Getting a heat pump installation right: the essential checks before starting
Confirming compatibility with the home and the existing system (emitters, hydraulics, electrical)
Before any heat pump installation, check the existing emitters. Radiators, underfloor heating, fan coil units. Can they work at a lower temperature? On the hydraulic side, check the balancing, the water volume, the state of any sludge buildup, and plan for a filter and sludge trap if needed. On the electrical side, confirm the available power, the panel's protection devices, and clean cable routing.
Choosing the right technology and sizing without oversizing
Air-to-water, air-to-air, geothermal. The right choice depends on insulation, climate, domestic hot water needs, and usage patterns. Base the sizing on a heat-loss calculation and the local design outdoor temperature, not on the old boiler. Oversizing increases short cycling, noise, and can degrade performance.
Anticipating installation constraints: location, noise, accessibility, condensate drainage
Identify a location with clear airflow, a stable support, and maintenance access. Address perceived noise with anti-vibration mounts, distances, and orientation. Plan for condensate drainage, freezing risk, and protection of the refrigerant or hydraulic connections depending on the setup.
Heat pump installation step by step: a clean install that avoids breakdowns
Placing and fixing the outdoor unit: supports, vibrations, distances, and air circulation
A solid base does half the work. Set the unit on a stable support, on anti-vibration pads, with condensate drainage. Respect the manufacturer's clearances to avoid cold-air recirculation and efficiency losses. Also keep easy access for maintenance and anticipate noise nuisance for the neighborhood.
Refrigerant and hydraulic connections: airtightness, insulation, bleeding, and settings
In a heat pump installation, leaks often come from a small detail. Take care with the refrigerant connections (tightening torque, nitrogen pressure test, vacuum pull-down) and check airtightness before charging. On the hydraulic side, flush the network, fit a filter and sludge trap, insulate the pipes, bleed the air, and adjust the pressure.
Commissioning and configuration: water curve, balancing, flow rate, flow temperatures
Commissioning comes down to the settings. Calibrate the water curve, check the flow rate and balancing, then aim for a flow temperature that's accurate, not too high. Measure the delta T, validate the defrost cycles, and log the parameters. A well-tuned heat pump means a house that heats without jolts. To guide your equipment choice upstream, also check our guide to choosing between an air-to-air and an air-to-water heat pump.
Limiting after-sales callbacks after a heat pump installation: checkpoints and good habits
End-of-job checklist: tests, safety devices, readings, and photos for the file
At the end of a heat pump installation, lock in the commissioning with a short checklist. Test heating and domestic hot water, check the electrical safety devices (circuit breaker, RCD), the hydraulic bleeding and airtightness, then record pressures, flow rates, flow/return temperatures, and setpoints. Take 4 to 6 useful photos (outdoor unit, connections, protections, settings).
Explaining everyday use to the client: simple instructions and common mistakes
Give clear instructions. A stable setpoint is often more efficient than repeated on/off cycling. Show where to read the pressure, when to check the outdoor unit, and what's normal (defrost noise, steam). Remind them to avoid covering the vents and to report any fault code.
Planning servicing and maintenance: frequency, filters, backup heating, defrosting
Offer scheduled maintenance. Plan an annual visit with a parameter check, cleaning, and a condensate check. On the client's side, plan for filter cleaning depending on use, and a review of the electrical backup heater. In winter, keep the outdoor unit clear and the water drainage free.
Profitability of a heat pump installation in 2026: what really drives the savings
Comparing real costs: equipment, installation, consumption, electrical subscription
To judge a heat pump installation in 2026, start from the full cost. Equipment price, labor, hydraulic accessories, power flushing, and maintenance contract. Add the realistic annual consumption based on the SCOP and usage patterns, then the electrical subscription, sometimes needing an upgrade if the subscribed power is too low.
Optimizing performance: low temperatures, settings, insulation, and suitable emitters
A heat pump becomes profitable when it operates at a low flow temperature. Tune the water curve, limit on/off cycling, and prioritize insulation and airtightness. Suitable emitters, whether underfloor heating or properly sized radiators, keep good efficiency when it's cold.
Costing a credible return on investment: scenarios, assumptions, and pitfalls to avoid
A solid calculation rests on clear assumptions. Compare against the current system with the kWh price, local weather, and subsidies deducted, MaPrimeRénov' and CEE. Be wary of announced savings without consumption history, or that don't account for a poorly insulated home and electrical backup heating.
Securing your heat pump installation on compliance and subsidies: RGE, documents, and best practices
Rules and obligations to respect: location, noise nuisance, electrical safety
For a clean heat pump installation, choose a location that's ventilated, stable, and accessible. Limit vibrations with pads, plan for condensate drainage, and avoid close proximity to bedrooms and property boundaries. Also check the local rules (co-ownership, town hall, protected areas) and the regulations on noise emergence. On the electrical side: dedicated circuit, suitable RCD protection, grounding, and compliance with the manufacturer's instructions.
A solid job file: instructions, technical data sheets, certificates, and traceability
A job that holds up is a documented job. Archive the detailed quote and invoice, instructions, technical data sheets, references and serial numbers, before/after photos, and the commissioning report. Keep dated proof of the company's RGE certification at the time of the work and, if refrigerant is involved, traceability of the interventions.
2026 subsidies: MaPrimeRénov' and CEE points of attention to avoid rejections
In 2026, rejections often come down to an administrative detail. For MaPrimeRénov', submit the application before starting work, and make sure the power output, heat pump type, and performance figures match the file's documents. For CEE, sign the offer and the sworn statement within the correct timelines, with an RGE QualiPAC installer. Keep the same wording on the quote, the invoice, and the manufacturer's documents, otherwise the file stalls.
Frequently asked questions
For your client to access MaPrimeRénov' and CEE, the installation must be carried out by an RGE-certified company (QualiPAC) and, if handling refrigerant, you must hold the capacity certificate. Provide a detailed quote (brand, power output, SCOP, emitters, controls) and submit the subsidy applications before signature/order, depending on the scheme. Keep the commissioning report, serial number, and technical data sheets: these are the documents most often requested during an audit.
Louis Airy
COO of Argile
