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Climate & Energy · Republic of Ireland

Is your home ready for a heat pump?

A heat pump works best when the home can stay comfortable with low-temperature heating. Check insulation, airtightness, ventilation, radiators or underfloor heating, hot-water demand and electrical capacity before choosing the unit.

Published 11 July 2026Last reviewed 11 July 2026Published by Around.ie · Reviewed by Around Editorial DeskReview by 11 January 2027 or when official guidance changes

Begin with heat loss

Heat pumps move heat rather than creating it by burning fuel. Their efficiency depends on the temperature the system must deliver. A home that loses heat quickly or needs very hot radiators can cost more to run and may struggle to reach the expected comfort.

SEAI says homes built before 2007 may need insulation improvements. A registered technical adviser can assess suitability and identify the work needed for the grant route.

Look beyond insulation

  • Calculate room-by-room heat loss and size emitters for the proposed flow temperature.
  • Plan controlled ventilation when airtightness improves.
  • Check the hot-water cylinder, pipework and available plant space.
  • Have an electrician assess supply and connection requirements.
  • Ask how controls, weather compensation and backup modes will operate.

Demand a designed system

A quote based only on floor area is not a heat-loss design. Ask for design temperatures, output calculations, expected seasonal performance and responsibility for commissioning. Compare the whole installation, not just the heat-pump model.

Prepare before failure: assessing an older home while its boiler still works leaves time to improve fabric and compare designs without an emergency purchase.

Sources and review record

This guide provides general information for the Republic of Ireland. Check the linked official guidance for your circumstances and current rules.