Electric storage heater replacement cost in Ireland
When an old storage heater gives up before winter, the cheapest-looking replacement is not necessarily the right one. You need enough heat for the room, suitable electrical supply and controls that match the way you occupy the home. A direct-acting panel heater and a high-heat-retention storage heater also have different running patterns, so compare the whole setup rather than the purchase price alone.
September 2026 Irish listing examples show how different the price labels can be: one wholesaler lists selected Dimplex Quantum heaters from €730 ex VAT for a 500 W model to €954 ex VAT for a 1500 W model, both product-only prices. A Dublin installer advertises a fitted price from €990 including call-out for a small Dimplex Quantum unit. These are not equivalent model-by-model quotes, a national range or a guarantee that your room can use the smallest heater.[1][2]
Use the checklist below to ask an electrician for a correctly sized, fully itemised supply-and-install price. It will also help you find out whether the existing heater is faulty, the circuit has a problem or the room needs a different heating solution.
Storage heater or panel heater: which job are you posting?
A storage heater charges a heat-retaining core and releases warmth later. A direct-acting electric panel heater uses electricity as it produces heat. Modern high-heat-retention models add better controls, but they still need to be matched to the room, wiring and tariff. If you replace a storage heater with a panel heater just because the box is cheaper, you may change when electricity is used and therefore your bill. Ask for both options only if the electrician can explain their suitability for your home.
A cold storage heater is not automatically a dead heater. The issue may be a control setting, supply, element or circuit. Describe the fault and ask for diagnosis versus replacement as separate options. Do not remove the casing or test live wiring yourself.
What the published prices include
Eurosales lists a 500 W Quantum model at €730 ex VAT and a 1500 W model at €954 ex VAT; those figures are for the heater, not the complete job. A Dublin installer lists a small Quantum heater from €990 including call-out and installation, but says it is a starting price and asks customers to obtain a model-specific quote. Do not compare the €990 fitted minimum with the 1500 W supply-only price as though they refer to the same unit.[1][2]
- Heater size and model: confirm the exact model number and room heat-loss basis for the proposed output.
- Electrical work: condition and arrangement of the existing circuit, local isolator, controls and any changes needed.
- Site work: safe removal and disposal of the old unit, wall fixings, access and any making good.
- Commissioning: set charging and output schedules, demonstrate controls and provide electrical completion documentation where applicable.
- Total payable: VAT, call-out, delivery, additional materials and any separate tariff or meter-related costs.
A written quote should say whether the old heater's removal and disposal are included. Older units can be heavy; leave disconnection and moving them to a suitable professional team. If a contractor finds an unsuitable circuit or damaged wiring, ask for the extra work and price in writing before authorising it.
Room size, circuits and electricity tariff affect the decision
Floor area alone is not a heat-loss calculation. Insulation, draughts, windows, ceiling height, exposure and the hours you need warmth all matter. Give the electrician the room dimensions and usage pattern, but let them size and specify the heater. If the home is being renovated, think about insulation or draught-proofing before committing to several new units.
Check your current electricity tariff rather than assuming all night-time electricity is cheaper. The CRU says time-of-use prices vary by time of day and advises comparing the options with your supplier. A storage heater's running cost will depend on its actual charging and boost consumption and your chosen plan. A smart meter alone does not tell you the total cost of using a new heater, and no single monthly bill estimate applies to every home.[3]
Send a photo of your bill's tariff name or provide it in words, but remove your account number and personal information before sharing. Ask the installer what supply arrangement the proposed unit needs and whether the existing heater circuit can be reused. Any tariff change is a separate decision with your electricity supplier.
Safety and grant claims to check
Replacing a fixed electric heater involves electrical work. Use a Registered Electrical Contractor to assess the circuit, install the unit, test it and provide the appropriate completion documentation. SEAI's technical standards for supported electric heating measures specify registered electrical installation and technical conditions; they do not mean every one-heater replacement automatically attracts a cash grant. Check the currently open scheme and your home's eligibility before deducting any grant from a quote.[4]
If the heater has a scorching smell, damaged cable or tripping protective device, stop using it and arrange an inspection. Do not bypass controls or protective devices to get through a cold spell. A repair might be viable, but the electrician needs to diagnose whether the heater and circuit are safe first.
Post a request that electricians can price
State the county, property type, number of units, room dimensions, existing heater make/model and symptoms. Note whether you want diagnosis first, like-for-like replacement, or advice on a modern high-heat-retention model. Photos of the front label, wall position and accessible isolator can help; do not open covers. Tell the electrician whether removal and disposal must be included.
Example: 'We have one old electric storage heater in a 14 sq m sitting room in an apartment in County Wicklow. It no longer warms up reliably. Please inspect whether it can be repaired and quote separately for a correctly sized high-heat-retention replacement if needed. Include the exact model, supply, circuit check, installation, old-heater removal, testing, VAT and any call-out. We can provide photos of the current unit and our tariff name. We would like the work completed before the colder weather.'
When comparing replies, look for a clear model and work scope, not just a headline figure. A quote that includes circuit remedial work and safe disposal is different from a product-only online price, and a smaller unit may be unsuitable even if it appears more affordable.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a replacement storage heater in Ireland?+
September 2026 examples include €730 ex VAT for a 500 W heater at one Irish wholesaler and a Dublin installer's fitted offer from €990 for a small unit. Those are different models and scopes, not a national fitted range. Get a quote for the heater size and circuit your room actually needs.[1][2]
Is a modern storage heater cheaper to run than an electric panel heater?+
It depends on when each heater uses electricity, how much heat the room needs, your controls and your tariff. Check your supplier's time-of-use options and ask the installer for the proposed heater's charging and boost requirements rather than relying on a blanket saving claim.[3]
Can I replace only one storage heater?+
A single unit can be replaced as a private job if it suits the room and circuit. Do not assume that a one-unit replacement qualifies for an energy grant; scheme-supported upgrades have their own technical and eligibility conditions.[4]
Who should fit a fixed electric storage heater?+
Use a Registered Electrical Contractor to inspect the supply, install and test a fixed heater, and clarify the completion documentation that applies to the work.[4]
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