Most Irish homes use some form of central heating to keep rooms warm and provide hot water. But not all heating systems work in the same way. Some use water and radiators, others blow warm air, and many homes still rely on electric storage heaters or oil and gas boilers.
On top of that, newer systems like air-to-water heat pumps and solar thermal are becoming more common, as Ireland tries to cut carbon emissions and energy bills.
This guide explains the main types of central heating systems in Ireland, what they’re like to live with, and the pros and cons of each.
Key Takeaways
| System Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Wet (Radiators/Underfloor) with gas or oil boiler | Boiler heats water that flows through radiators/UFH | Most Irish homes |
| Combi, System & Regular Boilers | Different boiler layouts for wet systems | Different house sizes & hot water needs |
| Dry/Warm Air systems | Central unit blows heated air through ducts | Some older or renovated homes |
| Electric Storage heating | Night-rate electricity heats bricks that release heat by day | Apartments & homes without gas |
| Air-to-water Heat Pumps | Use electricity to pull heat from outside air into radiators/UFH | Well-insulated homes |
| Solar Thermal (hot water) | Roof panels heat water using the sun | As a support to another system |
What Is a Central Heating System?
A central heating system uses one main heat source to warm your home and often your hot water too. That heat can be moved around the house in different ways:
- Hot Water flowing through radiators or underfloor pipes (wet systems)
- Warm Air blown through ducts (dry systems)
- Electric Storage Heaters that release stored heat during the day
Most systems also include:
- A boiler or heat pump
- Radiators or underfloor heating
- A pump to move hot water (for wet systems)
- Controls like a thermostat, timers and sometimes smart controls
1. Wet Central Heating Systems (Most Common in Ireland)
“Wet” systems heat water and send it through radiators or underfloor heating to warm each room. This is the standard setup in most Irish homes.
The heat source can be:
- A gas boiler
- An oil boiler
- An electric boiler (less common)
- An air-to-water heat pump
Pros
- Even heat throughout the home
- Works with radiators or underfloor heating
- Easy to add heating controls and zones
- Compatible with modern condensing boilers and heat pumps
Cons
- Need pipework and radiators, so changes can be disruptive
- Risk of leaks if the system is old or poorly fitted
- Boilers need regular servicing for safety and efficiency
1.1 Gas Boiler Central Heating
If you’re on the gas network, gas central heating is often the most straightforward wet system.
A gas boiler:
- Burns natural gas to heat water
- Sends hot water through radiators and sometimes a hot water cylinder
- Can be combi, system or regular (heat-only) in design
Pros
- Modern condensing gas boilers can be over 90% efficient
- Gas is piped in; no fuel tank in the garden
- Good match for many urban and suburban homes
- Works well with smart heating controls
Cons
- Still a fossil fuel with CO₂ emissions
- Not every area in Ireland has gas mains
- Boiler and flue must be maintained by a Registered Gas Installer
1.2 Oil Boiler Central Heating
Oil is still very common in rural homes that are not on the gas grid. An oil boiler is also a wet system:
- It burns heating oil stored in an outdoor tank
- Heats water for radiators and a hot water cylinder
Pros
- Modern condensing oil boilers can reach around 90% efficiency
- Works well in off-gas rural homes
- Familiar technology; many Irish plumbers know the systems well
Cons
- Oil is a fossil fuel with CO₂ emissions
- You must monitor tank levels and arrange deliveries
- Oil prices change a lot with global markets
- Risk of spills if the tank leaks
1.3 Boiler Types – Combi vs System vs Regular (Heat-Only)
Even within gas and oil systems, the boiler set-up can differ. The three main types are:
A. Combi Boilers
A combi (combination) boiler:
- Heats radiators and hot water in one compact unit
- Gives hot water on demand, with no hot water cylinder or cold water tank
BEST FOR
- Apartments and smaller homes
- Homes with one main bathroom
PROS
- Very space saving
- No hot water cylinder or loft tanks
- Only heats water when you turn on a tap; no stored hot water losses
CONS
- Can struggle if several showers or taps run at once
- Relies on strong mains water pressure
- Not ideal for large homes with multiple bathrooms
B. System Boilers
A system boiler:
- Heats radiators
- Heats a hot water cylinder, but does not need loft tanks
- Takes cold water directly from the mains
BEST FOR
- Medium to large homes
- Households using more than one bathroom at the same time
PROS
- Can run multiple showers/taps at once
- No loft tanks needed
- Good for families with high hot water use
CONS
- Needs space for a hot water cylinder
- If the cylinder runs out of hot water, you must wait for it to reheat
C. Regular (Heat-Only/Conventional) Boilers
A regular or heat-only boiler:
- Works with a hot water cylinder and cold water tanks in the loft
- Is common in older Irish homes and larger properties
BEST FOR
- Older homes already set up with cylinder + loft tanks
- Properties with high hot water demand where replacing the full system would be costly
PROS
- Can support high hot water demand
- Often easiest to just replace like-for-like in older systems
CONS
- Takes up the most space (boiler + cylinder + tanks)
- More pipework; usually less efficient than modern combi/system setups unless fully upgraded
2. Dry (Warm Air) Central Heating Systems
A dry heating system warms air instead of water:
- A central unit heats air (using gas, oil or electricity)
- A fan pushes this air through ducts
- Warm air comes out through vents in each room
These systems are less common in Irish homes but do exist, especially in some older houses or where air ducts were added.
Pros
- Rooms heat up very quickly
- No radiators; easier to place furniture
- Can include air filters and sometimes cooling in the same ductwork
Cons
- Can feel more “blowy” or drafty
- Ducts need cleaning and maintenance
- Harder to retrofit into existing Irish homes with no duct network
3. Electric Storage Heating
Electric heating can work in several ways, but the classic electric storage heater is still fairly common in apartments and homes without gas or oil.
Storage heaters:
- Use night-rate electricity to heat up internal bricks
- Slowly release heat during the day
- Are often used where installing a boiler is not easy
Pros
- Easy to install; no flues, tanks or pipework
- Very low maintenance
- No risk of gas leaks or oil spills
- Fits most homes with a standard electrical supply
Cons
- Electricity is the most expensive heating fuel for Irish households on a per-unit basis
- Harder to control; you charge them at night and hope the stored heat lasts
- If you misjudge, you may feel cold late in the day
Some homes also use:
- Electric panel heaters
- Electric underfloor heating
These give more direct control but are also costly to run if used a lot.
4. Air-to-Water Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are one of the biggest changes in Irish home heating. Instead of burning fuel, they:
- Use electricity to pull heat from the outside air, ground or water
- Pump this heat into your radiators or underfloor heating
- Work best in well-insulated homes at lower water temperatures
In Ireland, air-to-water heat pumps are the most common type for houses.
Pros
- Very efficient (often 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity)
- Lower carbon emissions than gas or oil
- Work well with underfloor heating and large radiators
- Can help achieve better BER ratings and unlock SEAI grants
Cons
- High upfront cost compared with boiler swaps
- Need good insulation to perform well
- Some homes need bigger radiators or full system changes
- Require an outdoor unit and space for a hot water cylinder
SEAI grants for heat pumps can be up to €6,500, plus extra support when used as part of a One Stop Shop upgrade. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
5. Solar Thermal (Hot Water) Systems
Solar thermal systems are not full central heating systems on their own, but they support your hot water:
- Panels on your roof heat water using the sun
- A special cylinder stores this hot water
- Your boiler or heat pump tops it up when needed
Pros
- Can cut hot water bills by up to ~70% in some homes
- Very low running costs and low carbon after install
- SEAI solar water heating grant of €1,200 is available for qualifying homes
Cons
- Not every roof is suitable
- Works best in combination with another heating source
- Upfront cost can be high, even with grants
FAQs
1. What is the most common type of central heating in Ireland?
The most common setup is still wet central heating using gas or oil boilers feeding radiators and a hot water cylinder.
2. Is a combi boiler always the best choice?
No. Combi boilers are great for:
- Smaller homes
- Homes with One main bathroom
- Good mains water pressure
For larger homes with two or more bathrooms, a system boiler or regular boiler with a hot water cylinder often works better.
3. Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas or oil?
In a well-insulated home, YES. Heat pumps can be cheaper to run long-term because they deliver more heat per unit of electricity used.
However:
- Upfront costs are higher
- Insulation and correct radiator sizing are crucial
4. Are electric storage heaters a bad idea?
Not always. They can make sense if:
- You live in an apartment with no gas
- You want low maintenance and simple installation
But you need to remember:
- Electricity is currently the most expensive heating fuel in Ireland per unit, followed by oil.
If you use a lot of heat, running costs can be very high.
5. Can I get grants for replacing my gas or oil boiler?
At present, SEAI grants do not support straightforward gas or oil boiler upgrades. Grants focus on:
- Heat pumps
- Insulation
- Solar PV and solar thermal
- Heating controls
For a boiler-only swap, you will usually pay the full cost yourself.
6. What central heating system should I choose?
Think about:
- How many bathrooms you have
- Whether you’re on mains gas or oil
- How well your home is insulated
- Your budget for upfront cost vs running cost
- If you want to future-proof with low-carbon heating
In simple terms:
- Small home, 1 bathroom, on gas – combi or small system boiler
- Larger family home with 2+ bathrooms – system or regular boiler + cylinder, or heat pump
- Well-insulated home aiming for lower emissions – air-to-water heat pump (with grants where possible)
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