The cold months are approaching and furnaces and heat pumps will have to work harder to keep your home warm. Heat pumps take energy from the outside air, which is easier when it’s 10 degrees than when it’s -1 degree. How much more does it cost to run a heat pump when it’s freezing? Find out in this blog.
Heat pump performance
The efficiency of a heat pump is measured by something called COP (Coefficient of Performance). Basically, this tells us how much energy the pump uses to produce heat. If a pump uses 1 kWh of electricity and produces 5 kWh of heat, it has a COP of 5. Typically, heat pumps have a COP of between 3 and 5, depending on the temperature. The SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient) is the average COP throughout the year and gives us a better idea of its overall performance.
When does a heat pump work best?
An air-to-water heat pump takes energy from the outside air and uses electricity to heat your home. It works best in well-insulated homes with underfloor heating or low-temperature radiators. Performance decreases when it gets colder, especially below 2 degrees. Ideal conditions are between 2 and 16 degrees.
Can a heat pump work well in freezing weather?
Even at temperatures as low as -20 degrees, there is still enough energy in the air for the pump to operate. However, its performance will be lower because it has to work harder.
How much does a hybrid heat pump consume in winter?
If you need 12,000 kWh of energy per year (approximately 1,200 m³ of gas) and the price of electricity is €0.27/kWh (October 2024), consumption will vary according to the size of your house and the quality of the insulation.
| Outside temperature (°C) | COP | Average energy consumption (kWh/day) | Energy costs (€/day) |
| -15 | 1.90 | 17.30 | € 4.67 |
| -10 | 2.20 | 14.90 | € 4.02 |
| -5 | 2.51 | 13.09 | € 3.53 |
| 0 | 3.10 | 10.60 | € 2.86 |
| 2 | 3.34 | 9.84 | € 2.66 |
| 5 | 4.00 | 8.22 | € 2.22 |
| 7 | 4.50 | 7.31 | € 1.97 |
| 10 | 4.60 | 7.15 | € 1.93 |
| 15 | 4.80 | 6.85 | € 1.85 |
A hybrid heat pump consumes on average between 2,000 and 3,200 kWh per year, which is equivalent to a daily consumption of 5 to 8 kWh. These values may change depending on the type of heat pump and your specific situation. For this calculation, the COP of a 4 kW Remeha Elga Ace hybrid heat pump was considered. Only the consumption of the heat pump is considered here, not including the consumption of the boiler.
To calculate the annual electricity consumption of a heat pump, divide the total energy required (kWh) by the COP of the pump. For a hybrid heat pump with a COP of 4, it is calculated as follows:
- Energy required: 12,000 kWh
- COP: 4
- Electricity consumption: 12,000 / 4 = 3,000 kWh
So, the hybrid heat pump consumes 3,000 kWh per year, which is equivalent to a daily consumption of 3,000 / 365 = 8.22 kWh.
Additional costs in winter
As temperatures drop, the COP decreases and costs go up. At an outside temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, costs are about €1.93 per day. At -5 degrees, they add about €1.60, bringing daily costs to €3.53. The actual consumption of a hybrid heat pump depends on factors such as the energy requirement, the size of the house and the quality of the insulation.
In the Netherlands there are about 50 frost days per year, of which only six days the temperature does not exceed freezing point. This means that the heat pump rarely operates at full capacity.
Winter operation of a hybrid heat pump
The table below shows a summary of the consumption of a hybrid heat pump during the winter months. In practice, the consumption will be different since at an outdoor temperature of 4 degrees or less, the boiler will automatically turn on. This will cause the heat pump to work less during cold days, resulting in lower energy consumption compared to an all-electric air-to-water heat pump.
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Investing in a heat pump
Investing in a heat pump is a smart decision. Although a heat pump consumes more electricity, the significant savings in gas consumption result in higher profits. According to a CE Delft study commissioned by Essent, gas prices will increase significantly by 2030. In unfavorable scenarios, the gas bill for an average household could increase by €400 by 2023. Given the expected increase in gas prices, it is crucial that households minimize their gas consumption. Buying a hybrid heat pump is an important step in this direction.
