Heat pumps & grants · Comparison
Heat pump or a new oil boiler?
Short answer
If the house is reasonably well insulated, a heat pump is usually worth pricing alongside a new oil boiler: there is a substantial SEAI grant for heat pumps and none for a like-for-like oil boiler, and running costs are often lower. If the house is poorly insulated and you cannot do the fabric upgrades yet, a new oil boiler can still be the sensible choice for now.
What changes the answer
- insulation and the BER of the house
- the year the house was built (affects whether a Technical Assessment is needed)
- radiator sizes
- space outside for the unit and inside for a cylinder
- your budget and timescale
What you can check yourself
- find your BER certificate if you have one
- note the age of the oil boiler and tank
- check the SEAI website for the current heat pump grant
What to do next
Ask for both prices. We give you the heat pump price with the grant shown against it, and the oil boiler price, side by side.
This page gives general information only. Christy needs to see your system — in person or from your photos — before he can give you firm advice or a price.