Costs, assistance, tariffs, and varieties of heat pumps explained

In an effort to promote energy-efficient home renovations, homeowners can now claim up to 20% of the costs for installing energy-efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps, over a period of three years in their tax returns.

Heat pumps are a popular choice for home heating due to their eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness. These systems transport energy from the environment into a house and convert it into heat, making them suitable for almost all buildings and almost standard in new constructions.

There are several types of heat pumps available, including monoblock and split heat pumps, and operational types such as compression, absorption, adsorption, and magnetocaloric heat pumps. Based on the heat source, common types include air heat pumps (air-water or air-air), ground heat pumps (using collectors or deep boreholes), and groundwater heat pumps.

The acquisition and installation of a heat pump system are state-funded, making the switch from other heating systems worthwhile. The costs for an air heat pump including installation are approximately between 10,000 and 35,000 €, while a ground heat pump can range from 12,000-45,000 € due to the necessary earthworks and deep drilling. On the other hand, using a geothermal pump costs approximately 50-75 € per month.

If you replace an old gas heating system with a modern heat pump, you may receive subsidies of up to 70% of the costs. For those with less than 90,000 € of taxable household income, a supplementary loan from KfW is also available. The state funding for heat pumps will be available from February 2024, awarded by KfW.

In August 2024, Stiftung Warentest examined different models of air-to-water heat pumps, and all models from both tests convinced, with 8 heat pumps rated "good" and 3 devices receiving a "satisfactory" rating. The Buderus model was crowned as the test winner.

Heat pumps are considered very environmentally friendly because they do not require additional fuel such as coal, oil, wood, or gas. With regular maintenance, they can have a lifespan of 15-20 years, even longer.

In summary, heat pumps offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for home heating. With the availability of state funding and subsidies, now is an excellent time to consider making the switch to a heat pump system.