Heat pump installation from €5,445.00
Terms and conditions apply. Starting price is subject to a property survey, system suitability and agreed scope of works.
HEATING. EXPLAINED.
Heat pumps: understand the system before you invest
An engineering-led guide to how heat pumps work, what affects performance and how to assess whether your building and heating system are ready.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from the outdoor environment into a building. Rather than generating all its heat through combustion or electrical resistance, it transfers existing heat using a refrigerant circuit, compressor and heat exchangers.
A well-designed system can deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed. The actual ratio varies with weather, flow temperature, installation and operating conditions.
Common heat pump types
Air-to-water
Transfers heat from outside air into water for radiators, underfloor heating and, with suitable equipment, domestic hot water.
Air-to-air
Transfers heat from outside air into indoor air. It can provide space heating and often cooling, but typically does not supply radiator circuits.
Ground-source
Extracts heat from the ground through buried collectors or boreholes. Installation needs suitable space, ground conditions and investment.
Is your building ready?
The right starting point is a room-by-room heat-loss assessment at the relevant design outdoor temperature. That establishes the heat required to maintain comfort and helps determine suitable heat emitters and system temperatures.
- Fabric: insulation, glazing, air leakage and ventilation affect heat demand.
- Radiators and underfloor heating: emitters must deliver enough heat at the intended water temperatures.
- Pipework and pumps: flow rates, pressure losses and hydraulic design must suit the system.
- Hot water: cylinder capacity, reheat requirements and control strategy need separate consideration.
- Electrical and site constraints: check supply capacity, unit position, acoustics, condensate and maintenance access.
A heat pump can work in many existing buildings, but suitability and cost depend on the measured requirements—not the age of the property alone.
Why flow temperature matters
As a general principle, a heat pump operates more efficiently when it can meet the building’s demand with a lower heating-water flow temperature. This is why radiator output, underfloor heating design, weather compensation and heat loss should be considered together.
For example, an existing radiator may produce much less heat at 45°C flow than it did on a conventional high-temperature boiler system. Its suitability must be checked using manufacturer output data at the actual design temperatures.
Understanding COP and SCOP
COP (coefficient of performance) compares heat output with electrical input at a particular operating condition. A COP of 3 means 3 kWh of heat output per 1 kWh of electricity input at that condition.
SCOP (seasonal coefficient of performance) is a seasonal efficiency measure under specified test assumptions. Real-world performance may differ due to climate, hot-water use, system temperatures, defrost cycles, controls and installation quality.
Compare products on relevant certified test conditions, not a single headline COP figure.
Heat pump sizing: avoid guesswork
Oversizing or undersizing can affect comfort, cycling, efficiency and cost. Selection should consider the calculated design heat loss, the manufacturer’s available output at local design conditions, required water temperature, domestic hot water strategy and any planned fabric upgrades.
A building’s previous boiler rating is not a reliable substitute for a heat-loss calculation.
Questions to ask before installation
- Has a room-by-room heat-loss calculation been completed and documented?
- What design flow temperature is proposed, and can each emitter meet the room load?
- What heat output can the selected unit deliver at the design outdoor temperature?
- How will domestic hot water, controls, weather compensation and backup heat operate?
- How will the system be commissioned, balanced and performance-checked?
- What are the predicted running costs under clearly stated electricity tariffs and usage assumptions?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need underfloor heating?
No. Many radiator systems can work with heat pumps, provided their outputs are adequate at the proposed flow temperature. Some rooms may need larger radiators or other changes.
Will a heat pump work in an older house?
Potentially, yes. The decision depends on heat loss, emitter capacity, available flow temperatures, installation constraints and project economics. An assessment is more useful than a blanket yes or no.
Does a heat pump always cost less to run than a boiler?
Not necessarily. Running cost depends on seasonal efficiency, energy prices, heat demand, controls and usage. Compare estimated annual heat demand against realistic seasonal performance and current tariffs.
Are grants available in Ireland?
Irish grant schemes and eligibility rules can change. Check the current requirements directly with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) before committing to work. See SEAI for official information.
Plan your heating upgrade with evidence
Start with the building, not the product brochure. Understand the heat loss, emitters, pipework and controls before selecting equipment.
Discuss your project
Christopher: 089 485 4647 · Office: 051 540 809
Serving the South East · Business Registration No. 584642
