants available for a replacement oil boiler.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) revised the Better Energy Homes Scheme in 2018 to no longer include grants for oil or gas boilers.
As an alternative to an oil boiler, the scheme currently provides grants for the following:
Given that carbon emitting heating systems will be phased out completely in the future, many are looking at oil boiler alternatives or switching to HVO biofuel.
Because every home’s needs are different, it's difficult to name one single "best" oil boiler. However, you should compare the following factors before purchasing:
Choosing the correct oil boiler capacity, measured in kilowatts (kW), is essential.
A boiler that is too small will struggle; one that is too large will short-cycle, wasting energy and increasing wear and tear on your oil boiler.
| Property Type / Size | Approximate kW Rating | Best Boiler Type |
|---|---|---|
| Small Apartment / Bungalow (Up to 8 radiators) | 12 - 18 kW | Oil Combi or System |
| Medium House (8 - 15 radiators) | 18 - 25 kW | Oil System or Regular |
| Large House / High Hot Water Demand (15+ radiators) | 25 - 35 kW+ | Oil System or Regular |
For high hot water demands, a System Oil Boiler with a cylinder is usually the most effective choice.
Oil boilers are similar in upfront cost to gas boilers, but generally cheaper to run than direct electric heating in Ireland.
| Boiler Type | Purchase Price | Daily Cost Est. | Phasing Out? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | €700 - €1,400 | €14 to €22 | ❌ |
| Gas | €1,600 - €3,700 | €11 to €18 | ✅ (In New Builds) |
| Oil | €1,600 - €3,700 | €14 to €24 | ✅ (In New Builds) |
*Figures are for illustrative purposes for 2026. Last updated, January 2026.
How Much Does Home Heating Oil Cost?
In 2026, 500 litres of oil costs on average about €495 while 1000 litres costs about €955 (including Carbon Tax).
Looking to Compare Heating Oil Prices?
An oil boiler works by igniting kerosene in a combustion chamber. This produces hot gases that pass through a heat exchanger to heat water, which is then pumped around the home to radiators and taps.
An oil boiler is very similar to a gas boiler, except it needs oil to function instead of gas.
There are three types of oil boilers available in 2026:
A typical oil boiler will last for 15 to 20 years if maintained. To ensure safety and efficiency, you must book an oil boiler service annually.
Keep An Eye On Your Heating Oil Levels
Never let your tank reach zero, as it can pull sludge into your oil boiler burner, requiring a professional to bleed the system.
Modern oil boilers in 2026 achieve efficiencies of **90% to 95%**. Older units may only be 60% efficient, meaning you lose 40c for every €1 spent on fuel.
The installation of oil boilers in new-build homes has been effectively banned since 2022.
However, these regulations do not affect existing homes. If you currently have an oil boiler, you are legally allowed to replace it with a new, high-efficiency model in 2026.
The Government aims to reduce fossil fuel use, but the introduction of **HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)** allows existing oil boiler systems to become significantly more eco-friendly without a full heat pump conversion.
| Feature | New Oil Boiler | New Heat Pump System |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost (Installed) | €2,900 - €5,500 | €10,000 - €20,000 (Before grants) |
| SEAI Grants | No | Yes (Up to €6,500) |
| Suitability | Older homes with standard insulation. | Highly insulated homes (B2 BER or higher). |
If your home has a low BER rating and you need an immediate solution, a new oil boiler is often the most cost-effective choice in 2026.
Following the Budget 2026 announcement, the Carbon Tax on home heating oil is scheduled to increase to €71 per tonne effective from May 1, 2026.
This adds approximately €2.10 - €2.50 per 100 litres to your kerosene bill.
Available Financial Supports in 2026:
For homes off the gas grid, an oil boiler remains the most powerful alternative to electric heating. Oil burns hotter than gas, allowing your home to heat up very quickly. With the 2026 move toward HVO, oil boilers are also becoming a more sustainable long-term option for Irish homeowners.
The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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