We earn commissions from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our rankings or reviews. How we review
Heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat a European home with electricity — delivering 3–5× more energy than they consume. The EU's REPowerEU plan targets 10 million new heat pump installations by 2027. Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands offer generous subsidies covering up to 70% of install costs.
8 heat pumps reviewed
Best for: Radiator or underfloor heating retrofit replacing gas boiler
Best for: Mediterranean climates needing both heating and cooling
Best for: New construction or rural homes with land or borehole access
Germany: BEG subsidy covers up to 70% of heat pump install cost (BEG EM). | France: MaPrimeRénov' covers €4,000–€8,000 depending on household income. | Italy: Superbonus 110% (consult a commercialista for current rules). | Netherlands: ISDE subsidy covers up to €5,275 for air-source heat pumps. | UK: Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides £7,500 for air-source, £7,500 for ground-source.
Viessmann
Heating
12 kW
Cooling
10 kW
COP (heating)
5.4
COP (cooling)
4.5
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
30 dB
Refrigerant
R-290 (propane)
Warranty
10 yr
+€4,500 install est.
NIBE
Heating
12 kW
Cooling
10 kW
COP (heating)
5.12
COP (cooling)
4
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
51 dB
Refrigerant
R-410A
Warranty
10 yr
+€4,200 install est.
Vaillant
Heating
10.5 kW
Cooling
9 kW
COP (heating)
5.3
COP (cooling)
4.2
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
35 dB
Refrigerant
R-290 (propane)
Warranty
7 yr
+€4,500 install est.
Daikin
Heating
11 kW
Cooling
11 kW
COP (heating)
4.65
COP (cooling)
4
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
50 dB
Refrigerant
R-32
Warranty
5 yr
+€4,500 install est.
Mitsubishi Electric
Heating
11.2 kW
COP (heating)
4.3
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
49 dB
Refrigerant
R-32
Warranty
7 yr
+€4,200 install est.
Bosch
Heating
9 kW
Cooling
9 kW
COP (heating)
5
COP (cooling)
4
Min temp
-25°C
Outdoor noise
48 dB
Refrigerant
R-410A
Warranty
5 yr
+€4,400 install est.
Viessmann
Heating
9 kW
Cooling
9 kW
COP (heating)
4.6
COP (cooling)
4
Min temp
-20°C
Outdoor noise
49 dB
Refrigerant
R-32
Warranty
5 yr
+€3,500 install est.
Daikin
Heating
4 kW
Cooling
3.5 kW
COP (heating)
5.1
COP (cooling)
4.6
Min temp
-20°C
Outdoor noise
46 dB
Refrigerant
R-32
Warranty
5 yr
+€1,200 install est.
COP (Coefficient of Performance) measures efficiency at a single temperature; SCOP (Seasonal COP) measures performance across an entire heating season. EU regulations require SCOP ratings, making EU heat pumps directly comparable. A SCOP of 4.0 means 4× more heat per unit of electricity vs resistance heating across the season.
Modern air-source heat pumps from Mitsubishi Ecodan, NIBE, and Vaillant aroTHERM operate efficiently down to -20°C to -25°C. Scandinavia, Finland, and the Baltic states all have rapidly growing heat pump markets. Ground-source heat pumps perform independently of outdoor temperature in any EU climate.
Yes — modern high-temperature heat pumps (e.g. Vaillant aroTHERM at 65°C flow temperature) work with existing radiators without replacement in most cases. For older homes with low-temperature designs, some radiator upgrades may be needed. Your installer can assess compatibility.
Yes — the ideal combination. Solar powers the heat pump during the day; with a battery, stored solar runs it at night. In Germany, a typical 10kW solar system + heat pump combination can deliver near-zero net heating and electricity cost.