Air-to-Water Heat Pump Installation in the Midlands

The Future of Home Heating

Heat pumps are rapidly becoming the preferred heating system for Irish homes - and with good reason. An air-to-water heat pump extracts renewable energy from the outside air and uses it to heat your home and hot water. For every unit of electricity a heat pump consumes, it typically produces three to four units of heat, making it one of the most energy-efficient heating technologies available today.

We install air-to-water heat pumps for homeowners across Athlone, Westmeath, and the wider Midlands. Whether you are building a new home or retrofitting an existing property, we provide expert guidance, professional installation, and full SEAI grant support.

How Does an Air-to-Water Heat Pump Work?

An air-to-water heat pump works by absorbing heat from the outside air - even at temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius - and transferring it to your home’s heating and hot water system. Here is the process in simple terms:

1. The outdoor unit draws in air and passes it over an evaporator coil containing refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat energy from the air and evaporates into a gas.
2. A compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant gas.
3. A heat exchanger (condenser) transfers the heat from the refrigerant to the water in your heating system.
4. The heated water is circulated to your radiators, underfloor heating, or hot water cylinder via a buffer tank.
5. The refrigerant returns to its liquid state and the cycle repeats.

The efficiency of this process is measured by the coefficient of performance (COP). A COP of 3.5 means the heat pump produces 3.5 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity used. This is dramatically more efficient than any boiler, which can never exceed 100% efficiency.

Is Your Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?

Not every home is immediately suited to a heat pump, and an honest assessment is critical before committing to installation. We carry out a detailed home suitability assessment covering:

Insulation Levels

Heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures than traditional boilers (typically 35-45 degrees Celsius versus 60-80 degrees for a boiler). This means your home needs to retain heat effectively. Properties with poor insulation will require upgrades - such as attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, or external wall insulation - before a heat pump can work efficiently.

Existing Heating System

Homes with underfloor heating are ideally suited to heat pumps because underfloor systems already operate at low flow temperatures. Homes with radiators can also work well, but the radiators may need to be upsized to deliver sufficient heat at the lower temperatures a heat pump provides. We assess every radiator and calculate whether upgrades are needed.

BER Rating

Your home’s BER rating (Building Energy Rating) is a strong indicator of heat pump suitability. Properties rated B3 or better are generally good candidates. Homes rated C or below may need fabric upgrades first. Installing a heat pump as part of a deep retrofit can dramatically improve your BER rating - often achieving an A rating.

Space Requirements

The outdoor unit of an air-to-water heat pump is roughly the size of a large air conditioning unit. It needs adequate clearance for airflow and should be positioned away from bedroom windows (the fan produces a low hum during operation). Inside, you will need space for a buffer tank, which stores heated water and ensures the system operates smoothly.

Our Heat Pump Installation Process

Step 1: Home Assessment

We visit your property and carry out a thorough assessment of the building fabric, existing heating system, hot water demand, and available space. We review your BER certificate and discuss your heating expectations and budget.

Step 2: System Design and Sizing

Correct sizing is the single most important factor in heat pump performance. An undersized system will struggle to heat your home; an oversized system will short-cycle, wasting energy and reducing equipment life. We use detailed heat loss calculations to determine the exact output required, then select a heat pump that matches your home’s needs.

System design also covers the buffer tank sizing, the underfloor heating manifold layout (if applicable), hot water cylinder specifications, and the integration of weather compensation controls. Weather compensation adjusts the heat pump’s output based on the outdoor temperature, ensuring it always runs at the most efficient point.

Step 3: SEAI Grant Application

The SEAI grant for an air-to-water heat pump is currently up to 6,500 euros, making it one of the most generous grants available under the Better Energy Homes scheme. We guide you through the application process, help you select an SEAI-registered installer (which we are), and ensure all paperwork is completed correctly so you receive the maximum grant available.

Step 4: Installation

Installation typically takes 2 to 3 days depending on the complexity of the project. We fit the outdoor unit, install the buffer tank and hot water cylinder, connect the internal pipework, and integrate the heat pump with your existing or new heating distribution system. All refrigerant handling is carried out by FGAS certified technicians, as required by regulation.

Step 5: Commissioning and Handover

After installation, we commission the system by testing every component, setting the weather compensation curve, programming the heating and hot water schedules, and verifying the COP under real operating conditions. We walk you through the controls and provide all documentation, including the SEAI completion form and manufacturer warranty registration.

Heat Pumps for New Builds

If you are building a new home, Part L of the building regulations effectively requires a heat pump or equivalent renewable heating system. New builds are designed with high insulation levels and often include underfloor heating as standard, making them the ideal application for an air-to-water heat pump. We work with builders and architects across the Midlands to design and install heat pump systems for new-build projects of all sizes.

Heat Pumps for Retrofits

Retrofitting a heat pump into an existing home requires more planning but is absolutely achievable - and the results can be transformative. Many homeowners in Athlone and surrounding areas are replacing their old oil boilers with heat pumps as part of a broader energy upgrade, combining the heat pump installation with insulation improvements and window upgrades to achieve a comfortable, low-energy home. If you are weighing up the two technologies, our guide on heat pump vs oil boiler for Irish homes covers running costs, efficiency, and grant eligibility side by side.

Running Costs

Heat pumps use electricity rather than oil or gas, and their high COP means your running costs are typically 30-50% lower than an oil boiler and 40-60% lower than a gas boiler. Combined with the SEAI grant, the payback period for a heat pump installation is typically 5 to 8 years - after which you benefit from significantly lower heating costs for the remaining 15-20 year lifespan of the unit.

Serving the Midlands

We install air-to-water heat pumps across Athlone, Moate, Ballinasloe, Roscommon, Tullamore, Mullingar, and the wider Midlands region. Whether you are planning a new build or considering a retrofit, we provide the expert assessment and professional installation you need.

Take the First Step

A heat pump is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value. Let us assess your property and show you what is possible.

Call us on 090-6641014 for a free home suitability assessment and heat pump installation quote. We will guide you through the entire process, including SEAI grant applications.