Heat pump prices in Belgium: air-to-water, air-to-air, ground source

Heat pump prices in Belgium can vary fivefold depending on the technology: a few thousand euros for an air-to-air system, often between €8,000 and €18,000 for an air-to-water heat pump, and a great deal more for a ground source installation with borehole drilling. These differences are not just down to the equipment: the output required, the condition of the house and the associated work weigh just as heavily on the bill.

This guide gives indicative ranges including VAT for 2026, explains what pushes a quote up or down and sets out the position on VAT and grants in Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders. The aim: to meet an installer knowing which questions to ask and what budget to plan for.

The three main types of heat pump

A heat pump captures heat from the outside air, the ground or water and releases it inside the home. For every 1 kWh of electricity it uses, it generally delivers 3 to 4 kWh of heat over the year, sometimes more. There are three main types:

• air-to-water heat pumps: they draw heat from the outside air and transfer it to the central heating circuit (radiators or underfloor heating), and often to the domestic hot water as well. This is the most common way to replace a boiler;
• air-to-air heat pumps: they blow warm air (or cool air in summer) through indoor wall units. They do not produce domestic hot water;
• ground source heat pumps (brine-to-water or water-to-water): they extract heat from the ground via vertical boreholes or a horizontal loop. Highly efficient and stable, but the most expensive to install.

Heat pump prices in 2026: the ranges

Here are orders of magnitude for a detached or terraced family house, installation included. These are ranges seen on the Belgian market, not guaranteed prices.

The final amount depends heavily on the site. Two houses of the same size can receive very different quotes simply because one is well insulated and the other is not.

What makes a heat pump's price vary

Several factors explain the differences between quotes:

• the output required: it follows from the home's heat loss. A well-insulated house needs a smaller unit, which is cheaper to buy and to run. A good installer calculates heat loss room by room rather than simply copying the old boiler's output;
• the heat emitters: underfloor heating or oversized radiators allow the system to run at low temperature. With small, old radiators, some may need replacing;
• domestic hot water: an integrated or separate cylinder adds several thousand euros;
• the outdoor unit's location: distance, mounting, noise constraints with regard to neighbours, any local planning rules;
• removing the old system: taking out and disposing of a boiler or an oil tank;
• electrical work: the consumer unit, or even the grid connection, may need upgrading;
• for ground source, the type of soil, the drilling depth and any permits required.

If your house is old and poorly insulated, also read our article on installing a heat pump in an older house: the order in which you do the work changes the budget considerably.

Which heat pump for which home?

Air-to-water remains the most popular choice in renovation because it connects to the existing circuit. Air-to-air is cheaper but cannot on its own replace a boiler that also produces hot water. Ground source offers the best efficiency, especially in very cold weather, but its installation cost generally limits it to new builds or comprehensive renovations.

Running costs and return

The purchase price is not the whole story. What counts over time is the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP): the higher it is, the less electricity the heat pump uses for the same amount of heat. A well-sized air-to-water heat pump in a properly insulated house generally achieves an SCOP of 3 to 4.

The return compared with gas or heating oil therefore depends on:

• the home's insulation and the flow temperature required;
• the price of electricity compared with the fuel being replaced;
• whether you have solar panels, which cover part of the heat pump's consumption, especially in spring and autumn and for hot water;
• maintenance: a heat pump needs regular servicing, generally less demanding than an oil boiler;
• in Flanders, the capacity tariff: a heat pump raises your electricity demand, so a well-sized unit and sensible control (avoiding running it at full power at the same time as the car charger or the oven) help keep your monthly peak and network charges in check.

Be wary of return-on-investment promises calculated down to the last cent: they always rest on energy price assumptions that can change.

VAT and grants for a heat pump in 2026

VAT: from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2030, the supply and installation of a heat pump in a private home qualifies for the 6% rate, including in homes less than 10 years old. This covers air-to-water, air-to-air and ground source heat pumps as well as heat pump water heaters; hybrid heat pumps (combined with a boiler) are excluded. The installation must be invoiced by a professional to an end consumer. Details are available on the FPS Finance website and in our article on 6% VAT. As VAT is a federal matter, this applies in all three regions.

Regional grants:

• in Brussels, Renolution grants are suspended for work invoiced since 2025. Financing options remain, such as the ECORENO loan. See our guide to Renolution grants;
• in Wallonia, heat pumps fall under the Primes Habitation scheme, whose conditions are in transition (temporary scheme announced until 30 September 2026). Amounts depend on your income category: check the rules in force on the date of your invoice at energie.wallonie.be;
• in Flanders, heat pumps remain eligible for Mijn VerbouwPremie: air-to-water, hybrid, ground source and air-to-air heat pumps, as well as heat pump water heaters. Since 1 March 2026, amounts have been reduced for owner-occupiers in the higher income categories (1 and 2), and air-to-air heat pumps with active cooling only qualify if the heat pump is the home's only heating system and the home is completely fossil-fuel free; otherwise the cooling function must be permanently disabled. See the official Mijn VerbouwPremie page.

Because these rules change often, we do not give fixed amounts here. Our energy grants page summarises the current schemes, and an adviser can check your eligibility when they call you back.

How to get a fair price

To compare heat pump quotes, check that each one states:

1. the heat loss calculation and the output chosen;
2. the brand, model and refrigerant;
3. the planned flow temperature and any radiator replacements;
4. domestic hot water production and the cylinder size;
5. associated work: electrics, removal of the old boiler, base for the outdoor unit;
6. the warranty and maintenance terms.

RhinoEnergy helps you obtain up to 3 quotes from certified installers in your area, after a free call-back within 24 working hours to scope your project. Find out more on our heat pump page.

Frequently asked questions

What does an air-to-water heat pump cost in Belgium on average?

In general, budget between €8,000 and €18,000 including VAT and installation. The upper end corresponds to more powerful units with a domestic hot water cylinder and to sites that need adaptations (radiators, electrics).

Can an air-to-air heat pump replace a boiler?

It can heat a home effectively, especially a flat or a well-insulated house, but it does not produce domestic hot water. You therefore need another solution for hot water, such as a heat pump water heater.

Why does ground source cost more?

The drilling or groundwork needed to extract heat from the ground accounts for a large share of the budget. In return, efficiency is high and stable all year round, even in very cold weather.

What VAT rate applies to a heat pump in 2026?

From 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, the 6% rate applies to the supply and installation of a heat pump in a private home, whatever the age of the property. Hybrid heat pumps are excluded from this measure.

Are there still grants for a heat pump?

In Brussels, Renolution grants are suspended for invoices dated 2025 or 2026. In Wallonia, grants exist under the Primes Habitation scheme, but it is in transition. In Flanders, heat pumps remain eligible for Mijn VerbouwPremie, with amounts depending on your income category. Check the conditions in force when you receive your invoice.