Heat pumps
Heat pump myths: noise, cold weather and older homes
The worries we hear most, and what's actually true.
Short answer
Modern heat pumps are quiet, work well in Irish winters and can suit older homes once heat loss is brought down. Most problems trace back to poor design: a unit that's the wrong size, radiators that are too small or controls set up like a boiler.
“They're noisy”
A modern outdoor unit is about as loud as a fridge at a few metres. Planning exemptions require it to be no louder than 43 dB(A) at the nearest neighbour's window, and a good installer will site it away from bedrooms.
“They don't work in the cold”
Air source heat pumps keep working well below −10°C. Ireland rarely gets that cold. Efficiency drops a bit on the coldest days, which a correctly sized unit allows for.
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“They can't heat old houses”
They can, but older homes lose heat faster, so they usually need insulation and bigger radiators first. That's why the technical assessment exists. A heat pump fitted to a leaky house without upgrades will struggle and cost more to run.
Real problems to watch for
- Rooms not getting warm: radiators undersized or flow temperature set too low
- High bills: the unit is short cycling, or the immersion is doing the work
- Defrost noise and steam on frosty mornings: normal, briefly
- Hot water not hot enough: cylinder settings or a weekly legionella cycle needs adjusting
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Related guides
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Is my home suitable for a heat pump?
Insulation, BER, radiators or underfloor: the three things that decide whether a heat pump will keep you warm.
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Why a box in your garden can heat a Dublin house in January, and why it's three times as efficient as a boiler.
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Heat pump maintenance and warranties
What servicing a heat pump involves, what it costs, and the two warranties you should have in writing.
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