Full heating systems · Ireland
Central Heating Installation Ireland: Costs, Systems and Local Installers
A new or replacement central heating system, boiler, radiators, controls and pipework, with county-by-county guidance on what it costs, which fuel suits your home, and how to choose the right installer for the job.
The law
Central Heating Installation in Ireland: What the Law Requires
A wet central heating system is a mix of trades. The radiators, pipework and controls are general heating and plumbing work, but the gas boiler at the heart of the system must be installed by an RGI-registered gas installer, a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. An unregistered installer cannot certify the gas element, your home insurance may be invalidated, and the work cannot be included in a BER certificate.
How Long Does Central Heating Installation Take?
A full system install takes two to four working days. A boiler and radiators upgrade is two to three, while adding controls takes one.
SEAI Grants for Heating Upgrades in 2026
Up to €6,500 for a heat pump system and up to €700 for a heating controls upgrade, through SEAI-registered contractors.
Local coverage
Central Heating Installation by County in Ireland
Central heating is never one-size-fits-all. What you pay, whether your home runs on gas, oil or a heat pump, and how fast an installer can reach you all come down to where in Ireland you live. Choose your county for 2026 pricing that reflects real local costs, the fuel and system options that actually apply to your area, and heating installers working on your doorstep.
Leinster
12 countiesMost of Leinster runs on the natural gas grid, so gas central heating with a combi or system boiler is the common install, from Dublin terraces replacing an old gravity system to fully pumped setups across the Meath, Kildare and Wicklow commuter belt. Upgrading tired radiators and adding zoned controls is the work installers see most.
Munster
6 countiesCork and Limerick cities sit on the gas network, but much of rural Munster, Kerry and west Cork included, is off-grid on oil. Oil central heating replacements and oil-to-heat-pump system upgrades backed by SEAI grants make up the bulk of central heating installation work across the province.
Connacht
5 countiesNatural gas barely reaches the west, so Galway, Mayo and the surrounding counties run oil central heating, with heat pumps growing fast. Exposed Atlantic weather and older one-off rural homes mean high heat demand and steady work upgrading whole systems, radiators and controls together.
Ulster
3 countiesCavan, Monaghan and Donegal are almost entirely off the gas grid, so oil central heating is the mainstay, with heat pumps close behind. Colder northern winters and older rural housing stock make efficient full-system upgrades and insulation-first heating installs a priority here.
Browse heating installers in any county in the full plumber directory.
The options
Central Heating Systems in Ireland: Which Suits Your Home?
Gas Central Heating
A gas boiler feeding radiators and a hot water supply, run through modern zoned controls. The common choice on the gas grid and the easiest system to upgrade to fully pumped. Supply and fit.
Oil Central Heating
For homes off the gas network. A condensing oil boiler drives the radiators and cylinder, with new controls added to lift efficiency. SEAI grants apply when moving the whole system to a heat pump.
Heat Pump Central Heating
An air source heat pump running low-temperature radiators or underfloor pipework. Best paired with good insulation and larger radiators, and eligible for the SEAI heat pump grant of up to €6,500.
2026 prices
Central Heating Cost Ireland 2026: Typical Prices by Job Type
Typical ranges for a whole-system approach. All figures include labour and VAT at 9%.
Full system install
€4,500–€7,500
Boiler, radiators, controls and pipework
Boiler + radiators upgrade
€3,500–€5,500
New boiler with replacement radiators
Heating controls & zoning
€350–€900
Room stats, timers and zone valves
System power flush
€400–€700
Clears sludge before or after an upgrade
Annual service
€80–€120
Recommended every 12 months
For a full breakdown see our Ireland plumbing costs guide.
SEAI grants
SEAI Grants for Central Heating Upgrades
Grants are available for a heat pump system (up to €6,500) and a heating controls upgrade (up to €700). A like-for-like gas or oil boiler swap does not qualify directly. Work must be carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor before any grant can be claimed.
See SEAI-registered plumbers →Hiring
How to Find a Central Heating Installer in Ireland
The gas boiler in any system must be fitted by an RGI-registered installer. Here is how to verify and hire correctly for the whole job.
Browse Plumbers and Heating Installers in Your County
Every plumber and heating installer listed in our plumber directory covers central heating work. Browse by county, find installers near you, and contact them directly. For the gas boiler, confirm RGI registration at rgii.ie for additional peace of mind.
Get Three Written Quotes for the System
Quotes should name the boiler or heat pump model, the number of radiators, the controls being fitted and any pipework changes. A quote without a named heat source is incomplete, since the specification affects warranty terms, SEAI grant eligibility and long-term running costs.
Confirm SEAI Registration if Claiming a Grant
For a heat pump or a heating controls upgrade the grant is paid only when the work is done by an SEAI-registered contractor. Confirm your installer is on the register before any grant-eligible work begins, and keep the paperwork for your application.
Request Certification on Completion
A gas boiler at the heart of the system must come with a gas safety certificate on the day the work is completed. Keep it with your home insurance documents and BER certificate, because without it the gas work is unverifiable and will affect your property resale.
Central Heating Questions From Irish Homeowners
How much does central heating installation cost in Ireland in 2026?
A full wet central heating system, boiler plus radiators, controls and pipework, costs €4,500 to €7,500 in 2026. A boiler and radiators upgrade is €3,500 to €5,500, and heating controls with zoning €350 to €900. These figures include labour and VAT at 9%.
How long does central heating installation take in Ireland?
A full central heating system install takes two to four working days depending on the number of radiators and the amount of pipework. A boiler and radiators upgrade is usually two to three days, while adding controls or zoning to an existing system takes one day.
Do I need an RGI-registered installer for central heating in Ireland?
Yes, for the gas boiler. Any central heating system running on natural gas or LPG must have the boiler installed by an RGI-registered gas installer by law. The radiators, pipework and controls are general heating and plumbing work, but the gas boiler element must be certified.
What is the best fuel for central heating in an Irish home?
On the gas grid, gas central heating is usually the most cost-effective to install and run. Off-grid, a condensing oil system is the traditional choice, while a heat pump suits a well-insulated home and attracts an SEAI grant. Your installer should size the system to the property and its insulation level.
Can I get an SEAI grant for central heating in Ireland in 2026?
SEAI grants are available for a heat pump system (up to €6,500) and for a heating controls upgrade (up to €700). A like-for-like gas or oil boiler swap does not qualify directly, but insulation carried out at the same time may qualify separately. Work must be done by an SEAI-registered contractor.
Can I upgrade an old gravity system to fully pumped in Ireland?
Yes. Converting an open-vent gravity system to a fully pumped, sealed setup with modern controls is one of the most common central heating upgrades. It improves efficiency and comfort, and it is usually done alongside a new boiler and a system power flush to clear years of sludge.
Find a Central Heating Installer Near You
Central heating quotes from plumbers and heating installers in every county. Contact them directly, no fees, no sign-up.