Heat Pumps in Ireland: How Do They Work?
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Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air or ground and then transferring this heat into your home to be used as heating for air and water. They are normally installed on the outside of your home, with a direct connection to your heating system and hot water boiler. As they don't require any fuel, they are an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to heat your home.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
Installed outside your house, a heat pump is a small machine which can heat and cool your home.
In the winter, the heat pump pulls warm air inside your home to heat it, while in the summer it acts in reverse and pushes the warm air outside for your home to remain cool.
In essence, it merely redistributes heat found either inside or outside your home, depending on the season.
The technology is very similar to that used by your home refrigerator, which absorbs the air outside it before cooling it.
Are There Different Types of Heat Pumps?
There are two main types of heat pumps found in Ireland, these are:
- Air source heat pumps
- Ground source heat pump
| Heat Pump | Costs | Heat Source | Heats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air to Air | €1,000-€18,000 | Air from outside your home | The air inside your home |
| Air to Water | €12,000-€18,000 | Air from outside your home | Your water, your home |
| Ground Source | €17,000-€28,000 | From below the ground | Your water, your home |
What Is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An air source heat pump is the most common heat pump found in Ireland. It works in the following fashion:
- The machinery takes the outside air
- It compresses this air to increase its temperature
- That heat is then used to heat your home and water tanks.
These are relatively easy to install as they do not require much renovation work inside the home to be installed.
Within this category lies two other types of air source heat pumps, they are:
Air to Air Heat Pump
This type of pump is used to heat homes only and not hot water tanks. A fan circulates the warm air produced by the pump inside the home.
Air to Water Heat Pump
These are designed to send the heat generated to an existing water-based unit of the home, like a hot water tank or the radiators. They are very effective with underfloor heating over traditional radiators. That is because the heat is produced at a lower temperature than a standard gas central heating.
They are also a good alternative to immersion heaters, which can be costly and inefficient to run.
What Is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
Sometimes referred to as geothermal heat pumps, ground source heat pumps are also installed outside the home but use the heat stored in the ground versus compressing the air.
They are a little more complicated to install as it involves laying pipework in the ground, however, they are a more reliable method as ground temperatures are more consistent than air temperatures.
Think Before Choosing Ground Source Heat Pumps! Although the pipes for ground source heat pumps can be installed vertically, they require you to have plenty of garden space available. This is to allow the required pipes to be laid horizontally where they can be most effective.
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?
An exact amount for how much installing a heat will cost will depend on multiple factors, including:
- Type of heat pump
- The size of your property
- Your budget
- The model and brand of heat pump
- Where you live (ground source pumps work better in colder areas)
- If you qualify for an SEAI grant
- Installation and labour costs
As a result, you can expect to pay anything between €10,000 to €20,000 depending on which factors apply to you.
Despite the high cost, there are SEAI grants available for heat pump installation, which can reduce the cost significantly. Read more about SEAI grants in the next chapter.
Many companies who specialise in heat pump installation can offer you a quote on how much it will cost to install a system on your property.
Some popular Irish companies include:
- Mitsubishi
- Hitachi
- Daikan
- Nibe
- Panasonic
- Samsung
Planning Permission
Like any home renovation project, before conducting any work, verify with your local authority if planning permission is required.
Are There Grants for Heat Pumps?
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offer grants towards the installation of heat pumps as part of their Individual Energy Upgrade Grants scheme.
Grant amounts range from €3,500 to €6,500 depending on the type of home and heat pump you are looking to install.
If you are opting to use the SEAI grant scheme, you must use a certified contractor to receive the grant. Visit the SEAI contractor page to find the one nearest your home.
You can contact The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on 01 808 2100 if you have any further queries about grants and certified contractors.
| System Type | Grant Amount for Apartment | Grand Amount for Any House |
|---|---|---|
| Air to Water heat pump system | €4,500 | €6,500 |
| Ground Source to Water heat pump system | €4,500 | €6,500 |
| Exhaust Air to Water heat pump system | €4,500 | €6,500 |
| Water to Water heat pump system | €3,500 | €6,500 |
| Air to Air heat pump system | N/A | €3,500 |
| Technical Assessment | €200 | |
Source: SEAI Last Updated: 18/07/2024
To learn more about SEAI grants, what's available for homeowners, how much they are etc, you can visit our dedicated SEAI grants page to find everything you need to know.
How Much Can You Save With A Heat Pump?
The average household could save between €500 and €1,500 per year by using a heat pump.
While the upfront costs of installing a heat pump can be high, the impact they can have on your energy bills is an offset to their initial expensive installation as well as being an efficient energy-saving tool.
How much you save is dependent on multiple factors such as your average energy consumption, property size etc, but the biggest impact will be seen in your heating costs as a heat pump eliminates your need to heat your home using fossil fuels such as oil and gas.
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Is It Worth Installing a Heat Pump?
If you are still not sure whether to invest in a heat pump, here are some pros and cons to help you with your decision.
What Are the Advantages of a Heat Pump?
Here are some of the advantages of heat pumps in Ireland:
- They are cheaper to operate than an oil or gas boiler.
- Overall savings on your energy bill.
- They are considered to be better for the environment.
- They require less service and maintenance than standard boilers.
- Offer a good return on investment.
- Currently have government grants available for their installation.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Heat Pump?
Like anything, there are always some drawbacks, here are some of the disadvantages of heat pumps in Ireland:
- They have a high initial cost.
- Can be difficult to install if you have insufficient outdoor space.
- Still use electricity to run, which means they are only ‘green’ if your home is fed by 100% renewable electricity or uses solar panels.
- Can be more difficult to run in extremely cold climates.
Read more of our home energy in our various guides such as ways to save money, wall insulation, and smart thermostat comparison to get more information on what changes you can implement to help protect the environment.
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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.