Oil Boiler to Heat Pump: Is Your Galway Home Ready?
A practical checklist for switching from oil to a heat pump — insulation, radiators, hot water and grants — before you spend a euro.
Tom MurphyGalway Plumbing Solutions
More Galway homeowners are asking whether to replace their old oil boiler with a heat pump. It can be a great move — lower running costs and no more oil deliveries — if the house is ready. Here’s how to tell.
1. How well does the house hold heat?
A heat pump delivers steady, lower-temperature heat. In a well-insulated house that’s perfect; in a draughty one it struggles. Attic and wall insulation and decent windows come first. A BER assessment tells you where you stand.
2. Are the radiators big enough?
Because heat pumps run cooler than oil boilers, some rooms need larger radiators — or underfloor heating — to feel as warm. We check room by room rather than guessing.
3. Hot water
You’ll need a suitable hot water cylinder. Many older cylinders aren’t designed for heat pumps, so plan for a replacement in the budget.
4. Where the outdoor unit goes
The unit needs a solid base, good airflow and a sensible pipe route into the house. It’s quieter than most people expect, but placement still matters.
5. Grants
SEAI offers grants for heat pumps and related home energy upgrades. Schemes and requirements change, so check SEAI’s current offers before committing — and make sure your installer’s design meets them.
Not ready yet? A well-serviced, efficient oil boiler is still a sensible choice while you insulate. We service, repair and install oil boilers too.
Thinking about a heat pump? Call Tom on 085 172 0646 or send a few photos of your boiler and radiators on WhatsApp — we’ll give you an honest view.
