Heat pumps & grants · Homeowner answer

How do SEAI heat pump grants work?

Short answer

You apply to SEAI and get approval before work starts, an SEAI registered contractor does the work, a BER is done afterwards, and SEAI pays the grant. As at October 2026 the maximum is €14,500 for houses and €11,500 for apartments.

What changes the answer

house type
year of construction
whether a Technical Assessment is needed
which parts of the work qualify

What you can check yourself

check the current figures and conditions on seai.ie
confirm your contractor is SEAI registered

What to do next

Do not start any work before approval — it can cost you the grant.

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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.

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More on heat pumps & grants.

All in this section

Can a heat pump work with my existing radiators?

Often, yes. A heat pump runs at a lower water temperature than a boiler, so each radiator gives out less heat. Rooms where the radiator is generously sized usually keep theirs; smaller radiators in colder rooms may need to be swapped for larger ones. SEAI grant support covers up to €2,000 of central heating upgrades like this.

C. Kenneally · Oct 2026

Heat pump or a new oil boiler?

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.

C. Kenneally · Oct 2026

Is a heat pump right for my house?

It is right for a house that keeps its heat reasonably well and has radiators or underfloor heating that can warm the rooms at a lower water temperature. Many houses are, some need insulation first, and a few are not worth doing.

C. Kenneally · Oct 2026