0,00  0

Ostoskori

No products in the cart.

Takaisin kauppaan

Heat pump as a heating solution for a property: A comprehensive guide to different technologies and their selection

Why is a heat pump a superior heating solution?

The transformation of the energy market, rising costs and stricter emission requirements have driven property owners – companies, housing associations and households – to seek strategic and sustainable solutions for heating. Heat pump technology has become a key player in this development, offering a technically mature and economically very profitable alternative to traditional heating methods. Heat pump transfers heat from the environment to the interior – resulting in major savings, a smaller carbon footprint, cooling in the summer and better price certainty.

The purpose of this guide is to provide an in-depth and unbiased overview of modern heat pump solutions. We will not only present the different technologies, but also analyze their suitability for different property types and uses. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed investment decision for the future of your property.

Expert perspective: The technical content of this guide is written by Mika Wettenhovi, Renewe's Chief Energy Officer. He has designed and supervised thousands of demanding heat pump systems for both industrial and residential properties for over 25 years.

Strategic perspective: Why invest in a heat pump?

The operating principle of a heat pump is fundamentally more efficient than that of traditional systems. Instead of generating heat through combustion or electrical resistance, it transfer existing thermal energy from the environment (earth, air, water) for use in the building. This process is significantly more energy efficient, which is directly reflected in three key areas:

  • Financial return: A heat pump typically produces 3–5 units of thermal energy for every unit of electricity it consumes (efficiency/SCOP 3–5). This results in significant savings of up to 40–80 % in annual heating costs, ensuring a competitive return on investment (ROI).
  • Property value development: A modern and energy-efficient heating system is a significant factor in increasing the value and attractiveness of a property in both the sales and rental markets.
  • Risk management and responsibility: The investment reduces dependence on fluctuations in the price of fossil fuels and electricity. At the same time, it is a concrete measure to reduce the property's carbon footprint and take environmental responsibility.

Heat pump technologies in comparison: The right solution for the right application

Correct system sizing and technology selection are the cornerstones of a successful project, and this is where expertise comes into play.

Ground source heat pump (MLP): Maximum efficiency and stability

Ground source heat pump utilizes the thermal energy stored in the ground, which is constant throughout the year. Geothermal energy is collected from a drilled energy well or a surface-mounted collection circuit.

  • Eligibility:
    • Companies: New and renovated commercial, office and production properties with high and constant energy demand. Excellent solution for heating large spaces, for example.
    • Housing companies: The preferred choice for apartment and townhouse companies in oil or district heating renovations. Enables stable and predictable heating costs.
    • Consumers: New buildings and detached houses with water-based heat distribution and the goal is to keep operating costs as low as possible.
  • Key benefits: The highest and most consistent coefficient of performance (COP) of all heat pumps, lowest life cycle costs, very long service life and reliability.
  • Please note: Requires land space and drilling with permits, which makes the initial investment higher than other technologies.

Air-to-water heat pump (VILP): Flexible and efficient modernizer

Air-to-water heat pump takes energy from the outside air and transfers it to the property's water-circulating heating system (radiators/floor heating) and to the domestic water.

  • Eligibility:
    • B2B & Housing Companies: Excellent for renovation projects where drilling a geothermal well is impossible or economically unprofitable. Well suited for example for terraced houses and small apartment buildings.
    • B2C: The most common solution for replacing old oil or electric heating systems in existing detached houses.
  • Key benefits: Significantly lighter initial investment than geothermal heating, quick installation without earthmoving work.
  • Please note: The efficiency depends on the outdoor temperature and decreases in the coldest temperatures, when the system uses an electric heater as support.

Air source heat pump (ILP): Targeted support and cooling solution

Air source heat pump transfers energy between the outside air and the inside air. It is not the main heating system of the property, but a support system.

  • Eligibility:
    • B2B: For cutting heating costs and especially cooling in offices, stores and small production facilities, which improves working comfort and efficiency.
    • Housing companies: A home-specific solution to increase living comfort and reduce the resident's own heating energy consumption.
    • B2C: Directly heated detached houses and holiday homes, where it significantly reduces the need for purchased electricity. An essential comfort device in the summer heat.
  • Key benefits: The most affordable purchase price, quick installation, provides efficient cooling.
  • Please note: Not suitable as the sole heat source for a property and does not heat domestic water.

Exhaust air heat pump (PILP/LTO): Optimizing energy efficiency

Exhaust air heat pump recovers heat from the property's exhaust air and uses it to heat the supply air or domestic water.

  • Eligibility: New and energy-efficient properties (B2B/B2C) with mechanical ventilation systems and heat and power systems for larger corporate and housing projects.
  • Key benefits: Further improve the property's energy balance by utilizing waste energy.
  • Please note: Committed to mechanical ventilation, does not function as an independent main heating system in large projects.

Heat pumps in professional use: Special requirements for large properties and industry

In large buildings and industrial processes, the potential of heat pump technology is enormous. In this case, we are talking about significantly more efficient industrial heat pumps and hybrid systems that can be integrated into existing building services.

Key application areas include:

  • Utilization of waste heat LTO: Condensed heat generated from industrial processes, data centers or industrial kitchens can be collected and utilized for heating a property or even a district heating network.
  • Simultaneous heating and cooling: The systems can simultaneously produce heat for heating a property and cold for process cooling, for example, which increases the overall efficiency to a very high level.
  • High temperature applications: Modern industrial heat pumps are capable of producing water at temperatures of up to 90 °C, which allows them to be used also in old radiator networks or industrial processes that require high supply water temperatures.

Companies and housing companies – what to consider?

In large properties (housing companies, retail, logistics, production), heat pumps enable the combination of heating, cooling and waste heat recovery. At Renewe, we design complete systems: heat sources, storage tanks, cooling, controls and metering, so that savings become real (including SCOP/coefficient of performance).

Investment life cycle: Planning, profitability and forms of support

A successful heat pump project is more than just a hardware purchase. It is a process that requires careful planning and life cycle thinking.

In profitability calculations In addition to the initial investment, future savings in energy costs, maintenance costs and possible forms of government support must be taken into account. An expert partner will always prepare a reliable, site-specific profitability analysis.

Key grants available in 2025 include:

  • Household deduction: Private individuals can take advantage of the household deduction -35% granted by the tax administration for the installation work, tax.fi.
  • Varke energy subsidy: Support for housing companies for projects that improve energy efficiency. For more information, visit the Housing Finance and Development Centre website, varke.fi.
  • ELY Centre grant: €4,000 support for single-family home owners to give up oil or gas heating, ely.fi.

The four main types of heat pumps – which one is right for your property?

Air source heat pump (ILP): the easiest way to start saving

To whom? Direct-electric houses, townhouses, cottages, offices.
Pros: Affordable, quick installation, effective cooling included.
Attention: Does not heat domestic water; best used alongside another heat source.

Air-to-water heat pump (VILP): for water-based heating

To whom? As a replacement for oil/gas/electric storage heaters, radiators or underfloor heating.
Pros: Heats the entire property and, if necessary, hot water; no drilling required.
Attention: In extreme cold, an electric heater can help – sized correctly.

Ground source heat pump (MLP): the most stable and efficient

To whom? New + larger renovations, housing companies, large properties.
Pros: Low operating costs, steady yield all year round.
Attention: Requires energy well or the largest initial investment in the district.

Extract air heat pump (PILP): intelligent heat recovery

To whom? New, airtight properties with mechanical ventilation.
Pros: Combines ventilation and heat recovery, small space requirement.
Attention: Best for sites where LTO infrastructure is natural.

The repayment is typically 4–8 years, when the dimensioning, usage profile and electricity price are taken into account. The system life cycle is 15–25 years – savings accumulate over a long period of time.

How to identify a professional heat pump partner?

There are many players on the market. Choosing the right partner is critical for the smooth operation and life cycle of the system, and special attention should also be paid to after-sales service. Also pay attention to the following:

  • System design: Make sure the supplier provides thorough sizing and planning and does not just sell a component or device.
  • Certifications: Make sure that the company and installers have the necessary refrigeration and electrical permits (Tukes) tukes.fiIt is also worth paying attention to liability insurance and subscriber liability registers.
  • Comprehensive service: The best operators offer a turnkey project, from design to installation, commissioning and maintenance services.

Find out which heat pump is right for your property?

Every property is different. The size of the plot, the current heating system and existing technology, and the need will affect which solution is most profitable.

Purchasing a heat pump is a strategic decision that requires expert planning. Take the first step towards an energy-efficient future. Renewe's experts are ready to help you find the most cost-effective solution for your property's needs.

  • Is geothermal, air-to-water or a hybrid solution suitable for your property?
  • Accurate savings calculations compared to current heating
  • Possible subsidies and how to apply for them
  • A realistic repayment period just for you

Book a free survey: 010 660 3030 | info@renewe.fi | Fill out the form online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Renewe answers

Does an air-to-water heat pump require the old radiator network to be replaced? Not necessarily. Although heat pumps work most efficiently in low-temperature systems (e.g. underfloor heating), they can often be sized to work efficiently with an existing radiator network or fan coil units. A survey by a professional will provide a definitive answer to this.

How does a heat pump affect a company's cash flow and financing? A heat pump investment improves a company's cash flow in two ways. First, it turns unpredictable, inflation-increasing heating costs (OPEX) into a predictable capital cost. Second, energy savings start from the very first month. For many companies, the improvement in cash flow can be so significant that the monthly savings even cover the financing repayments in full. In addition, the heat pump is tax deductible with a residual depreciation of 25% per year, which improves the tax allocation of the investment. We always offer a detailed cash flow analysis as part of the planning.

How is the system's operational reliability ensured in severe frosts? All of our complete heating systems (MLP and VILP) are dimensioned and equipped with an appropriate electric resistance, which guarantees heating of the property and hot water supply in all conditions. Geothermal energy is practically almost independent of the outdoor temperature.

What is the technical service life of a heat pump? The compressor of a high-quality ground source heat pump typically has a service life of 20–25 years, and the heat well itself is practically eternal. The technical service life of air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps is approximately 15–20 years. Regular maintenance significantly extends the life of the equipment.

How does integrating a heat pump with solar power work? Heat pump and solar energy are an excellent combination. The free electricity produced by solar panels can cover a significant part of the heat pump and the property's other electricity consumption, maximizing energy self-sufficiency and savings.

Can a heat pump be integrated into an existing building system, such as automation and property management systems? Yes, you can, and modern heat pumps are designed specifically for this. Professional-grade heat pumps offer versatile interfaces (Modbus, BACnet, LON) for building automation. This enables centralized control, remote monitoring, alarm management and optimal adjustment of operating times based on, for example, the spot price of electricity. Integration can even improve the energy efficiency of the entire building when the heat pump communicates with other systems (ventilation, lighting, process equipment). During the design phase, we map the existing automation and ensure seamless integration.

Did you know? The energy produced by heat pumps in Finland is already an incredible 15 TWh/a annually! With this amount of energy, we could use a sauna about 1.5 billion times in total, which means that every Finn could use a sauna almost 300 times in one year.

Are you interested in renewable energy? Stay tuned, subscribe to the newsletter