Heat pump without a federal subsidy: is it still worth it?

The federal government isn't paying anything more this year, so I'll wait until 2027 to replace my heating. That was the thinking until mid-October for many who still have an oil or gas boiler in their cellar. Our first assessment: for most people, waiting does not add up. The federal public subsidy is a grant towards the purchase price, but a heat pump pays for itself through running costs. And in seven out of nine federal states, the state government is contributing money even now.

What currently applies at federal level

From 10 July to the end of October 2026, the Sanierungsoffensive (renovation campaign) accepted no new registrations for Kesseltausch (boiler replacement scheme). Meanwhile it is confirmed: Kesseltausch is running again in a new edition, with registration possible from 2 November until 31 December 2026 at the latest. For 2027, 179 million Euro is earmarked for Kesseltausch, and applications are possible from 4 January 2027.

What was initially unclear here has now been answered: the new edition provides a public subsidy for deliveries and services from 7 October 2026, which includes systems installed this year. For a heat pump, there is a lump sum of 5.000 Euro instead of up to 7.500 Euro previously, and in 2027 the amount will remain the same. Anyone waiting for 2027 will therefore not receive more money, but will have to submit the application before installation.

What another winter with oil or gas costs

The Österreichische Energieagentur (Austrian Energy Agency) analyses household energy prices every month. In August 2026, heating oil was 48,1 % more expensive than a year earlier, wood pellets were 32,0 % more expensive, and natural gas was 7,9 % more expensive. In contrast, electricity cost 10,7 % less.

For the heat pump, this counts twice over, because it only pays for a fraction of its heat with electricity. According to klimaaktiv, modern appliances achieve a seasonal performance factor (Jahresarbeitszahl) of between 3 and 5: one kilowatt hour of electricity is turned into three to five kilowatt hours of heat, with the rest supplied by the environment.

Anyone who postpones the replacement by a year will pay the bill for oil or gas at current prices again this winter. How much of a difference this makes depends on your house, which is why we do not state a flat-rate amount here. You can calculate it for your own figures using the cost comparison.

What the federal states are paying now

The federal state subsidies run independently of the federal government. As of our last review at the end of September:

• Tyrol: up to 9.075 euros if a fossil-fuel heating system is replaced and hot water is prepared efficiently.
• Vienna: 35 % of the approved costs, up to a maximum of 8.000 euros for owner-occupied homes, with income limits and strict requirements regarding the flow temperature.
• Carinthia: 3.000 euros, up to 4.700 euros with a simultaneous solar thermal system and hydronic balancing.
• Burgenland: 30 % of the costs, 2.000 euros basic amount plus a 500 euro social bonus; for low incomes, a flat rate of 3.500 euros.
• Salzburg: up to 3.000 euros, maximum 40 % of the costs.
• Upper Austria: 100 euros per kW of heating capacity, up to a maximum of 1.700 euros for air-source heat pumps.
• Vorarlberg: up to 1.500 euros for air-to-water heat pumps, applications only until 31.12.2026.

Lower Austria does not have its own grant for heat pumps, but subsidises heating replacements via the Eigenheimsanierung (home renovation) scheme of the Wohnbauförderung (housing subsidy). Styria does not currently subsidise heat pumps, though some municipalities do.

When waiting is still sensible

There are cases where a few months of patience won't hurt. If the old heating system works reliably and insulation is planned anyway, it is wiser to improve the building envelope first and size the heat pump smaller afterwards. And in Styria or Lower Austria, where the state contributes little or nothing directly, the federal share weighs heavier. Anyone calculating tightly there should take advantage of the new edition and register from 2 November: the budget until the end of the year is limited, and there is no more money in 2027.

What you can do now

• In the Subsidy Manager, you can see in just a few steps what is available for your house in your federal state. You can find the details for each federal state under Subsidies.
• Book your federal state's energy advice session now. Without its report, registration for the federal public subsidy is not possible.
• Have it confirmed in the quote that the appliance meets the standard subsidy conditions, such as being listed in the GET product database and the maximum flow temperature. This way, you won't miss out on any subsidy.

Via our request for quotes, you will receive quotes from installers in your region.