We earn commissions from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our rankings or reviews. How we review
Geothermal heat pumps are the most efficient home heating technology available — achieving COP values of 4–5.5 by exchanging heat with the earth (10–12°C year-round, regardless of climate). They are standard in new construction across Scandinavia and increasingly common across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Germany's BEG subsidy can cover up to 70% of the installed cost.
6 systems reviewed
Best for: Suburban or urban plots with limited outdoor space
Best for: Rural properties with open agricultural land
Best for: Properties with groundwater well, pond, or river
Germany: BEG EM subsidises up to 70% of geothermal install cost (BEG + efficiency bonus + low-income bonus). | UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides £7,500 toward ground source heat pump install. | France: MaPrimeRénov' covers geothermal; amounts depend on household income. | Austria: Raus aus Öl und Gas — up to €7,500 for replacing gas/oil with geothermal. | Netherlands: ISDE subsidy applies to ground-source systems.
NIBE
Heating
12 kW
Cooling
12 kW
COP heating
4.87
COP cooling
4.5
Borehole depth
120 m
Warranty
10 yr
€11,500 equipment
+€18,000 est. install
Viessmann
Heating
13 kW
Cooling
11 kW
COP heating
4.7
COP cooling
4
Borehole depth
100 m
Warranty
10 yr
€12,500 equipment
+€17,500 est. install
Viessmann
Heating
21 kW
Cooling
18 kW
COP heating
4.9
COP cooling
4.2
Borehole depth
150 m
Warranty
10 yr
€18,500 equipment
+€24,000 est. install
Stiebel Eltron
Heating
12.6 kW
COP heating
4.75
Borehole depth
120 m
Warranty
5 yr
€9,500 equipment
+€16,500 est. install
Vaillant
Heating
10.4 kW
COP heating
4.7
Borehole depth
100 m
Warranty
7 yr
€10,500 equipment
+€16,000 est. install
Bosch
Heating
13 kW
Cooling
11 kW
COP heating
4.5
COP cooling
4
Borehole depth
120 m
Warranty
5 yr
€9,800 equipment
+€16,500 est. install
In Germany with BEG subsidies, payback can be as short as 5–8 years when replacing oil or gas at current energy prices. Ground loops last 50+ years; the heat pump unit 20–25 years. With the BEG covering 70%, the effective net cost is often lower than a high-efficiency gas condensing boiler.
Most EU countries allow vertical borehole drilling for geothermal use subject to permits. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have established licensing tracks (e.g. German EWS/Erdwärmesonde rules under Wasserhaushaltsgesetz §49). France requires a préfecture declaration for boreholes over 10m. Some regions have geological restrictions (e.g. certain karst areas). Your installer will handle permitting.
Yes — this is the most effective combination for near-zero energy homes. Solar powers the heat pump during the day. In Germany, a 10kW solar system paired with a NIBE or Vaillant geothermal unit can achieve Energieeffizienzklasse A+++ across the full year.
Most EU ground-source heat pumps provide passive cooling (circulating cool ground water through the distribution system) without running the compressor. Some units offer active cooling (reverse-cycle). This is valuable in southern EU climates facing increasingly hot summers.