Ground Source Heat Pump in Ireland — Borehole Cost, When It's Worth the Premium
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GSHP: €18,000–€30,000 installed. Borehole €4,000–€8,000. SEAI grant €6,500. Net €11,500–€23,500.
Ground source heat pump (GSHP) in Ireland: €18,000–€30,000 installed. Borehole €4,000–€8,000 (100–150 m deep). SEAI grant €6,500. Net cost: €11,500–€23,500. More expensive than air-to-water but more efficient (COP 4–5 vs 3–4 for air-to-water) and quieter. Worth it for large houses (200+ m²) with a big garden (1+ acre for the borehole). Not worth it for a standard 150 m² house. The borehole takes 1–3 days to drill; the heat pump takes 2–3 days to install. SEAI grant is conditional on a BER assessment after the work.
When this matters most
You're considering a ground source heat pump.
When this doesn't apply
You've already specified an air-to-water heat pump.
Sources
SEAI, Heat Pump Grants 2026. https://www.seai.ie/grants/
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ground source heat pump cost in Ireland?
€18,000–€30,000 installed. Plus €4,000–€8,000 for the borehole. SEAI grant €6,500. Net €11,500–€23,500.
Is a ground source heat pump worth it in Ireland?
For large houses (200+ m²) with a big garden (1+ acre for the borehole), yes. For a standard 150 m² house, no — air-to-water is cheaper and good enough.
How deep is a borehole for a heat pump in Ireland?
100–150 m typical. Depends on the geology. Limestone is good (high thermal conductivity). Clay is poor (low thermal conductivity). Drilling takes 1–3 days.
When this matters most
You're considering a ground source heat pump.
When this doesn't apply
You've already specified an air-to-water heat pump.
Where to go next
Next decision
The next step in your build sequence.
Branch into
Adjacent decisions at the same stage.
- Battery Storage in Ireland 2026 — Cost, Payback, and When to Skip It →
- Biomass Boiler in Ireland — Wood Pellet Stove, Cost, SEAI Grant, and When It Beats a Heat Pump →
- District Heating in Ireland — Where It Exists, the Connection Cost, and When It Works →
- Solar Thermal in Ireland — Hot Water from the Sun, When It Pays Back, and the Alternatives →
Watch out for
Common mistakes, hidden costs, gotchas.
- Battery Storage in Ireland 2026 — Cost, Payback, and When to Skip It →
- Biomass Boiler in Ireland — Wood Pellet Stove, Cost, SEAI Grant, and When It Beats a Heat Pump →
- District Heating in Ireland — Where It Exists, the Connection Cost, and When It Works →
- SEAI Heat Pump Grant 2026 — €6,500 + €3,500 Bonus, Eligibility, and the BER Trap →
- Heat Pump in Ireland 2026 — Air-to-Water Cost, SEAI Grant, and the 6 vs 9 kW Question →
- MVHR in Ireland — Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, Cost, and Why You Need It →
- Radiators vs Underfloor Heating in Ireland — Cost, Comfort, and Heat Pump Pairing →
- Solar PV in Ireland 2026 — 6 kWp Cost, Payback, and the SEAI Grant →
- Underfloor Heating in Ireland — Cost, Floor Build-up, and the Heat Pump Pairing →
Compare with
Alternative approaches worth knowing.