It’s become the must-have piece of kit when it comes to heating Irish homes, but how much will a heat pump cost you?
In this article we cover:
- What is a heat pump
- Types of heat pumps
- Cost of each type of heat pump
- Installation v product costs
- What grants are available
- Median costs: how much most people are paying
The cost of installing a heat pump can fluctuate wildly, from a few thousand euros or pounds to tens of thousands. The cost depends on factors like the type and brand of heat pump, the building’s size, and the complexity of the project.
If you are upgrading an existing home, adapting the heating system, such as increasing the radiator sizes and upgrading the hot water tank, will lead to higher installation costs and extensive plumbing adjustments.
Air to water heat pumps
Air to water heat pumps heat both your water and space. There are two main types, ‘monobloc’ and ‘split’.
Most heat pumps that are fitted in Ireland are monobloc, which have all the components contained within a single outdoor unit. This is in large part because monobloc heat pumps are cheaper to buy and easier to install than split systems.
Since the entire refrigerant cycle happens inside the appliance, installers don’t need a refrigeration certificate (from a qualified refrigeration technician, known as an F-gas installer) when fitting a monobloc heat pump.
However, if your existing hot water storage isn’t compatible, you may need to factor in the cost of buying and installing a buffer cylinder as an extra cost for a monobloc. This saves money as compared to a split system.
Split systems have both indoor and outdoor units, which usually makes them quieter and cheaper to run. They often also contain a buffer cylinder for hot water or central heating backup.
The average cost for a monobloc air to water heat pump is around £5,500 to £9,500 NI / €5,288 to €8,500 ROI
The average cost for a split system air to water heat pump is around £8,188 to £11, 190 NI / €7,318 to €15,800 ROI.
Plus installation costs: £3,200 to £4,500 / €6,700 to €6,900
Air to air heat pumps
While not yet widespread in NI or ROI, air to air heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular.
Air to air heat pumps extract heat from the air outside and transfer it into your home through a ventilation fan system. The heating process can also be reversed for cooling purposes (air conditioning units).
Several types of air to air heat pumps are available and are among the most affordable heat pumps on the market.
An air to air heat pump system is easy to install and doesn’t require extra pipework – making it cheaper than other energy systems. However, they don’t heat your water, so you must add a hot water system.
Single split systems consist of one outdoor unit and one indoor unit. They are ideal for heating or cooling individual rooms or small spaces.
Multi-split systems, on the other hand, have multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit. This allows for zoned heating and cooling, making them suitable for larger homes.
Ducted systems are the most expensive air to air heat pump systems. They are designed to provide whole-house heating and cooling and use a network of ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout the entire building. This type of system is often preferred in new construction or major renovations where ductwork can be installed.
The average cost for air to air heat pump units is in the region of £500 (single split unit) to £1,500 (multi-split 4 units) NI / €625 (single split unit) to €1,870 (multi-split 4 units) ROI. Plus installation costs: £1,100-£4,600/€1,300-€5,400.
Ground source heat pumps
Ground source heat pumps are among the most expensive options, partly because they include a powerful motor and compressor. Ground source heat pumps require a network of pipes to capture heat from the ground, which increases costs further.
Installation adds to the expense. Horizontal loop systems require an excavator to dig trenches, typically taking a few days. Vertical loop systems are even pricier since they require a special rig to drill deep into the earth.
The average cost of ground source heat pumps is around £8,000 to £18,000 NI / €12,500 to €23,500 ROI. Plus installation costs: £5,000-£12,000 / €8,500-€14,000
Sizing up
The size of your heat pump should be a good fit for your home, i.e. you’ll need to choose one that matches the house’s energy demands. Your supplier will do a heating demand analysis but as a rule of thumb a typical three-bedroom home needs a heat output in the region of 12kW, while a four-bedroom house will need a 16kW heat pump outage.
Higher capacity and efficiency units tend to have a higher upfront price tag but offer long term savings on energy bills. For example, an 11.2kW air source heat pump might cost around 50 per cent more than a 5kW equivalent, with prices varying based on brand and model.
Other cost factors
To accommodate the heat pump’s lower output temperature, you might need to improve your home’s insulation and upgrade existing radiators and hot water tanks. Larger properties might need extra ductwork or piping, which could raise installation costs.
Well known heat pump brands are typically more expensive, but these units tend to last longer and run more smoothly. Likewise investing more in an extended warranty for your heat pump will provide you with greater peace of mind.
Grants
Multiple grands and incentives are available in ROI to ease the financial burden of installing a heat pump system. Home constructed before 2021 qualify for grants of up to €6,500 for air to water and ground source heat pump installations, but your home needs to be well insulated to qualify.
Homeowners can receive grants of up to €3,500 for air to air heat pumps. Also, a €200 grant is available to cover assessment costs before applying.
There are grants available to bring your home up to a good enough insulation level that it will qualify for the heat pump grant.
There are no dedicated schemes for heat pumps in NI.
Median Costs
Most homeowners are paying €15k to install a heat pump in ROI, reveals new report. A new report by the Climate Change Advisory Council is urging the ROI government to simplify and reduce the cost of installing heat pumps in homes and workplaces, as well as extend supports for renovating vacant and derelict properties.
According to the council, the median cost of heat pumps in 2023 was €14,868, with a median grant of €6,500 available.
“The purchase and installation costs of heat pumps remain significantly higher than those of
conventional oil and gas boilers,” reads the report.
“The high upfront costof heat pumps has been highlighted as a barrier to adoption, along with ongoing running costs, building and space requirements, trust in and awareness of the technology and a lack of suppliers.”
Read up on the council’s report here
