Electricity Running Costs for Heat Pumps (2026)
Heat pump running costs in Ireland, including annual electricity consumption, SCOP, oil and gas comparisons, smart tariffs, solar PV and the effect of insulation.
Typical annual running cost: €900–€2,100
What Determines Heat Pump Running Cost?
Heat pumps use electricity but typically deliver several units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed.
Seasonal performance is usually expressed as SCOP. The source page gives a typical air-to-water range of 2.5–4.0.
Running cost depends on heating demand, electricity price, system efficiency, insulation and heating-system flow temperature.
Typical Annual Consumption
Apartment: 2,000–3,000 kWh
Semi-detached: 3,000–5,000 kWh
Detached: 5,000–7,000 kWh
These figures cover heating and hot water, not general household appliances.
Efficiency & Flow Temperature
SCOP Range
2.5–3.0: lower efficiency
3.0–3.5: typical
3.5–4.0: high efficiency
Emitter Temperature
Standard radiators: 50–55°C
Oversized radiators: 40–50°C
Underfloor: 30–40°C
Annual Running Cost Examples
| Property | Electricity Use | Annual Cost at €0.35/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | 2,500 kWh | €875 |
| Semi-detached | 4,000 kWh | €1,400 |
| Detached | 6,000 kWh | €2,100 |
The source page summarises typical annual heat-pump running costs at approximately €900–€2,100.
Oil & Gas Comparison
For a 15,000 kWh heat-demand example, the source gives oil heating at about €1,800/year and a heat pump using 5,000 kWh at €1,750/year.
The equivalent gas example is about €1,500/year.
This shows why insulation and SCOP matter: a poorly performing heat pump can be no cheaper to run than fossil fuel heating, while an efficient system can outperform it.
Tariffs, Insulation & Solar PV
| Factor | Source Example |
|---|---|
| Standard electricity tariff | €0.35/kWh |
| Night rate | €0.18–€0.22/kWh |
| Attic insulation heating reduction | 10%–20% |
| Cavity wall insulation | 15%–25% |
| External wall insulation | 25%–35% |
| Solar PV used by heat pump | 1,500 kWh = €525/year offset at €0.35/kWh |
Time-of-use tariffs and solar PV can materially reduce the cost of the electricity consumed by a heat pump.
Running-Cost Levers
Electricity Price
Tariff selection has a direct effect on annual cost.
Smart controls can shift some demand into cheaper periods.
Building Fabric
Lower heat loss reduces required heat output.
Insulation is one of the strongest long-term cost-control measures.
System Setup
Correct sizing, lower flow temperatures and sensible thermostat settings improve SCOP.
Poor setup can erase the expected running-cost advantage.
Summary
Typical heat-pump electricity use is around 3,000–6,000 kWh per year for many homes.
The source page gives a typical annual running-cost range of €900–€2,100.
Well-insulated homes with low flow temperatures, efficient controls and favourable tariffs are most likely to achieve the lower end of the range.
Other resources:
SEAI Heat Pump Grant Explained
Required Upgrades – Before Installation
Radiators vs Underfloor Comparison
BER Requirements for Eligibility