You want to finally know what a heat pump really costs in 2026, and whether it's worth it? Here you'll get no dry tables from the official gazette, but clear numbers, honest comparisons, and the odd laugh. Because yes: The state is really putting money on the table in 2026. And your wallet will thank you.
In 2026, complete installation costs for an air-water heat pump are €150–250 per m² (incl. materials, device, installation, and accessories).
For a typical 150 m² house, that means: €22,500–€37,500 before funding.
That sounds like a proud sum at first, but it isn't when you calculate the next 15–20 years of heating costs against it.
| Heat Pump Type | Cost per m² (2026) | Example 150 m² House |
|---|---|---|
| Air-water | €150–200 | €22,500–€30,000 |
| Ground-source | €200–250 | €30,000–€37,500 |
| Hybrid (HP + Gas) | €180–220 | €27,000–€33,000 |
Air-water is clearly the price-breaker and the best choice for most houses. Ground-source pays off especially with large properties and if you have to dig anyway.
Here's where it gets really good:
A system for €25,000 (fully installed) costs you only €7,500 net after funding.
Why? Because the KfW program 458 (current heating funding) gives up to 70% grant:
30% basic bonus
20% replacement bonus (because you're throwing out gas or oil)
20% efficiency bonus (for particularly economical models)
Maximum €21,000 grant at €30,000 eligible costs, you don't have to pay that back.
At current gas prices of approx. €0.12/kWh and a good annual performance factor (JAZ) of 3.5, the heat pump amortizes in just 4–6 years. After that, you heat almost for free.
Short version: You pay once, and save properly for years afterwards.
Calculate your personal costs now
Free calculator, no registration, instant result for your house
Open free calculator now →Yes, and how! Especially in older buildings, the combination of insulation + heat pump is unbeatable. Many think "my house is too old", when the opposite is true: With a hybrid solution (heat pump + small gas component for the very cold days), you get through the winter cheaply and efficiently.
The purchase price is only half the story. What a heat pump really costs you only becomes clear in operation. With an annual performance factor (JAZ) of 3.5, the delivered heat costs only about 0.086 EUR per kWh, while gas is currently around 0.12 EUR per kWh. For a 150 m² house, that means annual heating costs of roughly 1,543 EUR with the heat pump, compared to about 2,160 EUR with gas. That leaves you over 600 EUR more in your pocket every year.
On top of that, an air-water heat pump needs less maintenance than a gas boiler, because there is no burner, no chimney and no flue gas inspection. The regular check is done quickly and costs far less than servicing a gas system. And if you also have photovoltaics on the roof, the effective electricity price for the heat pump often drops below 0.10 EUR per kWh. Then the savings quickly turn into a four-figure sum per year.
❓ How much does the state really fund in 2026?
Via KfW program 458 up to 70% of eligible costs. That's up to €21,000 at €30,000 investment. The application runs completely digital via "My KfW", your heating installer helps you with it.
❓ Does the heat pump pay off in old houses?
Absolutely. Especially with a hybrid heat pump or additional insulation. The combo brings not only the best energy efficiency, but also the highest funding bonus.
❓ What does electricity really cost?
At a JAZ of 3.5, you only need about 1/3.5 of the heat energy as electricity. Even at €0.40/kWh electricity price, you're usually cheaper than with gas, and with your own solar power on the roof, it gets even much better.