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Up to 70% Grants Keep Heat Pump Swaps Attractive in 2026 Under Germany’s BEG

Consumer advisers say careful planning for efficiency, PV use, permits and metering determines real savings.

Overview

  • Under the current BEG scheme, homeowners can combine a 30% base grant with a 20% speed bonus through 2028 and a 30% income bonus, with funding calculated only on up to €30,000 in eligible investment costs.
  • Advisers point to low supply temperatures below roughly 55°C, solid insulation and generous heating surfaces as prerequisites for good performance, with a Jahresarbeitszahl of 3 considered efficient and higher values preferred.
  • Choice of heat source affects efficiency, as groundwater and ground-source systems typically outperform air-source units in real-world operation.
  • Pairing a heat pump with rooftop solar can significantly cut running costs, with an example 8 kWp system producing about 8,000 kWh per year and an energy management system recommended given winter generation shortfalls.
  • Groundwater or ground-source installations may require permits from local water authorities, and all systems must be registered with the local grid operator, typically with a dedicated meter for consumption tracking and access to special tariffs; there is currently no legal requirement to replace fossil boilers, though policy changes are being discussed.