Boiler Grants in Ireland 2024: What Is Available?

By David Tait Reviewed by Cormac Breen

Editorial Manager

There are no longer boiler grants available in Ireland.  As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Irish Government has banned oil boilers from new builds (as of 2022) and will extend this to gas boilers from new builds from 2025. However, homeowners can benefit from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Heating Controls Grant, which provides financial support for upgrading heating controls to indirectly enhance boiler efficiency.

Are There Boiler Grants In Ireland?

There are no longer grants available for gas or oil boilers in Ireland. As part of its Climate Action Plan, the Irish Government has banned oil boilers from new builds (as of 2022) and will extend this to gas boilers from new builds from 2025.

Until 2018, there was a grant available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), called the SEAI Boiler Grant. This grant was discontinued, with a focus placed instead on phasing out fossil fuel boilers and encouraging a move to more sustainable and environmentally friendly means of home heating.

In place of this, the SEAI now offer alternative heating grants, which aim to provide financial support towards homeowners looking to increase the efficiency of their current home heating systems.

The grants available are the:

1. Heating Controls Upgrade
2. Heat Pump System Grant

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What Is the Heating Controls Upgrade Grant?

The Heating Controls Upgrade Grant aims to help install a different heating controls system into your home.

The grant provides up to €700 towards their installation.

They work by matching your heating and hot water schedules to the way you use your home to offer a more efficient way to heat your home and hot water.

You can use the grant to upgrade the heating controls for the following:

• Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV)
  Valves that regulate the temperature of individual radiators, allowing for room-by-room control and energy savings by only heating occupied rooms.
• 7 Day Programmable Timer
  A device that programs the heating system to turn on and off at specific times, improving efficiency helping energy savings by not heating the house when it is unoccupied.
• Boiler Interlock
  A safety feature that prevents the boiler from operating unless certain conditions are met, ensuring safe operation and energy savings by preventing the boiler from running when it is not needed.
• Time-Temperature Control of Electric Immersion Heater
  A device that programs an electric immersion heater in a water storage tank to turn on and off at specific times and set temperature, improving efficiency and boosting energy savings by not heating the water when it is not needed.

All homeowners, including private landlords, whose homes were built and occupied before 2011 can apply for the grant.

What Is the Heat Pump System Upgrade?

Heat pumps are renewable heating systems offering lower energy costs and reduced carbon emissions. Your home must well insulated to benefit from a heat pump.

Grant amounts range from €3,500 to €6,500 depending on the type of home and heat pump you are looking to install.

This grant covers a range of heat pump systems and, where applicable, a grant towards your technical assessment. Heat pump grants are paid for first time systems.

To apply for the Heat Pump System Grant, visit the SEAI application portal to submit your application.

Learn More About Heat Pumps in Our Guide!

Should I Get a Heat Pump or a New Boiler?

Due to the high cost of a new boiler and there no longer being any direct boiler grants available in Ireland, you might be considering heat pumps as an alternative for upgrading your home's heating efficiency.

Below you'll find a comparison between heat pumps and traditional oil and gas boilers to help you decide which would be the better choice:

Are There Boiler Grants for Pensioners?

Grants from the SEAI, for all types of home improvements including home heating upgrades, are not limited to, nor excluded from, pensioners. 

These grants are intended to make homes in Ireland more energy efficient, regardless of the age of the person.

Any homeowner who is also a pensioner can apply for these grants provided their home meets the eligibility criteria.

If you are in need of additional financial assistance to help with the cost of your home heating, you could apply for one of the following schemes:

• Free Electricity Allowance 
• Fuel Allowance
• Household Benefits Package

What Types of Boilers Are There in Ireland?

The cost of a boiler can vary depending on its type and size, as well as the location and complexity of the installation. On average, a new boiler in Ireland can cost between €1,500 and €3,500, including the cost of installation.

However, with boiler grants in Ireland, homeowners can get help to cover part of the costs while also reducing the cost of boiler servicing, in particular for gas boilers, for outdated or inefficient models that require maintenance.

Here’s a list of the different types of boilers and their costs:

1. Electric Boiler
   Electric boilers convert electricity to heat and do not require a flue or fuel storage. They are ideal for properties without access to gas and are cheaper to install, but electricity is more expensive than gas in Ireland. The average cost for an electric boiler in Ireland is between €1,500 to €3,000.
2. Combi Boiler
   A combi boiler provides both heating and hot water without the need for a separate hot water cylinder. The average cost for a combi boiler in Ireland is between €1,500 to €2,500.
3. Condensing Boiler
   A condensing boiler captures lost heat from your oil or gas boiler and redirects it back into the system, improving its efficiency. They cost between €1,500 - €3,500.
4. Gas Boiler
   A gas boiler is a boiler that runs on natural gas as a fuel source. It requires a connection to a natural gas supply and a flue for venting. The average cost for a gas boiler in Ireland is between €1,500 to €3,500.
5. Oil Boiler
   An oil boiler is a boiler that runs on oil as a fuel source. It requires a storage tank for the oil and a separate tank for the expansion of the water. An oil boiler in Ireland costs between €2,000 to €4,000.
6. Biomass Boiler
   A biomass boiler is a boiler that runs on organic materials such as wood, pellet or chips. It's an eco-friendly alternative to electric or gas boilers, as it uses a renewable energy source. Biomass boilers are some of the most expensive in Ireland, costing between €9,000 to €20,000.

Reduce The Risk Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Make sure to have your boiler serviced regularly and install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.