What are heat pumps?
A heat pump is a highly efficient heating system that moves heat from one place to another, rather than generating heat by burning oil or gas. It extracts heat from the air, ground, or water outside your home, and then uses it for space heating, hot water, or cooling depending on the type of system.
Space heating
A heat pump can connect to your home’s central heating system or heat rooms directly with air-to-air systems.
Hot water
Modern heat pumps can also meet your home’s hot water needs with a new hot water cylinder with larger coils.
Home cooling
Air-to-air heat pumps also offer a cooling function that turns them into air conditioners when the system runs in reverse.
Heat Pump Costs Guide
Heat pumps are more affordable than you might think. See how much one costs for your home in 2026.
Heat Pump Grants Guide
Get up to €12,500 in SEAI grants towards the cost of a heat pump for your home.
Heat pump efficiency
Efficiency is the single most important characteristic of a heat pump. It expresses how much heat it delivers to your home compared to how much electricity it uses. This is often called the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP).
The main things to keep in mind for managing this efficiency are:
- The flow temperature of the water.
- How well insulated your home is.
- Having the right-sized heat pump.
Learn more about heat pump efficiency.
Types of heat pumps
Air-to-Water Heat Pumps
Air-to-water heat pumps take energy from the outside air and connect to the central heating system of a home.
Ground & Water Source Heat Pumps
Ground and water source heat pumps take energy from the ground or a body of water instead of the outside air.
Find a registered heat pump installer in Ireland
Installing a heat pump is not as simple as swapping out an old boiler. You’ll need a qualified professional to avoid serious problems later and to make sure that you get the best value for your money. Here’s what to look for in an installer:
- SEAI registered so you don’t miss out on €12,500 in grant money.
- A Safe Electric certification and an appropriate QQI Level 6 or equivalent qualification.
- A history of good reviews from previous customers.
More home heating options
Electric Boilers Guide
Electric boilers can replace fossil fuels, but at what cost to homeowners?
Reduce your heating bills by hundreds of euro with a heat pump
Reduce your heating bills by hundreds of euro with a heat pump
Take a 30-second assessment to start your journey to a more comfortable home today
