Daikin Heat Pumps Review: Altherma 3 Prices for Irish Homes
Daikin is the brand most Irish installers quote first, and the Altherma 3 is the heat pump they quote. It tops our best heat pumps in Ireland ranking, not because it has the flashiest spec sheet, but because it pairs solid efficiency with the largest SEAI-registered installer network in the country. Here's our independent review: the Altherma 3 variants, typical installed prices, SEAI grant eligibility, and how it compares to Mitsubishi Ecodan.
Quick Answer
Daikin is the market-leading heat pump brand in Ireland and ranks #1 on our list. The Altherma 3 air to water range publishes a SCOP of around 4.6, uses R-32 refrigerant, and the high-temperature H HT variant runs flow temperatures up to 70°C, so many retrofits keep their existing radiators. Expect €11,000–€15,000 installed before the SEAI grant of up to €12,500. Daikin models are on the SEAI approved product list, and its biggest advantage is the largest SEAI-registered installer network in Ireland, which means competitive quotes and easy aftercare in every county.
Who Are Daikin?
Daikin is a Japanese air conditioning and heating manufacturer, and one of the largest HVAC companies in the world. In Ireland it is the closest thing the heat pump market has to a default choice: the Altherma range has been fitted in Irish new builds and retrofits for well over a decade, and Daikin operates its own Irish subsidiary rather than selling purely through third-party distributors.
That maturity is Daikin's real advantage. More SEAI-registered installers fit Daikin than any other brand, which means you can gather competing quotes in almost every county, parts are stocked locally, and an engineer who knows the unit is never far away over a 15–20 year service life. For a retrofit, the indoor hydrobox is compact enough to fit where an oil boiler used to live, which keeps installation disruption down.
#1
On our Ireland ranking
4.6
SCOP (Altherma 3)
70°C
Max flow (H HT variant)
R-32
Refrigerant
Daikin Altherma 3 Specifications
“Altherma 3” is a family, not a single unit, and the right variant depends on your house. The Altherma 3 R is the standard low-temperature split (outdoor unit plus indoor hydrobox), suited to new builds and well-insulated retrofits. The Altherma 3 M is the monobloc version: everything outside, no indoor refrigerant unit, handy where indoor space is tight. The Altherma 3 H HT is the high-temperature model that pushes flow temperatures up to 70°C for older retrofits, with a mid-temperature H MT sitting in between. Your installer will size and pick the variant; the figures below are the range-level numbers to sanity-check a quote against.
| Specification | Daikin Altherma 3 |
|---|---|
| Type | Air to water; split (R, H HT) or monobloc (M) |
| SCOP | Around 4.6 (variant and size dependent) |
| Max flow temperature | Up to 70°C (H HT variant); standard variants run lower |
| Refrigerant | R-32 (lower GWP than older R-410A units) |
| Indoor unit | Compact wall-mounted hydrobox or floorstanding tower with built-in cylinder |
| SEAI approved product list | Yes, grant eligible |
| Warranty | 5 years (extendable to 7) |
Source: Daikin Altherma 3 product documentation. Daikin publishes per-model efficiency figures that vary by output size and flow temperature. Confirm the exact model code, SCOP, and warranty terms on your quote.
Why the installer network matters most
A heat pump is only as good as its commissioning, and aftercare depends on someone local knowing the unit. Daikin has the largest SEAI-registered installer network in Ireland, so you can get three competing Daikin quotes in most counties (competition that itself pushes the price down), and service visits are easy to book for the life of the system.
Why the H HT variant matters for retrofits
Most heat pumps run radiators at 35–55°C, which is why retrofits often need bigger radiators. The Altherma 3 H HT can deliver up to 70°C, close to what an oil or gas boiler produces, so more retrofits keep their existing radiators, and the compact hydrobox slots in where the old boiler stood.
Daikin Heat Pump Prices in Ireland
Daikin does not publish an Irish retail price list. Every system is quoted installed, and the installer sets the price. From the quotes we see, a Daikin Altherma 3 air to water system typically lands at €11,000–€15,000 fully installed before the grant. Here is how that range usually breaks down by house size:
| House size | Typical installed price (before grant) | After SEAI grant (typical €10,500*) |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 bed (up to ~110 m²) | €11,000–€12,500 | From ~€500 (if all grant parts apply) |
| 3–4 bed semi (~110–150 m²) | €12,000–€13,500 | From ~€1,500 |
| 4–5 bed detached (150 m²+) | €13,500–€15,000+ | From ~€3,000 |
*Assumes the €6,500 heat pump unit grant plus the €4,000 renewable heat bonus (€10,500). The further €2,000 central heating upgrade component applies only where radiator or underfloor work is in scope, taking the maximum to €12,500.
For a full line-by-line breakdown of where the money goes (unit, cylinder, labour, radiators), see our heat pump installation cost guide.
SEAI Grant for Daikin Heat Pumps
Daikin models are on the SEAI approved product list, so the full grant applies. Since 3 February 2026 the maximum heat pump support is €12,500: a €6,500 heat pump unit grant, up to €2,000 towards heating system upgrades, and a €4,000 renewable heat bonus. To qualify, your home must have been built before 2021 and the system must be fitted by an SEAI-registered installer. With Daikin, that is the easiest box to tick of any brand.
Not every home gets every component, so check the SEAI grants guide for eligibility before you count the full €12,500 in your budget.
Daikin vs Mitsubishi Ecodan: Which Is Better for Ireland?
This is the most common head-to-head in Irish quotes, the two biggest installer networks in the country, and honestly the closest call on our list:
| Feature | Daikin Altherma 3 | Mitsubishi Ecodan |
|---|---|---|
| SCOP | ~4.6 | ~4.4 |
| Max flow temperature | Up to 70°C (H HT variant) | High-temp capable on newer models |
| Refrigerant | R-32 | R-290 on the latest models |
| Installed cost | €11,000–€15,000 | €11,500–€15,500 |
| SEAI grant | Up to €12,500 | Up to €12,500 |
| Irish installer network | Largest in Ireland | Large, second only to Daikin |
| Known for | Retrofit flexibility, service coverage | Quiet operation, reliability record |
Verdict: you won't go far wrong with either. Daikin edges it on variant choice for retrofits (the H HT's 70°C flow) and on sheer installer availability; the Ecodan has a devoted following for quiet running and the newest models' R-290 refrigerant. Our advice is to get both quoted and let the installers compete. Read our full Mitsubishi Ecodan review before you decide.
Daikin Heat Pumps: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Daikin heat pumps any good?
Yes. Daikin ranks #1 on our best heat pumps in Ireland list. The Altherma 3 publishes a SCOP of around 4.6, the H HT variant reaches 70°C flow temperatures for older retrofits, and Daikin has the largest SEAI-registered installer network in Ireland, which makes quotes competitive and aftercare easy. The trade-off is that some rivals now publish higher SCOPs or use R-290 natural refrigerant.
How much does a Daikin heat pump cost in Ireland?
Expect €11,000–€15,000 fully installed for a Daikin Altherma 3 air to water system before the grant. A typical 3–4 bed semi lands around €12,000–€13,500; larger detached homes or systems needing radiator upgrades run toward €15,000+. The SEAI grant of up to €12,500 then applies for qualifying homes.
Is there a Daikin heat pump price list for Ireland?
No. Daikin doesn't publish Irish retail prices. Systems are sold installed through SEAI-registered installers, who each price the full job (unit, cylinder, labour, any radiator work). That's why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands, and why we recommend getting at least three.
Is the Daikin Altherma 3 eligible for the SEAI grant?
Yes. Daikin models are on the SEAI approved product list. Since 3 February 2026 the maximum support is €12,500 (€6,500 heat pump grant + up to €2,000 heating system upgrades + €4,000 renewable heat bonus), for homes built before 2021 with an SEAI-registered installer.
Daikin or Mitsubishi Ecodan: which should I choose?
It's the closest call in the Irish market. Daikin offers more retrofit flexibility (the H HT variant's 70°C flow) and the biggest installer network; the Ecodan is prized for quiet operation and its newest models use R-290 refrigerant. Get both quoted. With two large installer networks, competition works in your favour.
What's the difference between the Altherma 3 R, 3 M, and 3 H HT?
The Altherma 3 R is the standard low-temperature split system (outdoor unit plus compact indoor hydrobox). The Altherma 3 M is a monobloc: everything sits outside, useful where indoor space is tight. The Altherma 3 H HT is the high-temperature model, running flow temperatures up to 70°C so older retrofits can keep their existing radiators; an H MT variant sits in between.
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Sources
- Daikin Ireland: Altherma air to water heat pumps, daikin.ie
- SEAI: Heat Pump Systems Grant, seai.ie
- SEAI: Approved Product Lists, seai.ie
Last updated: August 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.
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