Heating installers · Laois
Central Heating Installation in Laois: Oil, Heat Pump and Gas Systems
Find a heating installer for a new oil central heating system, a heat pump conversion or a gravity-to-pumped upgrade across Laois. 2026 prices, SEAI grant guidance and installers from Portlaoise to Stradbally.
The law
Central Heating Installation in Laois: What the Law Requires
A wet central heating system in Laois 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 for any boiler running on natural gas or LPG, 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.
The installers listed here cover the whole county, taking in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Stradbally. Browse them all in the Laois plumber directory.
How Long Does Central Heating Installation Take in Laois?
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 Laois Homeowners 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 Across Laois: The Areas Covered
Laois is an inland midlands county centred on Portlaoise, which serves as both the county town and a significant regional hub for the midlands. The natural gas network covers Portlaoise and extends to some other towns in the county. Rural Laois, which is largely agricultural, relies on oil and LPG for heating. Portlaoise's growing population and active residential development means consistent demand for gas boiler installation and service work.
Laois has an inland, largely rural character with market towns as service hubs. Portlaoise has significant recent growth due to its position on the M7 Dublin-Cork motorway corridor. Portarlington has expanded as a Midlands commuter town. The rural county has a high proportion of older farmhouses and bungalows with oil-fired systems, many of which qualify for SEAI upgrade support.
Laois sits in the Irish Midlands with no coastal moderating influence. Cold temperatures are common in winter, with some of the most persistent frost periods in Leinster recorded in this area. The Slieve Bloom Mountains in the north-west of the county can receive significant snowfall in winter.
Portlaoise has a solid local plumbing trade serving both the town and much of the county. Portarlington and Mountmellick have local coverage. Rural south Laois around Abbeyleix and Rathdowney is typically served by travelling contractors from Portlaoise or Kilkenny.
Every area above is served by heating installers in the Laois plumber directory.
The options
Oil, Heat Pump or Gas: The Right System for Laois Homes
Portlaoise has natural gas network coverage, as does Portarlington. Rural Laois and smaller towns including Abbeyleix, Mountmellick and Rathdowney rely primarily on oil or LPG.
Oil Central Heating
The most common central heating system in Laois, where much of the county sits outside the gas network. A modern condensing oil boiler drives radiators, cylinder and zoned controls together.
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.
Gas Central Heating
Runs on natural gas where available or on LPG from a tank, a workable central heating option in the gas-connected pockets of Laois. The boiler drives radiators and controls as one system.
2026 prices
Central Heating Cost in Laois 2026: Prices From Portlaoise to Stradbally
Typical Laois 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
Laois is served from the Emo Court wellfield and other groundwater sources. Water hardness varies by area; some parts of the county are on moderately hard limestone aquifer water, making scale inhibition in boilers a worthwhile investment.
SEAI grants
SEAI Grants for Laois 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, and work must be carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor before any grant can be claimed. A fabric-first upgrade makes the biggest difference to running costs, and SEAI-registered insulation contractors covering Laois are listed at wallinsulationireland.ie.
See SEAI-registered plumbers →Hiring
How to Find a Central Heating Installer in Laois
The gas boiler in any Laois 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 Laois
Every plumber and heating installer listed in the Laois plumber directory covers central heating work. Browse the county, find installers near you, and contact them directly. For the gas boiler, an RGI-registered Laois gas installer can be verified at rgii.ie.
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 in Laois: Common Questions
How much does central heating installation cost in Laois in 2026?
A full wet central heating system in Laois costs €4,500 to €7,500 in 2026, taking in the boiler, radiators, controls and pipework. A boiler and radiators upgrade is €3,500 to €5,500, and heating controls with zoning €350 to €900. Figures include labour and VAT at 9%.
How long does central heating installation take in Laois?
A full central heating system install in Laois takes two to four working days depending on the number of radiators and the pipework involved. 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 in Laois?
Yes, for the gas boiler. A central heating system in Laois 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.
Is there an SEAI grant for central heating in Laois?
A standard gas or oil boiler swap does not qualify for a direct SEAI grant. Grants apply to a heat pump system (up to €6,500) and to a heating controls upgrade (up to €700), plus insulation carried out at the same time. Laois homeowners in homes built before 2011 are eligible to apply.
Can I run central heating in Laois if my home is off the gas network?
Yes. Most homes in Laois outside the natural gas network run oil central heating, or a heat pump where insulation allows. A gas system can still work on LPG supplied from a tank, and the same RGI registration rules apply to LPG as to natural gas. Your installer will size the system to the property.
Can I upgrade an old gravity system to fully pumped in Laois?
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 in Laois. It improves efficiency and comfort, and is usually done alongside a new boiler and a power flush to clear years of sludge.
Get Central Heating Quotes in Laois
Central heating in Laois, from full system installs to boiler and radiator upgrades and heat pump conversions, matched to installers near you. Free, no obligation, reply within 24 hours.