10/08/2026

High Satisfaction with Heat Pumps – Experiences Exceed Expectations

Nancy Pauwels / stock.adobe.com

95 percent of homeowners who have switched to a heat pump in recent years are satisfied or very satisfied with their decision. This is shown by a recent survey conducted by ifeu, the Öko-Institut, and co2online. At the same time, homeowners who still heat with fossil fuels continue to have significant reservations about the technology.

Particularly striking is the discrepancy between experience and expectation: While the actual experiences of heat pump owners are predominantly positive, many owners without heat pumps associate the technology with high costs, significant installation effort, or extensive building modifications.

Cost-effectiveness and energy prices are important factors

In addition to technical experiences, economic aspects also play an important role in satisfaction. More than 70 percent of respondents believe that a heat pump pays off financially in the long term and consider subsidies to be an important factor in the appeal of the purchase. About two-thirds also agree with the statement that a heat pump makes them less dependent on fluctuating energy prices.

At the same time, the investment costs remain a major hurdle: About 80 percent of respondents without a heat pump consider the purchase price to be too high. For about half of them, their existing heating system has not yet reached the end of its service life. About 20 percent view the installation effort as too high a barrier, while 10 percent consider the subsidy requirements to be too complex.

Some reservations are based on false assumptions

The survey also shows that certain misconceptions about heat pumps persist. About half of homeowners without a heat pump assume that older single-family homes must undergo extensive renovation before installation. Just under a third consider underfloor heating to be absolutely necessary. According to the authors, these assumptions do not generally apply to modern heat pumps.

The political framework also plays a role: More than half of those surveyed perceive the eligibility requirements for subsidies as largely unclear. About 10 percent also fear significantly rising electricity prices and, consequently, higher ongoing costs.

More Information and Reliable Funding Needed

From the researchers’ perspective, the results show that, in addition to financial support, low-threshold information and support services are particularly necessary. These could include a free initial consultation, assistance with grant applications, or an online suitability test for one’s own residential building.

The survey is part of the research project “Heat Pump? I Can Do It!” by ifeu, the Öko-Institut, and co2online. The project investigates how owners of single-family and two-family homes can better assess their building’s suitability for a heat pump. The study is based, among other things, on literature reviews, expert interviews, and surveys of building owners. The next step will be a field test involving 100 to 200 participants.

Go to the “A heat pump? I can do that!” project page