How much electricity does a heat pump actually consume? That's one of the most common questions I hear from homeowners. Many fear a hefty electricity bill, and yet the reality in 2026 is really exciting.
Here you'll learn exactly how to calculate your heat pump's electricity consumption yourself, what the magic JAZ means, and why you usually heat cheaper with a heat pump than with gas. No technical jargon, just clear numbers and a calculator that shows you everything in seconds.
The Annual Performance Factor (JAZ) is your heat pump's efficiency rating. It tells you: How much heat do I get from 1 kWh of electricity?
Air-water heat pump: JAZ 3.0–4.0 (very good)
Ground-source heat pump: JAZ 4.0–5.0 (even better)
Important for funding: KfW 270 requires at least JAZ 3.0. Anything above brings you the extra 20% efficiency bonus, even more money from the state.
The higher the JAZ, the less electricity you need. That's the key to affordable heating costs.
The calculation is child's play:
Electricity consumption (kWh/year) = Heat demand of your house (kWh) ÷ JAZ
Example for a normal 150 m² house (heat demand approx. 18,000 kWh per year):
At JAZ 3.5: 18,000 ÷ 3.5 = 5,143 kWh electricity per year → At €0.30/kWh electricity price = approx. €1,543 heating costs per year
That's all. You only need three numbers: heat demand, JAZ, and your electricity price, and you know exactly what's coming.
Calculate your personal electricity costs now
Free calculator, no registration, instantly see your consumption and costs
Open free calculator now →| Heating | Cost per kWh Heat | Annual Costs (150 m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Gas heating | €0.12 | €2,160 |
| Air-water HP | €0.086 | €1,543 |
| Ground-source HP | €0.069 | €1,242 |
Result: Even a normal air-water heat pump saves you over €600 per year compared to gas. With a ground-source heat pump or your own solar system, it becomes even more noticeable.
Aim for high JAZ, Choose a modern heat pump with JAZ ≥ 4.0 (also brings you the 20% efficiency bonus).
Combine with PV system, With your own solar power, the effective electricity price often drops below €0.15/kWh. Then the heat pump becomes a real bargain.
Insulate the house a bit, Even small measures lower the heat demand and automatically the electricity consumption.
The annual performance factor decides not only your funding, but directly your electricity bill. Using the example house from the formula above, 18,000 kWh of heat demand per year: with a JAZ of 3.0 the heat pump needs 6,000 kWh of electricity, with a JAZ of 4.5 only 4,000 kWh. At 0.30 EUR per kWh, that is 1,800 EUR in one case and 1,200 EUR in the other.
The 600 EUR difference per year adds up to a five-figure sum over a service life of 15 to 20 years. That is why it pays to look at the JAZ when comparing models, not just at the purchase price. A few hundred euros more in upfront cost is quickly recovered through the efficiency class, and the 20% efficiency bonus from KfW 270 is on top.
❓ How high is the electricity consumption of a heat pump really?
For a 150 m² house, usually between 4,500 and 6,000 kWh per year, so comparable to a normal household without heat pump.
❓ Is a heat pump more expensive in electricity than gas heating?
No. Due to the high JAZ, the delivered heat only costs €0.069–0.086/kWh, significantly cheaper than gas at €0.12/kWh.
❓ Do I need a minimum JAZ for KfW funding?
Yes, at least 3.0. Those who achieve 4.0 or more also get the 20% efficiency bonus, that pays off doubly.
❓ How exactly can I calculate my own consumption?
Easiest with our free calculator. You just enter the size of your house, the heat demand, and the planned JAZ, and instantly get electricity consumption, costs, and amortization.