Ireland’s transition to renewable energy got a welcome boost recently, with the news that applications for SEAI home energy upgrades almost doubled during the first three months of this year.
As uncertainty in the energy market continues, some 29,000 applications for retrofitting grants were processed by SEAI during the first quarter of 2026 – that’s an increase of 96% compared to the same period last year.
Last year’s Budget saw the Government allocate a record €640 million to retrofitting projects, including a significant increase in the grant available for heat pumps. Irish homeowners who want to replace their oil/gas boiler with a heat pump can now claim up to €12,500 including:
· Up to €6,500 for the heat pump system
· Up to €2,000 for central heating upgrade works
· Up to €4,000 renewable heat bonus
SEAI heat pump pilot scheme
As more homeowners look to future-proof their energy needs by investing in a heat pump, a pilot scheme announced by SEAI is aiming to install high temperature heat pumps (HTHP) in 100 Irish homes to evaluate their performance.
High temperature heat pumps work the same way as other heat pump systems but deliver heat at a much higher temperature – similar to traditional boilers – and can be used in existing central heating systems.
This means they are compatible with most homes’ existing radiators and pipework, reducing the need for upgrade works and other energy upgrades. Because they are an ideal replacement for oil/gas boilers, HTHPs are expected to become standard in the Irish market in the next five years.
The pilot will allow SEAI to assess the efficiency, cost and performance of HTHPs for different types of homes. Homeowners installing a HTHP through the One Stop Shop scheme are eligible to take part in the scheme (more information here), with performance data to be monitored during the 2026/27 heating season.
One of the main criteria of the SEAI scheme is that the heat pump being installed uses R290, a propane-based refrigerant offering superior thermodynamic performance with almost zero environmental impact. This puts the spotlight firmly on the Daikin Altherma 4 G0 high temperature heat pump.
Daikin Altherma high temperature heat pump
One of Daikin’s flagship air to water heat pumps, the Daikin Altherma 4 G0 system is tailor-made for retrofitting projects and is an ideal replacement for old, inefficient, expensive oil or gas boilers.
Compact in design so requiring minimal installation space, the Daikin Altherma 4 G0 integrates seamlessly with existing pipes and radiators, offering energy conscious homeowners all the benefits of a heat pump without having to replace the entire central heating system.
The system delivers both heating and hot water (up to 70°C), all using far less energy than traditional heating systems. By extracting renewable energy from the outside air, the Daikin Altherma 4 G0 is one of the most efficient and sustainable heat pumps on the market.
The system offers exceptional efficiency (A+++ rated) in both low (35°C) and medium (55°C) applications and has the ability to modulate down to 30% of its maximum output capacity, resulting in even greater efficiency in most operating conditions.
Smooth and silent, the system is one of the quietest units on the market, with a daytime sound level not more than a low refrigerator hum. It also offers multi-step backup heating to optimise available solar power.
The Daikin Altherma 4 G0 high temperature system also uses the industry-leading R290 refrigerant which offers leak detection and gas separator safety features, further cementing its position as the best-performing and safest heat pump of its kind in Ireland.
Now’s the time to start your heat pump journey
Thousands of savvy Irish homeowners have decided that 2026 is the year they switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy in the shape of a heat pump.
If you’re keen to make the switch to renewables, or if you’re interested in taking part in the SEAI high temperature heat pump pilot scheme, contact your local One Stop Shop today and take your first step towards a cleaner, greener future.
Browse the full range of Daikin’s premium heating and hot water solutions here.