Heat pump prices in Belgium: air-to-water and geothermal

An installed air-to-water heat pump usually costs between €8,000 and €15,000 in Belgium, a geothermal system between €15,000 and €25,000. Two quotes for the same house can still land at opposite ends of the bracket, because one includes a hot water tank and two new radiators and the other does not. Look at what each quote covers before comparing totals. And don't build your budget on the grants of the past: in Brussels and in Wallonia, the rules have changed.

Rates in 2026

• Air-to-water heat pump, installed: €8,000 to €15,000.
• Geothermal heat pump, installed: €15,000 to €25,000.

The air-to-water unit draws heat from the outside air to feed your central heating and, depending on the model, your domestic hot water. It is the most common choice in renovation, as it can be installed without major outdoor works.

Geothermal systems draw heat from the ground through a borehole or buried collectors. The borehole explains the price gap: it is a project in itself. In return, the heat source stays stable all year round, even in the depths of winter.

What makes the price vary

• The power required. It depends on the volume to heat and above all on the quality of the insulation. A well-insulated house needs a smaller machine, so a cheaper one.
• The existing emitters. A heat pump performs best with underfloor heating or low-temperature radiators. If your current radiators are undersized for that regime, replacing them adds to the budget.
• Domestic hot water. Integrated with a dedicated tank or handled separately: the choice weighs on the quote.
• Hydraulic complexity. Connecting to the existing circuit, removing the old boiler, adapting the utility room: every configuration is different.
• The plot, for geothermal. Soil type, access for the drilling rig, available space: all factors that position the borehole within the bracket.
• Brand and noise level. The quietest outdoor units and top-end ranges cost more, but acoustic comfort matters, for you and for your neighbours.

Worked examples

Three illustrative examples, built solely with the brackets above:

• Renovating a well-insulated house with an air-to-water unit: expect €8,000 to €15,000 installed, depending on the power and whether hot water is integrated.
• A geothermal project with a borehole: expect €15,000 to €25,000 installed, depending on the plot and configuration.
• Replacing a gas boiler with an air-to-water unit: removing the old boiler and any radiator changes often push the quote towards the top of the bracket. Ask for those items on separate lines.

VAT and aid in 2026

On VAT, a heat pump installed by a contractor in a private home over 10 years old qualifies for the reduced 6% rate instead of 21%, if the conditions are met. Watch out for hybrid systems, which pair the heat pump with a gas boiler: since 29 July 2025, the fossil part is invoiced at 21%, and for an overall price the tax authority accepts a flat split of 35% at 21% and 65% at 6%.

On aid, each region now follows its own logic:

• In Brussels, no Renolution grant can be claimed for work invoiced in 2025 or 2026, as the government has taken no decision. The preferential-rate Ecoreno loan remains an option. Our update on Brussels support sets out the conditions.
• In Wallonia, the Prime Habitation ended on 30 September 2026. Since 1 October, Rénopack (a zero-interest loan of which part is never repaid) and Rénoprêt finance a heat pump within a whole project, provided the home gains a PEB label and an audit is done. See our article on the end of the Prime Habitation.
• In Flanders, Mijn VerbouwPremie covers heat pumps, with amounts that vary with the applicant's profile. The simulator on the official portal gives the amount for your case.

Mistakes to avoid

• Installing without a sizing study. An oversized machine cycles on and off and wears out, an undersized one leans on the electric back-up. Demand a heat loss calculation, not a guess.
• Equipping a poorly insulated home. In a draughty house, even the best heat pump will consume too much. Insulate first, size second: the order of works matters.
• Comparing quotes with different scopes. Hot water tank, back-up, emitter adaptation, commissioning, maintenance: check that every line exists in both quotes before comparing totals.
• Neglecting the outdoor unit's location. Noise perceived next door, distance from windows, local planning rules: a badly chosen spot is paid for in disputes or costly relocations.
• Forgetting maintenance. Like a boiler, a heat pump needs servicing. Clarify from the quote stage what the installer covers after commissioning.

FAQ

Does a heat pump suit an existing house?

Yes, provided the insulation keeps up and the emitters are compatible with a low-temperature regime. Air-to-water is the most common choice in renovation. If your home is poorly insulated, treat the envelope first, then size the machine for the improved house.

Which aid applies in your region?

In Brussels, there is no Renolution grant for work invoiced in 2025 or 2026; the Ecoreno loan remains available under conditions. In Wallonia, Rénopack and Rénoprêt replaced the grants on 1 October 2026. In Flanders, go through Mijn VerbouwPremie, where amounts depend on your profile.

Which VAT rate applies to a heat pump?

The reduced 6% rate applies if the installation is supplied and invoiced by a contractor in a private home over 10 years old. In other cases, notably new builds, the rate is 21%. For a hybrid system, the part running on gas or oil is at 21%.

Compare quotes before you sign

Between the power required, the state of your emitters and the aid in your region, only a detailed quote can place your project within the bracket. Post your project on Batizzy and compare quotes from installers in your area side by side: find a heat pump installer. If you are still weighing up the technology, read our comparison of heat pumps versus condensing boilers, and to pay the right rate, our guide to 6% VAT in Belgium.