Your guide to boiler upgrades

Take a deeper dive into why you might need to upgrade your boiler, what the benefits are and what issues you should consider.

Discover its benefits:

Your guide to boiler upgrades

Take a deeper dive into why you might need to upgrade your boiler, what the benefits are and what issues you should consider.

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Why upgrade my boiler?

Many people with older boilers will be familiar with the nagging concern that their system probably isn’t very efficient, compounded by the fear that it may break down – probably in the depths of winter. And if that wasn’t enough, there are lots of other reasons why it often makes sense to grasp the nettle and invest in a boiler upgrade. For instance, if your gas or oil boiler is more than 15 years old, it is likely to be less than 70% efficient – so an upgrade could immediately bring you a 25% saving at least on your energy bill. Spare parts for old boilers are also increasingly hard to get hold of, making them more difficult and expensive to repair. Meanwhile, modern boilers are significantly quieter, quicker at heating water and take up less space.

How do boilers work?

When the thermostat in your home detects a drop from your preferred temperature, it turns the boiler on. Your boiler then uses either oil, gas or electricity to create heat, which warms up water. The heated water (or steam) is then distributed throughout your home (via radiators or radiant floor systems). As the water cools (or the steam condenses), it travels back to your boiler where its reheated and then carries on its journey once more. This continues until your home reaches the desired temperature and your thermostat turns the boiler off.

What's the difference between gas, oil and electricity boilers?

When triggered by the thermostat, gas and oil boilers are ignited and the combustion chamber warms the copper heat exchanger which heats the water. Gas is the most common type of boiler and is usually cheaper to install and operate than oil. Oil boilers also require a large tank for oil storage. Electric boilers use electricity to heat elements that transfer the heat directly to the water. Although a cleaner form of heating than gas or oil, they tend to be less efficient and more expensive to operate. But the cleanest heating option of all is to go for a heat pump – which creates warmth from the air or ground outside.

What sort of boiler should I choose?

There are countless brands and models of gas, oil and electricity boiler options to choose from, including boilers that are just for your hot water, and combination boilers that take care of both water and heating. When it comes to the latter, you also have a choice between tankless coil systems and indirect systems. Tankless coil systems automatically heat the water up whenever you turn a hot water tap or appliance on. This is efficient in the winter, as it runs off the back of your central heating, but less so in the summer months as it turns the boiler on every time you use hot water. With an indirect system, water is kept hot in a storage tank and only used when needed. Chat to one of our partners about what you need and see what they recommend.

How much should I expect to pay?

Costs vary hugely but you should probably budget for about €2,500-€3,500 for the purchase and installation of a new boiler.

Are grants available?

The SEAI no longer provides grants for the purchase of new boilers, instead focusing grant allocations on the purchase and installation of heat pumps. For these, generous grants are available through the SEAI, ranging up to €6,500 per property – see here for more details.

There is, however, a grant towards the purchase of heating controls which may help you to make more efficient use of your existing boiler.

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