Why heat pump quotes vary so much

Anyone who gets several quotes for a heat pump is often amazed: The amounts for the same house are far apart. And anyone who searches for the device name on the internet will seemingly find the device much cheaper. The suspicion quickly arises that too much is being charged somewhere. Usually, the explanation is more sober. The quotes do not describe the same service, and the online price only covers a part of what makes a functioning heating system. For you, this means: Do not compare the final total, but the content.

Why quotes turn out so differently

The first reason is the size of the system. The klimaaktiv brochure So läuft Ihre Wärmepumpe rund (This is how your heat pump runs smoothly), co-written by the Energieinstitut Vorarlberg, Energie Tirol and the eNu, essentially states: Heating systems are often designed too large in practice. This costs more to purchase and harms efficiency and lifespan. Estimates are expressly not enough there; a calculation according to ÖNORM EN 12831 or ÖNORM H7500-3 is required. A company that calculates might therefore arrive at a smaller and cheaper device than one that works with rules of thumb.

The second reason is the scope. One quote includes the foundation, electrical connection, buffer cylinder, dismantling of the old boiler and hydraulic balancing. The other lists some of these as an option, as the customer's work or not at all. On paper, the incomplete quote then seems cheaper.

In addition, there are the heat source and location. According to the same brochure, geothermal energy and groundwater are more complex to install than an air source heat pump. And depending on the installation site, sound insulation, pipe routing or permits need to be clarified, which also means effort.

What is included in the installer's price

An online price pays for a device in a cardboard box. The installer, on the other hand, delivers a heating system that works. This includes the heating load calculation, selecting the appropriate output, checking whether your radiators or underfloor heating can cope with a low flow temperature, installation, hydraulic balancing, commissioning with a handover protocol and training. Help with the public subsidy documents is often included as well.

Legally, you conclude a contract for work and services (Werkvertrag) with the installer, as klimaaktiv points out. The installer therefore owes a functioning result and is liable for defects. According to the Arbeiterkammer (Chamber of Labour), you have two years to claim warranty for tradesperson services, and if a defect appears within the first six months, you do not have to prove that it was there from the beginning. This responsibility is part of the price. The material price in the quote can therefore not be compared one-to-one with a shop price.

Why buying it yourself can be expensive

Public subsidy: The federal states set their own conditions, and many require invoices from an installer. One example is Vienna. According to the city's subsidy page, own labour, lump sums and pure material costs are not recognised there. The invoices must come from a company authorised for the work, be issued to you and must not be older than 6 months when the application is submitted. So if you buy the device yourself, you risk that exactly the most expensive item will not receive a public grant. You can find out what applies in your federal state at /foerderungen.

Liability: If you provide the device yourself, the risk shifts. § 1168a ABGB (Austrian Civil Code) stipulates that the installer is liable for problems with material provided by the customer, especially if it was obviously unsuitable and they did not warn you. You then clarify hidden defects on the device with the dealer, and installation errors with the installer. In the event of damage, you are caught between two contacts. Also ask beforehand whether the installer even mounts provided devices.

How to make quotes comparable

• Same specifications for everyone: Heat source, installation location, hot water, heated area, desired room temperature. The more precise your details, the better the quotes will match each other.
• Request a heating load calculation: Ask which standard was used for the calculation. You can get an initial orientation with the heating load calculator.
• Request a breakdown: klimaaktiv recommends that labour, material and other costs are shown separately.
• Look for gaps: Foundation, electrics, dismantling the old system, hydraulic balancing, commissioning, public subsidy support. Is it included, as an option, or not at all?
• Understand the cost estimate: According to § 5 KSchG (Consumer Protection Act), a cost estimate is considered binding unless the installer explicitly states otherwise. You only have to pay for it if you were informed of this beforehand. If it is designated as non-binding, it may be exceeded by about 10 to 15 percent in unavoidable circumstances, according to the Arbeiterkammer (Chamber of Labour). If a considerable overrun becomes apparent, the installer must inform you immediately according to § 1170a ABGB (Austrian Civil Code), otherwise they lose the right to claim additional costs.
• Commission in writing: Record the essential points you have agreed on in the order. You can refer to this later.

The checklist in the Wegweiser zur guten Installation von Wärmepumpen (Guide to good heat pump installation) by klimaaktiv and our guide checking the quote will help you go through it. If you are unsure, ask your federal state's energy advice service, such as the eNu, the Energieinstitut Vorarlberg or the Energieagentur Tirol.

What you can do now

A cheap quote is not automatically a good one, and an expensive one is not automatically excessive. The decisive factor is whether the system is correctly dimensioned and contains everything it needs to run. Therefore, get at least two, preferably three quotes on the same basis and have the differences explained to you. Via /anfrage you can get free and non-binding quotes from up to three checked installers, which you can compare directly side by side.