Our Complete Guide to Heating Systems in Ireland
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There are several different heating systems available in Ireland ranging from traditional oil and gas fired systems to more modern, environmentally friendly systems such as heat pumps and solar water heating. Heating systems can cost anywhere from €1,000 to €10,000 and more to install depending on the type of system you choose. There are SEAI grants available for the installation of heating systems such as solar panals and heat pumps but there are no longer grants available for gas or oil boilers.
What Types of Home Heating Systems in Ireland Are There?
There are various types of home heating systems in Ireland with each using one of the following fuel sources:
- Gas
- Oil
- Renewables
- Electricity
- Biomass
Gas, oil electricity, renewables and biomass boilers are often used to power a central heating system that includes water while electric space heaters to heat a particular room in a house.
Our home heating systems guide will take a look at each in more detail and will highlight the pros and cons of each system.
Gas Boilers
Gas boilers work by using natural gas to fire a condensing boiler to heat water which is then pumped through radiators to heat homes.
Your home must be connected to the gas network and you will need to be in contract with a gas supplier to access the gas.
Condensing boilers are more efficient as they recapture heat from flue gases, with some being 99% efficient in fuel energy extraction.
Combination boilers can heat water from source instantaneously and are much more efficient than immersion heaters and easier to repair and service.
Pros
- More cost effective than oil or electrical heaters as gas is cheaper.
- Highly efficient with certain models achieving 99% efficiency meaning lower bills.
- Quickly heat your home which can be important in colder winter months.
- Relaible and consistent.
Cons
- Carbon emitting fuel contributing to global warming.
- Can be expensive to install as part of a retrofit or new build.
- Subject to regulatory charges such as the carbon tax.
- Can be dangerous if not maintained properly as carbon monoxide can leak out.
Selectra's Gas Boiler Tip
"Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home and make sure to get your boiler serviced regualary as old and malfunctioning boilers can leak carbon monoxide which is a poisonous and deadly gas"
Oil Fired Boilers
Oil fired boilers work in a similar way to gas boilers in that the boiler burns oil to heat water which is then pumped throughout your home.
Unlike gas boilers, oil fired boilers require an on site source of oil which is normally stored in a large tanker on your property. You will have to have oil delivered to your home to keep your heating system working.
Oil boilers are a good option for people living in rural areas as often these homes don't have access to the gas network.
Pros
- Highly efficient heating your home quickly and effectively.
- Oil is more widely available than gas making it a good choice for people in rural areas.
- Easily integrated with existing home heating systems.
- More cost-effective than other sources of heat such as electricity.
Cons
- Price can fluctuate and is vulnerable to global energy price changes.
- Carbon emitting fuel contributing to global warming.
- Requires a large, on-site tank for storage.
- Subject to increasing regulatory charges such as the Carbon Tax
Carbon Tax Increase 2024
The rate of carbon tax will increase to €63.50 per year in line with the annual rate increase of €7.50.
Renewables
More and more people are opting to heat their homes with renewable sources of energy. This is to reduce dependency on fossil fuels such as oil and gas as a heat source given the volatility of their price, along with the negative environmental impact they have from carbon emissions.
Renewable sources of heating in Ireland at the moment are:
- Heat Pumps
- Solar water heaters
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are an efficient way to heat your home, drawing heat from the environment and working best in well-insulated houses with proper glazing and low-temperature radiators.
They are cost-effective, reducing heating bills by up to 50% compared to gas boilers, and are environmentally friendly, significantly cutting down on carbon emissions. Most heat pumps also provide hot water, making them a versatile and eco-conscious choice for home heating.
Heat pumps are also an effective means of fuelling underfloor heating which is a much more efficient way of heating your home compared to traditional radiators.
The SEAI are offering grants for heat pump installation of up to €6500 depending on the type of heat pump you are installing.
They also add to the value of your house as they improve your BER (Building Energy Rating).
Find Out More in Our Heat Pump Guide!
Solar Water Heaters
If you have solar panels installed on your home, you can use the heat captured from the sun to directly heat your water. They are particulary effective in summer time when hot water needs are less than in winter.
Similar to fuel pumps, they are a carbon neutral means of heating water and can help improve the BER rating of your home.
The SEAI offer grants of €1200 to help with the installtion of solar water heaters.
Pros
- Positive environmental impact and help reduce carbon emissions.
- Sustainable energy source.
- Lower home energy costs and dependency on fossil fuels.
- SEAI grants available to help with installation.
Cons
- High installation and maintenance costs.
- Can be affected by seasonal weather changes reducing efficiency.
- Can take years for initial investment to be recouped from savings.
- Require sufficient space on your home for installation.
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Electricity
Electricity is another common source of heating fuel and is often used in smaller homes that don't have access to alternative sources of fuel, or lack the space or budget for the installtion of alternative systems.
As electricity tends to be more expensive than gas or oil, it can be an expensive source of heating for your home.
Electric Boilers
Similar to gas and oil boilers, electric boilers use electricity as their means of heating hot water that is then pumped throughout your home.
Like with other boiler systems, electric boilers also come as standard or as a combination boiler which can heat water from source on demand reducing the need for a hot water tank and take up less space in your home.
However, they can also only heat small amounts of water at a time meaning they may not be suitable for larger properties and given that they run on electricity, can be expensive due to the cost of electricity in Ireland.
Storage Heaters
Storage heaters use electricity efficiently and take advantage of cheaper night energy rates to heat up ceramic bricks overnight, and then release this energy over the following day.
While utilising night time rates makes them a cheaper means of heating than an electric boiler, the delayed release of heat the next day means they can't be used on demand.
They also can't heat water and as such, are only an alternative to a central heating system as you will still need another means to heat water in your home.
Immersion Heaters
Immersion heaters are only used to heat water. They are a bit like giant kettles in that a conductive element is used to heat the water. They also run off electricity making them more expensive than gas or oil for water heating.
Despite this, they can also be easily connected to solar panels, and if well-insulated, they will keep water hot for hours after being switched off.
Immersion heaters can be useful as a means of topping up hot water produced by your boiler but if they become the primary means of heating water in your home, will be expensive.
Find Out More in Our Immersion Guide!
Pros
- Highly efficient and covert nearly all of their energy.
- Safer than gas or oil boilers as there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or explosions.
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Take up much less space than gas or oil boilers.
Cons
- Can be expensive as electricity is more expensive than gas.
- Dependency on electricity means no heating or hot water in a power outage.
- Not suitable for heating large amounts of water.
- Subject to additional costs such as PSO Levy.
Biomass Boilers
Biomass boilers rely on a solid state fuels such as wood, coal or pellets to fire your boiler. While pellets and wood can be considered carbon-neutral, coal is a big emitter of carbon and is subject to the carbon tax.
Biomass boilers also require the purchase and proper storage of fuel on your property which require suitable space and storage. In the case of wood, it's very important to ensure that the wood remains dry to be effectively used as fuel.
While biomass boilers can be cost-effective due to their lack of dependency on electricity or gas, they do produce a byproduct in the form of ash which will have to be disposed of.
Biomass boilers may be a good choice for people living in rural areas who have ample space for both storing the fuel, and disposing of ash residue.
Pros
- Considered a renewable source of energy and in the case of wood, carbon neutral.
- Highly efficient meaning lower bills.
- More environmentally friendly than oil or gas.
- Supports local economies who supply fuel as opposed to imported fuel.
Cons
- High initial cost and installation.
- Require a large storage space for the fuel.
- Requires the disposal of byproducts such as ash.
- Can emit air pollutants through the burning of wood.
Are There Other Heating Systems?
While a well-maintained central heating system should be enough to heat your home, there are times, in particular during winter, when you need to boost the heating in certain parts of your home.
Known as space heaters, they can be physically placed in rooms where you spend more time such as a bedroom or living room while working from home in order to boost the temperature.
Popular space heaters include:
- Portable electric heaters
- Gas fired heaters
- Wall-mounted heaters
- Open fires
- Imitation fire electrical heaters
- Halogen portable heaters
Space heaters are a convenient way to support your central heating system but can be expensive to run as the majority run off of electricity.
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Which is the Best Home Heating System for Me?
Finding the best home heating system for your home will depend on a number of factors.
Some key issues we advise you to keep in mind when researching, updating or changing your home heating system include the following:
- Cost
Cost will obviously be an important deciding factor, depending on your personal situation. Not only the initial cost, but also maintenance and upgrade costs. - Fuel Accessibility
Gas is currently much cheaper than electricity when it comes to heating your house, so if you’re not connected to the gas network, you’ll need to weigh up the cost of connection against using electricity, installing an oil tank, or alternative heating resources such as solar, or heat pumps. - Your Individual Situation
There is a sizable difference in the energy requirements of a five-bedroom house occupied by five people, and a five-bedroom house occupied by one person. You’ll need to consider which spaces need to be heated constantly, and which can do with being rarely heated (spare bedrooms for example). - How Energy Efficient Your Home Is
If your house is well-insulated and airtight, you won’t need a system with as much capacity for heat and hot water generation.
What Are Some Home Heating Hacks?
If you're looking to save some money on your energy bills, there are various home heating hacks you can implement beyond the type of home heating system you choose.
- Use Blackout Curtains
Having them closed at night reduces heat loss through your windows in winter. If you close them during the day, they can also keep your house from heating up too much during the summer. - Take Advantage of Sunlight
During the winter months, open your curtains during the day to let the sunlight increase the temperature inside your home. Remember to close them again at night to trap the heat. - Eliminate Drafts in Your Home
Add draft excluders under doors and use insulating tape on other problem areas. You can buy a cheap roll at your local home improvement shop. - Insulate Your Home
Adding insulation to your home is the most cost-efficient way to upgrade your home heating system. If replacing your insulation seems like too much of an expense, you can still benefit from adding more insulation on top of what is already in place. - Glaze Your Windows
Double (and even triple) glazing will reduce condensation, heat loss and noise pollution. It will also increase your home's security (by making the windows harder to break), as well as reduce interior fading. - Reflect the Heat from Your Radiators
Radiator reflector foils are not only cheap, but they're also easy to install. These panels will stop radiator heat from being absorbed by your walls rather than heating up the air in the room.
Check Out Our Energy Saving Guide!
Are There Any Home Heating Grants?
Upgrading your home heating system can be expensive. Fortunately, there are various home heating grants available through SEAI. These include the following:
- Heat Pumps Systems Grants
- Heating Controls Grants
- Solar Water Heating Grants
Currently There Are No Direct Boiler Grants in Ireland! The SEAI no longer offers direct boiler grants to homeowners looking to replace their boilers with a more efficient model. The SEAI now only provides a Heating Controls Grant, which allows you to pay for upgrades that can indirectly improve your boiler’s efficiency.
In addition to the above grants, others are also available that can improve the efficiency of heating your home.
- Insulation Grants
- Draught Proofing Grants
- Window and Door Grants
Check Out Our SEAI Grants Guide!
Learn More About Energy Saving Our energy guide articles contain lots of useful information on saving energy, lowering costs and how to have a more positive impact on the environment.
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