SEAI 2026 · Last verified 6 October 2026
Heat Pump Grant Ireland 2026
Up to €14,500
Irish homes running on oil or gas spend €1,800–€3,200 per year on heating. Switching to a heat pump with SEAI's grant of up to €14,500 can cut that bill by up to 50% — and the grant makes the switch financially viable right now.
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Up to €14,500 for a house — 3 parts explained
Up to €10,500
Heat pump
Towards the air-to-water heat pump itself.
Up to €2,000
Central heating upgrade
Where needed, towards upgrading radiators or pipework so they work with a heat pump.
€2,000
Boiler scrappage
Paid when an oil or gas boiler, electric storage heating or a solid fuel system is removed. Homes with no central heating also get it. Not paid when replacing an existing heat pump.
Together: up to €14,500 for a detached, semi-detached, end-of-terrace or mid-terrace house. Up to €11,500 for an apartment. Up to €9,500 for an air-to-air heat pump in any home.
The grant cannot be more than the cost of the work. Replacing a heat pump that was not grant-aided: up to €6,500 (€4,500 for an apartment), with no scrappage or central heating grant. Source: SEAI heat pump grant page, checked 6 October 2026.
How does a heat pump work?
An air-to-water heat pump extracts heat from the outside air — even in cold Irish winters — and uses it to heat water that circulates through your radiators and hot water cylinder. For every 1 unit of electricity it uses, it produces 3–4 units of heat. This ratio is called the Coefficient of Performance (COP).
Unlike a gas boiler which burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump moves heat. This makes it far more efficient. At current Irish electricity and gas prices, running costs for a heat pump are typically 30–50% lower than an oil boiler and 20–35% lower than a gas boiler — depending on your home's insulation level.
Heat pumps work best with well-insulated homes and at lower flow temperatures (35–45°C versus 60–70°C for a gas boiler). This is why SEAI recommends completing insulation upgrades before or alongside a heat pump installation.
A heat pump works best in a well-insulated home. SEAI recommends insulating first but it's not a condition of the grant.
Does your home qualify?
✓ Your home likely qualifies if…
- Built and occupied before 2021
- Your principal private residence
- Currently heated by oil, gas, LPG, solid fuel or electric storage heaters, or has no central heating
- Removing an oil or gas boiler, electric storage heating or a solid fuel system (for the €2,000 boiler scrappage grant)
- Has or can have a hot water cylinder
- Adequate wall space for outdoor unit
✗ May not qualify if…
- Home built in 2021 or later
- Already has a grant-aided heat pump (replacing one that was not grant-aided: up to €6,500, or €4,500 for an apartment)
- Not your primary residence
- Listed building with planning restrictions
- No space for outdoor unit or cylinder
Not sure? Check in 2 minutes.
Our free checker assesses your home's eligibility and shows your exact grant amount.
Start your free home checkReal costs and savings for Irish homes
| Home type | Install cost | After grant | Annual saving | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bed semi-D, oil to heat pump | €14,000 | €0–€4,000 | €900/yr | 0–4 yrs |
| 4-bed detached, oil to heat pump | €18,000 | €3,500–€5,500 | €1,200/yr | 3–5 yrs |
| 2-bed apartment, gas to heat pump | €12,000 | €500–€2,500 | €600/yr | 1–4 yrs |
| 3-bed bungalow, solid fuel to heat pump | €16,000 | €1,500–€3,500 | €1,400/yr | 1–3 yrs |
Estimates based on typical Irish homes. Savings assume switching from oil at €1.10/litre or gas at €0.12/kWh. Electricity at €0.35/kWh. Actual savings vary.
How long does the whole process take?
- Week 1–21
Apply to SEAI first
Apply to SEAI and get your grant approval before you buy anything or start work. A technical assessment of your home is part of the heat pump grant.
- Week 2–42
Design & quoting
Your contractor designs the heat pump system — unit size, radiator upgrades, cylinder specification — and provides a detailed quote. Get at least 3 quotes.
- Week 4–83
Installation
Typical installation takes 3–5 days: outdoor unit fixed, cylinder installed, radiators upgraded, electrical connections made. Your home has full heating throughout.
- Week 8–104
Post-works BER & payment claim
A new BER cert is issued after works, and you submit your payment claim to SEAI.
- Week 14–185
Grant payment
SEAI processes the application and pays the grant directly to you within 4–6 weeks of submission. You receive up to €14,500 for a house (€11,500 for an apartment).
Heat pump grant FAQs
Do I need to insulate my home before getting a heat pump?
SEAI does not require insulation as a precondition, but most contractors and energy advisors strongly recommend it. A poorly insulated home reduces heat pump efficiency and can result in higher running costs. Insulating first (or simultaneously) maximises your savings and your BER improvement.
Can I keep my gas or oil boiler as a backup?
If you keep your old oil or gas boiler, you will not get the €2,000 boiler scrappage grant, which is paid only when the old system is removed. SEAI also requires the heat pump to be the main heating system.
What electricity tariff should I use with a heat pump?
A night rate tariff (such as Electric Ireland's NightSaver or Energia's HomeElectric) lets you run your heat pump during cheap overnight hours to heat water and pre-heat your home. This can cut running costs by a further 15–20% versus a flat rate.
Is a heat pump noisy?
Modern air-to-water heat pumps operate at 45–55 decibels at 1 metre — similar to a normal conversation or a quiet dishwasher. They must comply with planning noise guidelines in Ireland. Most homeowners report the sound as barely noticeable from inside.
What happens in very cold weather?
Modern heat pumps operate efficiently down to -20°C. Irish winters rarely drop below -5°C, even in Connacht or Munster. At very low temperatures, an auxiliary electric element in the cylinder provides top-up heat. This is factored into the running cost estimates above.
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Last verified: 2026-06-01