24 July 2026

Is your home ready for a heat pump? The honest checklist

Insulation, heat-emission system, outdoor space and hot water: the four points that determine what's possible — and in which order to tackle them.

Insulation first. A heat pump runs at a low flow temperature, and that only works if the heat actually stays inside. If you know your energy label, you have a first indication: with label A or B much is possible, with label E, F or G insulating is the logical first investment — not the heat pump. In between it depends on what has already been done (roof, cavity walls, glazing) and the calculation decides.

Then the heat-emission system. Underfloor heating is ideal, generously sized radiators work fine; undersized radiators are the bottleneck at low temperature. Check the practical side too: is there outdoor space for the outdoor unit (garden, flat roof or facade — mindful of the legal noise limit towards the neighbours), and where would the indoor part go? Often that is where the boiler hangs now, plus, for all-electric, a hot-water cylinder about two metres tall.

If one point disappoints, that is not the end of the story but a matter of sequence: a hybrid heat pump works alongside the boiler and demands far less — much less gas now, all-electric later once the insulation is in order. And if you only want to green your hot water, you can start small with a heat-pump water heater.

The checklist closes with the calculation: a heat-loss survey of € 150 to € 450 shows per room what your home loses, which capacity fits and whether the radiators suffice. With that report you request sharper quotes — and set every offer against the price index with confidence.