Heat Pump Running Cost Comparison
Cheaper than oil or gas to run? The honest annual cost per fuel.
SEAI Heat Pump Grant Checker (Ireland, 2026)
The SEAI heat-pump grant rose sharply in 2026, to as much as €12,500 — which has brought a fresh wave of homeowners to the question. This checker tells you whether you qualify, whether your house is actually ready for a heat pump, and what one is likely to cost to run compared with your current oil or gas.
Reviewed Jul 23, 2026
The tool
Open the tool full-screen ↗Use it right here — nothing is saved, and there’s no sign-up.
This tool may link to relevant products and services to keep it free. Affiliate links are marked and are placeholders during this early phase — see our affiliate disclosure
What to know
A heat pump only works well in a home that holds its heat. That is why SEAI requires a technical assessment and a heat-loss indicator before a grant is approved: if your fabric is leaky, a heat pump will be expensive to run and disappointing to live with. The honest sequence for many homes is insulate first, heat pump second — and this tool will tell you when that applies to you rather than pushing you straight to the grant.
Running cost is where the real decision is made. A heat pump delivers three to four units of heat per unit of electricity, but Irish electricity costs several times more than gas per unit, so the result is close and depends on your house, your tariff and your seasonal efficiency. When the maths says “not yet”, the tool routes you to insulation quotes instead of a dead end.
How this tool works
No sign-up, nothing saved — here is what it does with your answers.
- Tell the tool your home’s age, size, current heating fuel and insulation level.
- It checks the eligibility rules and flags whether you likely need fabric upgrades before a heat pump makes sense.
- You get your grant figure, a readiness verdict and an estimated running cost against oil or gas.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SEAI heat pump grant now?
As of the February 2026 rates it is worth up to €12,500 for a suitable home, a significant increase on previous years.
Does my house need to be insulated first?
Usually, yes. SEAI requires a heat-loss assessment, and a poorly insulated home will be costly to heat with a heat pump. Our BER estimator and insulation grant checker help you plan that first step.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than oil or gas?
It can be, but not always. In a well-insulated home it usually wins; in a leaky home, or against cheap mains gas at day rates, it can cost more. The running-cost comparison tool gives you the honest number.
Related tools
Working through a project? These pair up.
SEAI Insulation Grant Checker
Attic, cavity and wall grants — what you get, real cost and payback.
BER Estimator
What BER is my house — and which single upgrade moves it most?
SEAI Solar Grant Checker
Check your solar PV grant, real install cost and payback for 2026.
These tools give honest indications using current published rates and guidance, not professional advice. Rules, prices and provider terms change — always confirm the current figures with the relevant official body, provider or qualified professional before you commit.