How much does a heat pump cost?
An air-source heat pump in Austria, fully installed, usually costs 18.000 bis 30.000 €, ground-source with a surface collector 25.000 bis 35.000 € and with a borehole 28.000 bis 45.000 € (gross, before public grants, as of August 2026). Where your house sits in this range depends almost entirely on the building. The ranges are based on experience and do not replace a quote, but they show you whether one is reasonable.
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What do you currently heat with?
Other heating or new build →Typical price ranges
| System type | Complete price incl. installation | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump Split or monobloc, installed outside | approx. 18.000 – 30.000 € | The standard case. No excavation, no permit, shortest installation time. |
| Ground-source heat pump, surface collector | approx. 25.000 – 35.000 € | Requires garden space roughly the size of the heated area. |
| Ground-source heat pump, borehole | approx. 28.000 – 45.000 € | Highest efficiency, water rights permit required, drilling costs dominate. |
Empirical values for single and two-family houses in Austria, as of August 2026. Different scales apply to apartment buildings and commercial properties.
What really drives the price
The unit costs often make up less than half of the bill. The difference between an 18.000-Euro and a 30.000-Euro project is usually down to these points:
- Required flow temperature. The higher it is, the larger the unit must be and the worse the efficiency. The most important single factor.
- Condition of the heat distribution. If radiators need to be replaced, several thousand Euro are quickly added.
- Cylinders and hydraulics. Buffer cylinder, hot water cylinder, modification of the distribution system — often underestimated.
- Installation location and pipe runs. Core drilling, long pipes, soundproofing towards neighbours.
- Electrical connection. Older houses sometimes need a stronger connection or a new meter cabinet.
- Disposal of the old system. A noticeable expense, especially with oil tanks.
These items belong in the quote
Never compare quotes just by the final total. A cheap quote missing three items will end up being the most expensive. Check:
| Item | What to look out for |
|---|---|
| Heat pump | Manufacturer, model, output in kW, refrigerant (R290 or R32) |
| Cylinder | Buffer and hot water cylinder with litres — not just "cylinder" |
| Hydraulics & installation | Connection, circulation pumps, fittings, insulation |
| Electrical installation | Supply line, fusing, possibly meter cabinet and smart meter connection |
| Commissioning | Adjustment and hydraulic balancing — not optional |
| Old system | Dismantling and disposal, for oil incl. tank disposal |
| Public grant processing | Who submits the applications, what evidence does the installer provide |
Deducting public grants
The prices mentioned are gross prices without public grants. The federal fund of the Sanierungsoffensive (renovation offensive) has been exhausted since 10 July 2026 — new applications for the Kesseltausch (boiler replacement) are currently not possible. The federal state public grants continue independently of this, and there are differences of several thousand Euro between the federal states.
- Vienna — 35 % of the eligible costs, up to 8.000 € in a single-family home (5.250 € in an apartment). From its own budget, independent of the federal stop.
- Burgenland — up to 2.000 € base amount, with social supplement up to 2.500 €.
- Upper Austria — up to 1.700 €.
- Lower Austria — no direct grant for heat pumps, but an annuity grant (Annuitätenzuschuss) for comprehensive renovations and the „Sauber Heizen für Alle" (Clean Heating for Everyone) programme for low-income households.
Vienna ties the public subsidy to its own technical conditions — the heat pump must be listed in the GET-Produktdatenbank (GET product database), and the design flow temperature must not exceed 40 °C (above this only with proof of efficiency). In addition, there are income limits. The installer will check which conditions your house meets during the site visit.
All federal states in detail Request quotes with public subsidy
Frequently asked questions about costs
Why can't I get a fixed price on the internet?
Because the price depends almost entirely on your building: heating load, required flow temperature, condition of the distribution system, installation location, power connection, cylinder size. Two houses with the same living area can differ by 10.000 Euro in the quote. Reliable figures are only available after an on-site appointment.
What is usually included in the quote?
Unit, buffer cylinder and hot water cylinder, hydraulics and installation, electrical connection, commissioning and adjustment, as well as the disposal of the old system. Check every quote for these — missing items are the most common reason why a cheap quote ends up being more expensive.
How much does it cost to run per year?
The electricity consumption is calculated from your heat demand divided by the seasonal performance factor. A well-designed system in a renovated house achieves values around 4, an unrenovated older building with radiators more like 2,5 to 3. On top of that comes maintenance, typically 200 to 350 Euro per year.
Is the switch financially worthwhile?
That depends on three factors: the amount of the public grant, the ratio of electricity to gas/oil prices, and the seasonal performance factor. Don't rely on a generic payback period from the internet, but have the figures calculated for your house — every good installer will do this.
Numbers for your house instead of ranges from the internet
Up to three installers will calculate your specific project for you — free of charge.