SEAI Heat Pump Grant Checker
Up to €12,500 — check eligibility, heat-pump readiness and running cost.
Heat Pump Running Cost Comparison (Ireland)
“Heat pump running costs” is the sceptical, objection-stage question that decides a €13,000–€18,000 purchase. This tool answers it honestly: put in your heat demand and real fuel prices and it compares the annual running cost of a heat pump against oil and gas — and, unlike the sales pitch, it will tell you when a heat pump is dearer to run.
Reviewed 23 jul 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’s running cost is decided by two numbers: its seasonal efficiency (SCOP), which is how many units of heat you get per unit of electricity, and the price of that electricity. In a warm, well-insulated house a heat pump runs at a high SCOP and usually beats oil. In a leaky house, or against cheap mains gas at day rates, the same heat pump can lose — because Irish electricity costs several times more per unit than gas.
This is the honest differentiator: a good comparison should sometimes say “not yet” and pivot to insulating first, which is exactly what shrinks the heat demand and lifts the SCOP. This tool feeds the grant checker (that one answers “what grant”; this one answers “will it cost less to run”) and keeps a sensible next step — insulation — on the sessions where the answer is not yet.
How this tool works
No sign-up, nothing saved — here is what it does with your answers.
- Enter your annual heat demand (or house size) and the current price of your fuel and electricity.
- The tool applies a realistic seasonal efficiency (SCOP) and compares annual cost across heat pump, oil and gas.
- You see the honest annual running cost per fuel — including when a heat pump would cost more.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump always cheaper to run than oil?
No. In a well-insulated home it usually is; in a poorly insulated one it can be dearer, because a low seasonal efficiency plus high electricity prices erase the advantage.
What is SCOP and why does it matter so much?
SCOP is the seasonal number of heat units delivered per unit of electricity. A higher SCOP means cheaper running — and it depends heavily on how well your home holds heat.
Should I insulate before switching?
Usually yes. Insulation lowers your heat demand and raises the achievable SCOP, which is what makes a heat pump cheap to run rather than expensive.
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?
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.