Installing a heat pump – air-to-air, air-to-water or ground source?

Three common types of heat pump

A heat pump moves heat from the air, the bedrock or the ground into the house. Which type suits you depends on how the house is heated today, how big it is and where it is located.

• Air-to-air: an indoor unit blows warm air into the room. Relatively simple to install and can often cool in summer too. Works best in open-plan layouts and does not heat domestic hot water.
• Air-to-water: takes heat from the outdoor air and transfers it to the house's water-based heating system and hot water. Requires water-based heating, such as radiators or underfloor heating.
• Rock or ground source: draws heat from a borehole or a collector buried in the ground. A higher investment, but steady and efficient operation even when it is cold outside.

What affects the price?

The price varies a great deal between the types. Ask several companies for quotes and compare what is actually included.

• Type and size of heat pump relative to the house's heating demand.
• Borehole depth for rock source or collector length for ground source.
• Whether the existing heating system and consumer unit need adapting.
• Position of the outdoor unit, pipe routing and condensate drainage.
• Removal and disposal of the old boiler or heat pump.

Certification for refrigerants

Heat pumps contain refrigerants, and anyone installing or working on the refrigerant circuit must be certified to do so under the rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases. Ask to see the company's and the installer's certificates. This also applies to servicing and fault-finding. The electrical connection must also be made by a registered electrical installation company – sometimes the heat pump company has its own electrical authorisation, sometimes an electrician is brought in.

Rock source heating requires notifying the municipality

Drilling for rock source heating or laying a ground collector generally requires notifying the municipality, often its environmental department, and in some areas a permit is required. This may concern water protection areas or proximity to neighbours' wells. Contact the municipality well before drilling and make sure the company helps you with the notification.

Air-to-air and air-to-water heat pumps do not normally require notification, but the position of the outdoor unit can affect neighbours through noise. In some cases, for example in areas covered by a detailed development plan or on buildings of cultural-historical value, there may be restrictions. Contact the municipal building committee if you are unsure. If you live in a tenant-owned flat, the board's permission is almost always required.

ROT deduction

Installing a heat pump in an existing home you own qualifies for the ROT deduction of 30 % of the labour cost, including for example drilling. Heat pumps are not covered by the green technology tax reduction. ROT and RUT combined may not exceed SEK 75,000 per person per year, of which at most SEK 50,000 may be ROT. New builds do not normally qualify for ROT.

What the quote should include

• Make, model and output, and how the company has sized the pump.
• Borehole depth or collector length, and what happens if the borehole needs to be deeper.
• Electrical work, adaptation of the heating system and commissioning.
• Help with notifying the municipality for rock or ground source heating.
• Warranty on product and workmanship, and service agreement.
• Labour, materials and ROT deduction shown separately.

Questions to ask and common mistakes

• Does the installer hold valid refrigerant certification?
• How have you calculated the house's heating demand?
• Who does the electrical installation and is the company registered with the Swedish National Electrical Safety Board (Elsäkerhetsverket)?
• What liability insurance do you have?

Common mistakes include choosing a pump that is too small or too large, placing the outdoor unit near a bedroom window or a neighbour, missing the notification for rock source heating and comparing quotes that do not include the same work.

Also think about operation after installation. A heat pump needs regular attention, such as cleaning the filters on an air-to-air pump and checking that the outdoor unit is not snowed in or iced up. Ask the installer to go through the settings with you and keep the documentation. A pump that is poorly adjusted can use considerably more electricity than necessary, and a simple check after the first winter can be well worth it.

Getting quotes through Fixtorget

Describe your house, current heating and which type of heat pump you are considering when you post your request for free. Up to four vetted companies can get in touch. You can see whether the company is verified and whether its liability insurance has been reviewed, and you can ask to see the insurance documents in the chat.

Frequently asked questions