Heat Pump vs Gas Boiler: Which Is Right for Your Home?
A heat pump costs more upfront but can qualify for a grant of up to €12,500 and is usually far more efficient, while a gas boiler is cheaper to install but has no grant and uses fossil fuel. Which is right depends mostly on how well insulated your home is.
- Upfront cost and grants
- Efficiency and running costs
- Which homes suit each
- What to do next
Side-by-side comparison
| Heat pump | Gas boiler | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical installed cost | €12,000–€20,000 | €2,800–€4,500 |
| SEAI grant | Up to €12,500 | None |
| Efficiency | Typically 3–4 units of heat per unit of electricity | Around 0.9 units of heat per unit of gas |
| Best for | Well-insulated homes | Poorly insulated homes not ready for upgrades |
| Fuel | Electricity, which can come from renewables | Fossil gas |
| Lifespan | Around 15–20 years | Around 12–15 years |
Figures are typical ranges for Irish homes; your costs will depend on your home and system.
SEAI grant calculator
Estimate the grants you could get and what you might pay after grants. Takes under a minute.
Estimates only, based on published 2026 grant amounts and typical Dublin prices. Grant amounts and rules can change: confirm on seai.ie before you apply.
When a heat pump makes sense
- Your home is well insulated, or you're insulating anyway
- You qualify for the SEAI grant
- You're doing a wider renovation or retrofit
- You want lower carbon emissions and to move away from fossil fuels
When a gas boiler may suit better for now
- Your home is poorly insulated and you can't upgrade it yet
- Your current boiler has failed and you need heat quickly
- Your budget is very limited in the short term
If you replace a boiler now, consider insulating over the next few years so you're ready for a heat pump later.
What to do next
The best first step is a technical assessment or BER, which shows how ready your home is for a heat pump and which upgrades would help. See the heat pump grant guide for how the grant works.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a gas boiler?
In a well-insulated home, a heat pump is usually much more efficient. Actual running costs depend on electricity and gas prices and how well insulated your home is.
Can I get a grant for a gas boiler?
No. SEAI grants support heat pumps, not gas boilers.
Will a heat pump work in an old house?
It can, once the house is insulated well enough. A technical assessment will tell you.
Do heat pumps work in Irish weather?
Yes. Ireland's mild climate suits air-to-water heat pumps well.
Do I need new radiators for a heat pump?
Sometimes. Heat pumps work at lower temperatures, so some radiators may need upgrading. The grant includes up to €2,000 for this.
What's the first step?
Get a technical assessment or BER to see whether your home is ready.
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