Tired of High Energy Bills? Meet the Smarter Way to Heat Your Hot Water
Air to Water Heat Pump Cylinders: The Smarter Way to Heat Your Hot Water
When it comes to heating water efficiently, air-to-water heat pump cylinders are becoming the go-to choice for modern Irish homes. They combine clever technology with real-world savings, offering a clean, quiet, and low-maintenance alternative to traditional electric, gas, or oil-fired water heating systems.
How It Works
An air-to-water heat pump cylinder draws energy from the air — even when it’s as cold as –7 °C — and transfers that heat into the water stored inside the cylinder. It works like a fridge in reverse: instead of pushing heat out, it pulls it in and uses it to heat your domestic hot water.
Because it uses free energy from the air, it only needs a small amount of electricity to run. For every unit of electricity used, it can typically generate three to four units of heat, giving it a COP (Coefficient of Performance) of around 3–4. That means excellent efficiency and lower running costs all year round.
Turn Off the Boiler – and Keep the Hot Water
One of the biggest advantages of an air-to-water heat pump cylinder is that it allows you to turn off your oil or gas boiler at the end of April and keep it off until October.
During those months, most homes only need hot water — not central heating. Instead of running a full boiler just to heat water, the cylinder provides all your domestic hot water needs at a fraction of the cost.
Simple changes like this can make a big difference:
• Save on fuel by not burning oil or gas all summer
• Reduce wear and tear on your main heating system
• Lower your emissions while still enjoying plenty of hot water
• Run quieter and cleaner, with no flue gases or outdoor noise
When autumn arrives, the boiler can be switched back on for space heating, while the cylinder continues providing energy-efficient hot water every day of the year.
Why More Homeowners Are Making the Change
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Massive energy savings – Heat pump cylinders can cut hot water bills by up to 70% compared with electric immersion or oil systems.
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Environmentally friendly – They use renewable heat from the air, reducing carbon emissions and supporting Ireland’s move toward greener homes.
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Quiet and compact – Designed for indoor installation, often in a utility room or plant space, with noise levels as low as 35 dB.
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Simple installation – A self-contained unit that easily connects to existing plumbing, and many models work perfectly with solar PV.
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All-year performance – Built-in electric backup and smart controls guarantee hot water in every season.
Features Worth Looking For
• Generous tank capacity (200–300 L for typical homes)
• Operating temperature range down to –7 °C or lower
• PV integration for free solar-powered hot water
• Anti-Legionella protection for safe, hygienic water
• Smart control panel with Eco modes and timers
• Thick insulation to minimise heat loss
The Bottom Line
Air-to-water heat pump cylinders are a simple, smart, and sustainable upgrade. They let you enjoy reliable, low-cost hot water while cutting your dependency on oil or gas — especially through the summer months when heating isn’t needed.
Next year, when April comes around, turn off your boiler, let the air do the work, and enjoy hot water the energy-efficient way.
Available from Plumbdirect
At Plumbdirect we supply a range of high-efficiency air-to-water heat pump cylinders from trusted brands — perfect for new builds or retrofit projects.
Visit our showroom, shop online, or contact our team for expert advice on choosing the right model for your home.
Call us today on 061-413722 or get a quote online at www.plumbdirect.ie.