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SEAI 2026 · Updated March 2026

Heat Pump Grant Ireland 2026
Up to €12,500

Irish homes running on oil or gas spend €1,800–€3,200 per year on heating. Switching to a heat pump with SEAI's €12,500 grant can cut that bill by up to 50% — and the grant makes the switch financially viable right now.

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The €12,500 grant — 3 components explained

€6,500

Heat pump unit grant

Covers the cost of the heat pump unit itself (air-to-water). This is the base grant available to all eligible homes.

€2,000

Central heating upgrade

Covers upgrading your existing radiators to larger, low-temperature models compatible with heat pump operation.

€4,000

Heat pump bonus

Available to homes starting from BER D1 or lower. Rewards homes making the biggest improvement.

All 3 components can be combined: €6,500 + €2,000 + €4,000 = €12,500 total

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.

Does your home qualify?

✓ Your home likely qualifies if…

  • Built and occupied before 2011
  • Your principal private residence
  • Currently heated by oil, LPG, or solid fuel
  • BER of D1 or below (for full €12,500)
  • Has or can have a hot water cylinder
  • Adequate wall space for outdoor unit

✗ May not qualify if…

  • Home built after 2011
  • Already has a heat pump
  • 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.

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Real costs and savings for Irish homes

Home typeInstall costAfter grantAnnual savingPayback
3-bed semi-D, oil to heat pump€14,000€2,000–€4,000€900/yr3–5 yrs
4-bed detached, oil to heat pump€18,000€6,000–€8,000€1,200/yr5–7 yrs
2-bed apartment, gas to heat pump€12,000€0–€2,000€600/yr0–3 yrs
3-bed bungalow, solid fuel to heat pump€16,000€3,500–€5,500€1,400/yr3–4 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?

  1. Week 1–2
    1

    Home assessment & BER survey

    An SEAI-registered BER assessor visits and records your current energy rating. This is required before works begin for the heat pump grant.

  2. Week 2–4
    2

    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.

  3. Week 4–8
    3

    Installation

    Typical installation takes 3–5 days: outdoor unit fixed, cylinder installed, radiators upgraded, electrical connections made. Your home has full heating throughout.

  4. Week 8–10
    4

    Post-works BER & SEAI application

    A new BER cert is issued after works. Your contractor submits the SEAI grant application on your behalf (or you submit directly at seai.ie).

  5. Week 14–18
    5

    Grant payment

    SEAI processes the application and pays the grant directly to you within 4–6 weeks of submission. You receive €6,500–€12,500 back into your account.

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?

Yes. Many homeowners retain their existing boiler as a backup during the first year. However, SEAI requires the heat pump to be the primary heating system to qualify for the grant.

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.

Ready to claim your €12,500?

Check your eligibility, see your grant amount, and find SEAI-registered contractors near you — all free.

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