Air-to-air heat pump consumption : annual cost in 2026
An air-to-air heat pump (reversible air conditioning) uses between 400 and 2 800 kWh per year depending on the configuration, the usage and the home. This guide details the annual costs by scenario, explains the SEER and SCOP coefficients, and gives concrete levers to cut the bill.
Estimates at 0.25 €/kWh · standard BE home · mixed use.
Annual cost of an air-to-air heat pump by configuration and by use
Costs estimated at 0.25 €/kWh (average Belgian tariff 2026) for a home of 80 to 120 m² in Belgium. Average SCOP used : 3.8 (winter) ; SEER : 5.0 (summer). Adjust via the estimator below.
| Configuration | Heating only Winter use only | Heating + cooling Mixed annual use | Cooling only Summer use only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono-split (1 room)2.5 kW · area ~25 m² | 80–200 €/year | 100–350 €/year | 40–100 €/year |
| Bi-split (2 rooms)5 kW · area ~50 m² | 150–380 €/year | 200–520 €/year | 80–190 €/year |
| Multi-split (3–5 rooms)10 kW · area ~100 m² | 260–550 €/year | 350–700 €/year | 130–320 €/year |
Indicative costs. A poorly insulated home or high set-point temperatures can exceed the upper ranges. See the air-to-air heat pump sheet for the technical detail, or compare with the consumption across all technologies. For the purchase budget, see the air-to-air heat pump prices.
What makes the electricity bill of your air-to-air heat pump vary
Two identical air-to-air heat pumps in two neighbouring homes can show very different consumption. Here are the six levers that weigh the most.
- SEER and SCOP (performance indicators)
The SCOP measures efficiency in winter heating : a SCOP of 4 means 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity. The SEER measures efficiency in summer cooling. Prefer a SCOP ≥ 4.0 and a SEER ≥ 5.0 for controlled bills.
- Floor area and insulation of the home
A poorly insulated house (old double glazing, no roof insulation) needs more power and runs the compressor for longer. An energy audit can reveal big gains before you even optimise the heat pump.
- Summer use vs winter
In Belgium, winter heating uses 3 to 5 times more than a simple spell of summer cooling. If you use the air-to-air heat pump mainly for cooling, the annual bill is far lower than for mixed use.
- kWh tariff and off-peak hours
At a tariff of 0.25 €/kWh, 1 000 kWh consumed cost 250 €. Switching to a peak/off-peak contract and scheduling night-time operation can cut the bill by 10 to 20 %.
Heat pump consumption guide → - Scheduling and thermostat
Lowering the set point by 1 °C represents around 6 % savings. A time scheduler (night, absence, presence) and a mobile app help avoid heating or cooling an empty room.
- Annual upkeep of filters and links
Clogged filters reduce air flow and degrade the SEER. Cleaning the indoor filters twice a year keeps the machine performing at its rated level.
The incentives to optimise the overall cost of your air-to-air heat pump
Annual consumption is the running part of the cost ; the initial investment can be reduced through incentives and favourable VAT. The less you pay for the installation, the faster your heat pump pays for itself.
6 % VAT on supply and fitting
For renovation of a home over 10 years old, the air-to-air heat pump benefits from reduced VAT at 6 % on supply and fitting. That is a saving of 150 to 1 200 € depending on the chosen configuration.
- Private-use home over 10 years old
- Invoice issued in the name of the owner-occupier
- Sworn declaration certificate provided by wendows
- Applicable to supply AND labour
Renolution grant — conditional
The Renolution grant can cover the installation of a high-performance air-to-air heat pump (EER ≥ 3.5, SCOP ≥ 3.8). Amount to be confirmed depending on your income and situation.
- Certified heat pump installer (Renolution-recognised certification)
- EER ≥ 3.5 and SCOP ≥ 3.8 required for the application
- Home over 10 years old
- Itemised invoice by line provided
Get your real annual cost within 48 h
We size the heat pump to your home, apply the 6 % VAT and simulate the annual consumption : you know exactly what the machine will cost you each year.
- We analyse your home
Floor area, insulation, exposure, uses : we characterise your home to size the heat pump as precisely as possible and avoid oversizing, the enemy of efficiency.
- We choose the optimal configuration
Mono, bi or multi-split : we select the configuration that covers your needs without wasting energy, factoring in the SCOP and SEER of the available models.
- We install and tune
Our certified technicians carry out the fitting, the refrigerant connection and the commissioning at the optimal set point. Correct tuning cuts consumption from the very first winter.
- We explain optimisation
Scheduling, night mode, off-peak hours : we show you how to set up your system to minimise the bill day to day.
For maximum financial support, the air-to-water heat pump or the geothermal heat pump qualify for larger regional grants. They also produce domestic hot water, which the air-to-air heat pump does not.
Calculate your electricity bill in 10 seconds
Select your configuration to get an annual cost range. For precise pricing tailored to your home and your tariff, request a free quote.
Indicative estimate for a well-insulated BE home of 80–120 m², tariff 0.25 €/kWh. Your real consumption depends on the SCOP, the set-point temperature and the climate.
Annual cost of a bi-split air-to-air heat pump in Brussels
A concrete case to give a realistic picture — your situation will be costed during the free quote.
Indicative example dated 2026. Real consumption varies with insulation, weather and habits. Request your quote for a personalised simulation.
Dig deeper before deciding
- Air-to-air heat pump Full guide
Technologies, COP, advantages and limits of reversible air conditioning brought together on the pillar page.
See the full guide → - Consumption, all heat pumps Comparison
Annual consumption compared between air-to-air, air-to-water and geothermal heat pumps : choose the technology suited to your use.
Compare the technologies → - Air-to-air heat pump prices Installation budget
Ranges by mono/bi/multi-split configuration, cost factors and a sample quote to budget your project.
See the prices →
Your questions about air-to-air heat pump consumption
How much does an air-to-air heat pump use per year in Belgium ?
A 2.5 kW mono-split in mixed use consumes between 400 and 1 400 kWh per year, i.e. 100 to 350 € at 0.25 €/kWh. A 10 kW multi-split (3 to 5 rooms) can reach 1 400 to 2 800 kWh per year (350 to 700 €). The home’s insulation and the frequency of use are the main factors.
What is the difference between SCOP and SEER ?
The SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient Of Performance) measures the efficiency in heating mode over the whole winter season : a SCOP of 4 means 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity. The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures the efficiency in cooling mode over the summer season. A SCOP ≥ 4.0 and a SEER ≥ 5.0 are good targets to keep the bill down.
Does the air-to-air heat pump use a lot in cooling mode ?
In Belgium, the summer cooling period is short (2 to 3 months). A well-sized mono-split uses 150 to 400 kWh per summer in cooling, i.e. 40 to 100 €. It is the winter heating part that represents 70 to 80 % of the total annual consumption.
How can I reduce the electricity consumption of my air-to-air heat pump ?
Four effective levers : (1) lowering the set point by 1 to 2 °C saves 6 to 12 % ; (2) scheduling off-presence slots reduces needless running ; (3) opting for an off-peak contract and shifting intensive periods ; (4) cleaning the filters every 3 to 6 months to maintain SEER/SCOP performance.
Is the air-to-air heat pump more economical than an electric radiator ?
Yes, markedly. An electric radiator has an efficiency of 1 : 1 kWh of electricity produces 1 kWh of heat. An air-to-air heat pump with SCOP 4.0 produces 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh of electricity. Over a winter season, the heat pump costs 3 to 4 times less than an equivalent electric radiator.
Does upkeep of the air-to-air heat pump affect consumption ?
Yes. Clogged filters reduce air flow and degrade the SEER by 5 to 15 %. Annual upkeep (or twice yearly under heavy use) including filter cleaning, checking the refrigerant links and inspecting the outdoor unit keeps the original performance.
Your real consumption, calculated for your home
The ranges give the order of magnitude — a free quote gives the precise simulation tailored to your floor area, your insulation and your electricity tariff. Optimal configuration, guaranteed SCOP and tuning done at commissioning.
- Free and without obligation
- Annual consumption simulation included
- Costed quote within 48 working hours