Orca Air to Water Heat Pumps
Constant hot water, all year round, without oil, gas or an electric immersion — cutting water heating costs by up to 70%.
Like a refrigerator, running in reverse
An air-to-water heat pump draws in air from outside the building. Once it reaches the heat exchanger, refrigerant absorbs the latent heat in that air and evaporates. The vapour is then condensed into hot water — ready for your taps, shower and heating system.
Because the system is moving heat rather than generating it from a fuel source, Orca heat pumps produce up to 5 times more heating energy than the electricity used to power them — an efficiency rate of 300–400% or more. For every 1kWh of electricity in, you get roughly 3–4kWh of heat out.
Orca systems will operate independently down to −7°C, and as low as −15°C with the help of the integrated electric heater — well within what Ireland's climate throws at them.
A typical business example
Figures below are a worked example for a business using 1,000 litres of hot water a day — your own numbers will depend on usage, but the shape of the saving is the same for most households and businesses we work with.
| Average cost to heat 1,000L/day the old way | €11/day |
|---|---|
| Over 50 weeks a year | €3,850/yr |
| Orca 300L heating cylinder | €2,500 + VAT |
| Typical installation cost | from €500 |
| New water heating bill (up to 70% less) | ≈ €1,585/yr |
| Typical annual saving | ≈ €2,265/yr |
Domestic households typically save €1,200–€1,400 a year against oil, gas or electric immersion heating for a family of four. Costs vary by property and usage — call 086 8517 555 for numbers specific to you.
Why Irish homes and businesses choose Orca
- Reduced water heating costs — up to 70% lower than oil, gas or electric
- One system for all your heat sources, with a secondary coil for solid fuel stoves
- Simultaneous heating and cooling from the same unit
- Clean, healthy water stored in a stainless steel boiler
- Drier homes with reduced condensation
- Helps satisfy Part L of the Building Regulations
- SEAI-approved heating system
- App and cloud control from your phone, tablet or computer
- Silent operation at just 49dB
Built for the long term
| Guarantee | 12 years |
|---|---|
| Parts warranty | 2 years |
| Operating range | Down to −15°C (with electric heater) |
| Noise level | 49dB — silent operation |
| Integrated electric heater | 1.8kW |
| Domestic cylinder sizes | Up to 300L |
| Commercial/larger sanitary tanks | 500L – 5,000L |
| Anode protection | 2 MG anode for safety & longevity |
Every unit includes:
- Electronic expansion valve for precise control
- Double daily timer, LCD display, turbo function for fast reheating
- Auto-restart after a power cut
- Option to connect to oil, wood, solar or gas systems
Heat pump grants in 2026
SEAI's Individual Heat Pump Grant increased significantly from 3 February 2026, and could substantially reduce the upfront cost of switching.
Up to €12,500
Total available for a qualifying air-to-water heat pump: €6,500 unit grant + €2,000 heating system upgrade + €4,000 renewable heat bonus (paid after 12 months' operation).
Up to €7,500
For air-to-air heat pump systems: a €3,500 unit grant plus the €4,000 renewable heat bonus.
We'll help you check
Eligibility depends on your home and existing system. Call us and we'll talk you through what you're likely to qualify for as part of your free savings review.
Figures correct as of 2026 per SEAI's published grant scheme; always confirm current amounts and eligibility directly with SEAI before committing, as grant terms can change.
What it's like in a real home
We went with Sweeney Renewables and the Orca air to water heating system as our primary source of heat in our two storey house. We are very happy with this system as it provides us with constant heat and water without the need of oil or solid fuel. It is costing us €640 to run for the year and we found the after service was second to none.Gregory and Roisin Homeowners, Co. Donegal
Thanks for the installation of the Orca air to water heat pump. We have found it to be excellent. Frank and his team installed everything in one day which meant no disruption to our operation, including taking care of all the plumbing. If you have the space for the Orca system I would highly recommend it.Aongus McGuinness O'Briens Sandwich Café, Liosban, Galway
Common questions about heat pumps
Will the heat pump retrofit into a standard hot press?
Yes — the Orca air-to-water heat pump will fit into almost every standard hot press, with little more than small pipework adjustments needed.
Can I fit the heat pump alongside a solid fuel stove?
Yes. The Orca heat pump has a secondary gravity coil suitable for connection to a solid fuel stove, so the two can work together.
Wouldn't it be simpler to just fit an electric shower?
An electric shower defeats the purpose of the investment — electric showers consume large amounts of expensive electricity on demand, whereas an air-to-water heat pump provides constant hot water at a much lower running cost.
If I'm out at work all day with no heating on, will I still have hot water?
Yes — hot water is available constantly, day and night, at every hot tap and shower in the house.
Do I need a booster pump for showers?
In most cases no — mains water pressure is adequate to run the system directly, which saves on both purchase cost and running costs.
Without an electric shower, immersion or oil, how much could I save a year?
Typically €1,200–€1,400 a year for an average family of four, though your own figure will depend on usage and your current system.
How much does a heat pump cost to install?
It depends on your property and requirements. As a guide, a domestic 300L Orca cylinder is around €2,500 + VAT with installation typically from €500 — call us for an accurate figure and to talk through current SEAI grant support.