Germany offers various subsidies for energy-efficient home improvements. Here's how to claim them.

KfW subsidy

Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) is a German state-owned development bank that offers various financial incentives and subsidies to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, including heat pumps. KfW has a few different programs for providing funding for energy-efficient renovations, including the installation of heat pumps. They generally offer low-interest loans and grants, where the specific amount of financial aid depends on how energy efficient the home is/will be. 

When you undertake a renovation to enhance your home's energy efficiency, it includes financial support of up to 67,500 euros where the maximum funding rate is 45%. For newly constructed buildings, the KfW 261 program offers the opportunity to secure a loan of up to 150,000 euros, complemented by funding of up to 7,500 euros. To qualify for this you have to attain the Efficiency House Standard EH 40 with the "Sustainable Building Quality Seal" (QNG). 

Requirements for the KfW subsidy

Applicants must:

• Be homeowners, landlords, or tenants responsible for their properties' heating costs
• Have an annual income lower than €50,000
• Be able to demonstrate that they have taken measures to ensure maximum energy efficiency in the property
• Be able to show that the installation of the heat pump will result in long-term energy savings

The heat pump must:

• Have a minimum capacity of 2.5 kW
• Be installed on a residential property in Germany
• Be used to heat the property
• Be an air-to-water heat pump or a ground-source heat pump

Application

To apply for the subsidy, applicants typically needed to follow a specific application process outlined by KfW. This process includes submitting documentation related to the heat pump installation and compliance with the program requirements.

German Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG)

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle or BAFA) in Germany offers subsidy programs to promote the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps. These subsidies are intended to encourage homeowners and businesses to invest in more sustainable heating and cooling solutions. 

When installing a heat pump, you are guaranteed direct funding from BAFA, which amounts to a minimum of 25% of the expenses, at a maximum of 60,000 euros. BAFA also offers a “heating exchange bonus” for those who replace inefficient heating systems that are reliant on fossil fuels. As of August 2022 the funding rate for heat pumps is 25%, the heating exchange bonus is 10%, the heat pump bonus is 5% and the maximum funding rate is 40%.

Requirements for the heat pump bonus:

• The heat pump uses ground or wastewater as a heat source
• The heat pump uses a natural refrigerant 

Requirements for the heating exchange bonus:

• It replaces functional oil, coal and night storage heaters
• It replaces functioning gas heaters that were put into operation at least 20 years ago at the time of application
• After the replacement, the building may no longer be heated with fossil fuels

Application

There is a 5 step application process, all the steps are listed at the BAFA website. You will need to fill out an application form, which will include submitting documentation related to the heat pump installation, technical specifications, and compliance with program requirements.

The Netherlands offers various subsidies for energy-efficient home improvements. Here's how to claim them.

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency, often referred to as the "Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland" (RVO) in Dutch, is a government agency responsible for implementing various subsidy and incentive programs in the Netherlands. These programs cover a wide range of sectors and initiatives, including renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, agriculture, and more. 

The Netherlands offers subsidies for retrofit installations. You will receive a minimum of €500 subsidy for a heat pump, depending on the type of heat pump you choose. For a hybrid heat pump you can receive €3,000, for an air-source heat pump €3,750 and for a ground-source heat pump you can receive up to €5,100. 

Conditions to receive the subsidy

The heat pump must:

• Be a heat pump for space heating or tap water heating.
• Be a new product, not a second-hand or used product.
• Have a maximum thermal capacity of 400 kW. A combined maximum thermal power of 500 kW applies to switched installations.
• Be installed by a construction installation company. 
• Be installed in a home built before January 1, 2019. Or you can demonstrate that the environmental permit for the structure was applied for before July 1, 2018.

The applicant must:

• Submit the subsidy application after the installation of the heat pump.
• Be in possession of an invoice and proof of payment for the purchase and installation of your heat pump.
• Apply for the subsidy within 24 months after the installation of the heat pump.

Here is a list of the heat pumps that are eligible for the subsidy, if your heat pump is not on the list you can still apply for the subsidy. If the heat pump is not on the list include the product description and technical documentation of the heat pump in your subsidy application.

Application

You can apply for this subsidy at the rvo.nl website. They have a step-by-step plan that explains how to apply for their subsidies. 

Belgium offers various subsidies for energy-efficient home improvements. Here's how to claim them.

Subsidies in Belgium

In Belgium, subsidies are exclusively offered for retrofitted installations, and the grant amounts exhibit significant variations within different regions of the country, as well as across various heat pump technologies.

Flanders: My Renovation Premium for heat pumps

The subsidy program aimed to promote the use of energy-efficient heat pump systems for heating and cooling in residential properties. Heat pumps are considered a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating methods.

The subsidy amount varies depending on the type of heat pump:

Air to air - €300 - 480

Air to water - €3,000 – 4,800

Ground-source - €4,000 – 6,400

Hybrid - €2,000 – 3,200

Sanitary hot water - €300 – 540 

What amount you are eligible for depends on the nature of the building and who applies for the grant. 

Requirements for the heat pump

Types of heat pump eligible for the grant:

• Geothermal 
• Air to air
• Air to water
• Hybrid air to water

The heat pump must be used for space heating and possibly in combination with the production of sanitary hot water and swimming pool heating. You can use the heat pump for active cooling if the following 3 conditions are met :

• The heat pump is the only central heating for the entire building.
• There is a photovoltaic installation in the building.
• The final invoice of the heat pump dates from July 1, 2022 or later

The installation must be made by an approved installer. Here's  a list of certified installers for heat pumps and here's certified installers for shallow geothermal systems.   

The heat pump must meet the minimum seasonal energy efficiency. The seasonal energy efficiency (Ns) is calculated as COP/2.5, where COP is the coefficient of performance. 

Type:
- Heat pump with a capacity ≤ 12 kW
- 12 kW < Capacity ≤ 70 kW
- Capacity > 70 kW

Geothermal:
- 150% ≤ Ns (for all capacities)

Air to air:
- 160% ≤ Ns (capacity ≤ 12 kW)
- 137% ≤ Ns (12 kW < capacity ≤ 70 kW)
- 137% ≤ Ns (capacity > 70 kW)

Air to water:
- 123% ≤ Ns (for all capacities)

Hybrid:
- 110% ≤ Ns (for all capacities)

Conditions for the building

Buildings eligible for the subsidy must:

• Be connected to the the electricity distribution network before 2014
• Located in the Flemish region
• Be a renovation of an existing building such as a home or apartment

More information and additional conditions for the grants can be found here Vaanderen.

Application 

You can apply for the subsidy digitally via this link. 

Brussels: RENOLUTION Bonuses

In Brussels, there are various initiatives and programs related to energy efficiency, home renovations, and sustainable living. These programs often provide financial incentives, grants, or bonuses to homeowners and property owners who undertake energy-efficient renovations or improvements to their homes. These initiatives aim to promote sustainability, reduce energy consumption, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Since January 1, 2022, the renolution bonuses have become the new regional subsidy program that merges the energy bonuses and the bonuses for housing renovation and façade embellishment in the Brussels-Capital Region.

The subsidy amount varies depending on the type of heat pump. The grants available for installation of heat pumps are:

Air to water - €4,250 – 4,750

Ground-source - €4,250 – 4,750

Sanitary hot water - €400 – 1,600

Requirements

Renolution Bonuses are available for all types of buildings, including single-family homes, apartment buildings, offices, shops, schools, and industries. They are accessible to various applicant profiles, including owner-occupiers, landlords, tenants, property managers, and building administrators. The conditions for the installation of heat pumps is that it must be done by professional installers and be installed in a building older than 10 years.

Application

All subsidy applications must now be made after the completion of the renovation works, within 12 months from the date of the final invoice. All subsidy applications are now made through IRISbox, the electronic platform of the Brussels-Capital Region, find more information here.  

France offers various subsidies for energy-efficient home improvements. Here's how to claim them.

Coup de Pouce Chauffage and MaPrimeRenov

This subsidy is aimed at stimulating the economy, enhancing the overall energy efficiency of housing, and encouraging individuals to adopt energy-saving measures. The grant amount you receive is determined by your household income.

Subsidy amounts available for heat pumps:

Air to water -  up to €9,000

Ground source - up to €15,000.

Hybrid - up to €9,000.

Sanitary water - up to €1,200.

The amount is determined by the household income, but it also varies depending on other factors. Here's a simulator which helps to calculate which grants you are eligible for.

Requirements

The simulator available on the France Rénov’ website helps you know which subsidies you are eligible for. The eligibility depends on these factors:

• Your last Avis d’impôts
• Which year your house was constructed
• The size of your home in square meters
• The number of fiscal parts on your Avis
• The total amount paid for any work you’ve had done in the last 5 years

Application

You apply for this grant on the France Rénov' website.

Poland offers various subsidies for energy-efficient home improvements. Here's how to claim them.

Czyste Powietrze

There’s 3 levels of the program for Beneficiaries. Level 1 is entitled to basic funding, level 2 is entitled to increased funding and level 3 is entitled to the highest level of funding. Which level you are eligible for depends on your income. 

Level 1

Subsidy amount varies from PLN 25,000 to PLN 60,000

Level 2

Subsidy amount varies from PLN 32,000 to PLN 90,000

Level 3

Subsidy amount varies from PLN 50,000 to PLN 120,000

The subsidy amount in each level depends on the efficiency of the new heating system.

Requirements for level 1

• The applicant is an owner/co-owner of a residential building
• The applicant has a separate land and mortgage register
• The applicant annual income does not exceed PLN 135,000

Requirements for level 2

• The applicant is an owner/co-owner of a residential building
• The applicant has a separate land and mortgage register
• The average monthly income per one member of the household does not exceed the amount of PLN 1,894 in a multi-person household and PLN 2,651 in a single-person household

Requirements for level 3

• The applicant is an owner/co-owner of a residential building
• The applicant has a separate land and mortgage register
• The average monthly income per one member of the household does not exceed the amount of PLN 1,090 in a multi-person household and PLN 1,526 in a single-person household

Application 

Moje Ciepło priority program

What is included?

This program co-founds investments involving the purchase and installation of new heat pumps (air and ground) used for heating or heating and hot water in new single-family residential buildings.

The subsidy includes purchase and installation of:

• Ground heat pumps (ground/water, water/water heat pumps) with accessories
• Air/air heat pump with accessories
• Air/water heat pump with accessories
• Accumulation/buffer tank
• Domestic hot water tank with accessories.

Subsidy Amount:

Type of Heat Assistance:

Ground Source Heat Pump

- Maximum percentage share of eligible costs (%): 30
- Percentage share in eligible costs for individuals who have a large family card (%): 45
- Maximum amount (PLN): 21,000

Type of Heat Assistance:

Air (Air to air heat pump)

- Maximum percentage share of eligible costs (%): 30
- Percentage share in eligible costs for individuals who have a large family card (%): 45
- Maximum amount (PLN): 7,000

Type of Heat Assistance:

Air (Air to water heat pump)

- Maximum percentage share of eligible costs (%): 30
- Percentage share in eligible costs for individuals who have a large family card (%): 45
- Maximum amount (PLN): 7,000

Requirements 

The applicant must be

• An individual, not business 
• An owner or co-owner of a new single-family residential building
• Indicated in the building permit or notification of the construction of a single-family residential building
• Indicated as the purchaser/recipient on the invoice or an equivalent accounting document

Application

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis from April 29, 2022 to December 31, 2026 or until the dedicated pool of funds is exhausted. You can find information on how to apply and what to include in your application on Moje Ciepło priority program website.