Heat pump

A heat pump is a heat source that uses an electrically driven compressor to take low-temperature heat from the surroundings and deliver it at a higher temperature to the heating system or for hot water. By source and recipient of heat, there are air-to-water, ground-to-water (boreholes or a ground collector), water-to-water and air-to-air types.

How to read efficiency figures

Efficiency is expressed by the coefficient of performance (COP, or SCOP for the seasonal average): the ratio of heat delivered to electricity used. Example: with a COP of 3, the pump delivers 3 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity and takes the remaining 2 kWh from the surroundings. The COP falls as the temperature difference between the source and the heating water grows, so heat pumps suit low-temperature systems such as underfloor heating and well-insulated houses best.

In the energy performance certificate, ambient energy has a primary energy factor of 0 under Decree No. 264/2020 Coll.; only the electricity used counts (factor 2.1). A house with a heat pump therefore usually scores better than one with direct electric heaters.

What to watch out for when buying a house

• Distribution tariff: a household heated by a heat pump can, under the Energy Regulatory Office's conditions, have the D57d tariff with 20 hours of low tariff a day; the compressor is not blocked during the high tariff. The older D56d tariff has not been granted to new customers since April 2016.
• Noise: the outdoor unit is a noise source and the operator must keep noise at neighbouring homes within the noise limits (Section 30 of Act No. 258/2000 Coll.).
• Boreholes: boreholes for a ground-source pump require the consent of the water authority under Section 17 of the Water Act; for some boreholes in a water source protection zone or flood zone a permit is needed instead; ask for it together with the borehole documentation.
• Documents: type and year of installation, output relative to the house's heat loss, service records and electricity bills for recent years.

Frequently asked questions

Can a heat pump be seen in the register?

Since July 2024 the RÚIAN register also records the energy source of the heating, including the values 'central building - heat pump' and 'local - heat pump'. Older records mostly do not show it, so the actual installation and documentation are what count.

Is there support for heat pumps?

The state supports replacing heat sources through the Nová zelená úsporám programme. Forms of support and conditions change with each call, so they need to be checked before buying. Compared with direct electric heating, installation costs tend to be higher but electricity consumption lower.