Heat pump consumption: the real bill in 2026
How much electricity does a heat pump really use each year? This guide breaks down the kWh by technology and floor area, the role of the COP, and the concrete levers to lighten your bill without sacrificing comfort.
Estimates at €0.25/kWh, excluding DHW unless stated.
Annual electricity cost by heat pump type and floor area
Estimates for heating + DHW in a well-insulated house (EPC C), electricity tariff €0.25/kWh, seasonal average COP (SCOP): 3.5 for air-to-water, 2.8 for air-to-air, 4.2 for geothermal.
| Heat pump type | Small house 80 m² · needs ≈20 000 kWhth | Medium 120 m² · needs ≈30 000 kWhth | Large 180 m² · needs ≈45 000 kWhth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-to-airSCOP ≈2.8 · cooling only | 400–700 €/year | 600–1 000 €/year | 900–1 400 €/year |
| Air-to-waterSCOP ≈3.5 · heating + DHW | 700–1 100 €/year | 1 000–1 500 €/year | 1 400–2 100 €/year |
| GeothermalSCOP ≈4.2 · heating + DHW | 550–850 €/year | 850–1 300 €/year | 1 200–1 800 €/year |
Indicative estimates for an EPC C home (standard insulation). An old, poorly insulated house can consume 30–50 % more. For a precise calculation tailored to your home, request a free quote. See also: air-to-water, geothermal.
What makes your heat pump consumption vary
For the same floor area, two heat pumps can show very different bills. Here are the six levers that truly weigh on annual consumption.
- COP and SCOP: the seasonal efficiency
The COP (Coefficient of Performance) measures how many kWh of heat are produced per kWh of electricity consumed. A SCOP of 4 means 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity. The higher the SCOP, the lower the bill — choosing a properly sized heat pump is decisive.
- Insulation level of the home
A poorly insulated house (EPC E or F) needs more operating hours to maintain temperature. Improving insulation before or at the same time as installing the heat pump can cut consumption by 30 % or more.
Insulation solutions → - Climate and outdoor temperature
An air-to-water heat pump loses efficiency when the outdoor temperature drops below 0 °C. In Belgium, the mild coastal winters favour a better SCOP than the Ardennes or the Condroz plateau.
- Electricity tariff and operating hours
Running the heat pump during off-peak hours (night, weekend) or pairing the installation with solar panels significantly reduces the real cost per kWh. A dual-rate meter or a "dynamic tariff" contract can save 15–25 % on the heat pump bill.
Solar panels → - Underfloor heating vs radiators
Underfloor heating operates at low temperature (30–35 °C) versus 50–60 °C for conventional radiators. The heat pump is clearly more efficient at low temperature: the SCOP can gain 0.5 to 1 point, i.e. an extra 15–20 % saving.
- Domestic hot water production (DHW)
DHW production accounts for 20–30 % of an air-to-water heat pump’s consumption. A well-sized tank (200–300 L) programmed during solar hours optimises this item. In summer, some heat pumps use residual heat to produce DHW almost for free.
Cut your bill with regional grants
Grants reduce the investment cost, which improves the return on investment calculated on your energy bill. Here are the subsidies available in Belgium in 2026.
Prime Habitation
Grant for replacing fossil heating (oil, gas, coal) with a high-performance heat pump. The more your bill drops, the faster the return on investment.
- Replacement of a fossil generator (oil, gas, coal)
- Heat pump with a COP ≥ 3.5 (A++ label or higher)
- Prior home audit for the highest amounts
Renolution grants
Subsidy for installing a high-performance heat pump with three income categories.
- Heat pump for heating or domestic hot water production
- Home more than 10 years old
- Certified installer and detailed invoice
Get your price net of grants within 48h
We check your entitlements, quote net of grant and handle the paperwork: you pay nothing upfront.
- We assess your current consumption
Energy bills, type of heating, floor area: we estimate the savings achievable with a heat pump.
- We size and quote
Simplified thermal assessment, choice of the right heat pump, estimate of the projected annual electricity consumption.
- We handle the grant application
Regional forms, technical annexes, decommissioning certificate for the fossil heating.
- We deduct where possible
The grant is taken off your final bill. No cash advance.
In Flanders? The Mijn VerbouwPremie also covers heat pump installation — ask us for the details for your municipality.
Estimate your annual cost in 10 seconds
Choose the technology to get an indicative annual bill range. Your real consumption depends on insulation, climate and your habits.
Indicative estimate for an EPC C home. A poorly insulated house can consume 30 to 50 % more.
Real annual bill: a concrete case
An example of consumption tracking to make the estimates meaningful. Your project will be quoted according to your precise needs.
Comparison with an oil boiler consuming 2 800 L/year at €1.25/L (€3 500/year). Indicative 2026 figures. Request your quote for a personalised estimate.
Dig deeper before deciding
- Heat pump Complete guide
Technologies, COP, sizing and maintenance brought together on the pillar page of the heat pump silo.
See the complete guide → - Heat pump price Investment
Ranges by technology, available grants and a worked quote example for 2026.
See the prices → - How a heat pump works Technology
How a heat pump works, the refrigeration cycle and the role of the COP explained simply.
Understand how it works →
Your questions about heat pump consumption
How many kWh does a heat pump use per year?
An air-to-water heat pump heating a 120 m² house (EPC C) typically consumes between 6 000 and 9 000 electrical kWh per year, including DHW. A geothermal heat pump uses 20 to 30 % less thanks to its better SCOP (4 to 5). An air-to-air heat pump used as a backup consumes 2 000 to 4 000 kWh depending on usage.
What is the COP and why does it matter for the bill?
The COP (Coefficient of Performance) indicates the ratio between the thermal energy produced and the electricity consumed. A COP of 4 means the heat pump produces 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity. The SCOP (Seasonal COP) is the annual average value, more representative of real Belgian conditions. Choosing a heat pump with a high SCOP directly reduces the bill.
Does a heat pump consume more in winter?
Yes. Consumption is concentrated over the heating season (October to April). In winter, an air-to-water heat pump sees its COP drop when the outdoor temperature falls below 0 °C, which increases consumption. In summer, it only consumes for DHW production, i.e. 5 to 10 % of annual consumption.
How can I reduce my heat pump consumption?
Four main levers: (1) improve the home’s insulation to reduce thermal needs; (2) schedule operation during off-peak or solar hours; (3) aim for a low flow temperature (underfloor heating at 35 °C rather than radiators at 55 °C); (4) cover part of the consumption with photovoltaic solar panels.
Does domestic hot water production use a lot?
DHW accounts for around 20 to 30 % of the annual consumption of an air-to-water heat pump with a tank. For a household of 4 people, count on 1 000 to 1 500 electrical kWh per year for DHW. Scheduling the tank recharge at night (off-peak tariff) or in the middle of the day (solar surplus) optimises this item.
How much do you save on the bill by switching from an oil boiler to a heat pump?
With an oil boiler consuming 2 500 L/year at €1.25/L (€3 125/year) and an air-to-water heat pump with an annual cost of €1 800 to €2 200, the annual saving lands between €900 and €1 300 depending on the heat pump’s efficiency and the electricity tariff. The return on investment (excluding grants) is 7 to 10 years; brought down to 5–7 years thanks to regional grants.
Your real consumption estimated, tailored to your home
The tables give orders of magnitude — your thermal assessment gives the real figures. Tailored sizing, projected savings calculated and grants deducted: a single point of contact, answer in under a minute.
- Free and with no obligation
- Personalised annual consumption estimate
- Grants & 6% VAT calculated and deducted