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Replacing oil boiler with heat pump – Irish households face a decision point as an ageing oil boiler approaches the end of its usability period. With rising fuel costs, new environmental levies, and a shift towards eco-friendly home energy options, it’s not unexpected that heat pumps are gaining traction as a favoured alternative (More info on – How Do Heat Pumps Work ?). If you’re contemplating swapping out your oil boiler for a heat pump, this piece delves into why it’s a wise choice for your finances, your convenience, and the environment (More info on – Oil Boiler Replacement Dublin).
Exploring the Mechanics of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are devices that move heat energy from a heat source to provide warmth in homes and heat water efficiently. For instance, by extracting heat from outdoor air or absorbing it from the ground through buried pipes.
Gas and oil boilers work by burning fuel to produce heat but can lose energy through exhaust gases and pipework inefficiencies in the process; on the other hand, heat pumps operate by transferring heat from a source to a destination using a refrigeration cycle without burning fuel directly (More info on – Combi Gas Boilers Explained). Usually, for every unit of electricity consumed to run the heat pump compressor, it generates 3 to 4 units of heat output, achieving efficiencies of 300 to 400%, which surpasses the most efficient condensing boilers available (More info on – Electric Boiler Installation).
Replace Boiler with an Air Source Heat Pump – Advantages of Setting Up a Heat Pump
There are plenty of reasons why opting for a heat pump is a wise decision when it comes to heating your house.
- Cutting Down Expenses on Heating Bills: Thanks to its efficiency levels in operation, a heat pump has the potential to slash your heating costs considerably (More info on – Heat Pump Retrofit Cost Ireland). Especially beneficial when making the switch from an outdated, non-condensing oil boiler.
- Eco-Friendly Heating: Switching to eco-friendly heating systems like heat pumps can significantly lower the carbon footprint of your home by utilizing a small amount of electricity to extract renewable heat from either the air or ground sources.
- Heating and Cooling Flexibility: Numerous air-to-air heat pumps offer dual functionality by providing warmth during the winter and coolness in the summer to ensure comfort throughout the year. Hydronic heat pumps are a perfect match for radiant floor heating to create a lavish ambience.
- Minimal Maintenance: Heat pumps are simple to maintain as they have fewer moving components and only need basic yearly servicing compared to systems based on combustion (More info on – Heat Pump Maintenance & Service).
- Government Incentives: In Ireland’s situation, the SEAI grants for heat pump systems involve providing up to €6,500 in coverage for system costs, along with grants for insulation and energy upgrades that could help reduce initial expenses even more significantly.
Things to Keep in Mind When Replacing an Oil Boiler with a Heat Pump
To optimise the performance of a heat pump to its potential:
- Heat pumps are most effective in homes that are well-insulated and tightly sealed against air leakage (More info on – Viessmann Heat Pumps). Enhancing the insulation in the attic and walls and adding triple-glazed windows can reduce heat loss and enhance performance.
- You might have to adjust the size of your radiators because heat pumps operate at lower temperatures compared to what boilers do. Another option is to consider using larger surface area emitters, such as underfloor heating, as they can work well in this scenario.
- You should find spots for outdoor and indoor heat pump units that adhere to the manufacturers’ spacing recommendations and take into account any noise or visual disturbances they may cause.
- During chilly conditions, a heat pump might require an additional heat source, like an immersion heater for heating water or a small electric heater to help with warming up living spaces.
Replacing Oil Boiler with Heat Pump – Different Brands for Heat Pumps
In Ireland, the primary heat pump options for heating are:
- Air-to-Water Heat Pump systems extract warmth from the air to fuel a central heating setup that includes radiators or underfloor heating and supplies hot water for household use—a favoured choice for replacing boilers (More info on – Hot Water Cylinder Price Ireland).
- Air-to-Air Heat Pumps operate by extracting warmth from the air and circulating it indoors using wall-mounted air handling units for both heating and cooling purposes; however, they are unable to heat water and can be used in conjunction with an already existing heating system (More info on – What are the Disadvantages of Air to Water Heat Pumps?).
Top heat pump manufacturers, such as Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Nibe, Vaillant, Viessmann, Samsung, and LG, are great choices. They often come with features for easy control and remote monitoring. When selecting one, it’s important to opt for an installer who is SEAI-registered to ensure a quality job based on your requirements.
Replace My Oil Boiler – The Benefits of Investing in a Heat Pump
Installing a heat pump can vary considerably in cost, depending on factors such as capacity requirements, groundwork involved, location considerations, and rates charged by installers. An air-source heat pump for a three-bedroom house may cost from €18,000 to €40,000 without grants applied.
Though the initial investment may be higher compared to installing an oil boiler from scratch, you will save on energy bills over time and enjoy added advantages, such as a more efficient and eco-friendly heating system that could potentially increase the resale value of your property.
Ireland’s SEAI offers grants ranging from €3,500 to €6,500 for air-to-water heat pumps, with grants between €800 and €1,500 available for air-to-air heat pumps. In addition, funding may also be available to enhance your heat pump operation, such as insulation, heating controls, or solar panels that complement its operation.
- Air-to-Water Heat Pumps: Grants range from €3,500 to €6,500, depending on the type of dwelling. For example, apartments can receive €4,500, while semi-detached and detached homes are eligible for the maximum grant of €6,500.
- Air-to-Air Heat Pumps: Grants for these systems are available between €800 and €1,500, depending on the specific circumstances and type of installation
Switching out an oil boiler for a more energy-efficient heat pump offers Irish residents many benefits. Not only will this change help lower energy costs and carbon footprint, but it will also improve comfort, sustainability, and efficiency of home heating systems.
If you are thinking of replacing your oil boiler in Ireland, it would be advisable to have a professional evaluate and provide a quote for installing a heat pump system instead. With energy changes occurring across electricity grids and A-rated homes rising, heat pumps seem the future for heating homes here in Ireland.
Reach out to our Plumbing & Heating specialists if you require guidance in choosing an appropriate heat pump and for more information regarding available choices
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