How many m2 can be heated with an 8 kW heat pump?

The 8kW heat pump is among the most popular for middle-aged, well-insulated villas. If you've already requested heat pump quotes, you've probably received offers for 8kW heat pumps.

But how much surface area can an 8kW heat pump heat? On average, an 8kW heat pump can heat 80m2. But this answer varies according to the climate, the insulation of the house and your comfort habits.

Calculate the volume and surface area that an 8 kW heat pump can heat up to.

Before commenting on this calculation, we need to briefly review the approximate reference values for heating requirements in France and neighboring countries with similar climates.

	Thermal sieve	Standard insulation	Excellent insulation (RT 2012)
Mild climate (oceanic, Mediterranean)	40 W / m3	35 W / m3	25 W / m3
Temperate climate (gradated, semi-continental)	50 W / m3	40 W / m3	30 W / m3
Cold climate (mountains)	60 W / m3	50 W / m3	40 W / m3

So, considering the 2.50m ceiling height that is standard in France, if our house is correctly insulated and located in a temperate climate, it requires 40W/m3.

So all we have to do is divide the power of 8kW = 8000W by 40 and then by 2.5 to obtain the heatable surface area.

This gives us 8000/2.5*40 = 80m2

What surface area can the 8kW heat pump heat if my house is very well insulated and in the South of France (mild climate)?

In this case, the 8kW heat pump can heat an area of 8000/2.5*25, i.e. 128m2. This is 60% more than for the standard case of an insulated house in a temperate climate.

What surface area can the 8000W heat pump heat if the house is poorly insulated or not insulated at all and in a cold climate?

Of course, the situation is extreme and theoretical! But it's very real, as the following reminds us This article is based on a study of thermal flats in ski resorts.. Mouthe, the coldest town in France, has almost a third of its housing stock in thermal flaws! In Metabief, a ski resort not far from Switzerland, more than half of all homes are "thermal flats".

The 8000W heat pump can heat an area of 8000/60*2.5, i.e. 53m2. Houses of this size are hard to find. In such conditions, you'd need a 16 kW heat pump to heat just over 100 m2.

But the important thing to remember here is that it's best to insulate the entire building before investing in an environmentally-friendly heating system. This is part of an overall renovation approach, which is heavily subsidized by energy renovation grants, as stated by our article on MaPrimeRenov 2024.

Which 8kW heat pump is right for you?

If you haven't yet browsed our selection of the 20 best air-to-water heat pump brands of the yearTake a look. And if you don't have the time, here are 3 models to consider for an 8kW heat pump.

NIBE S2125-12 heat pump

Not very widespread in France, but more common in Switzerland, this heat pump is capable of delivering just over 8 kW at -7°C outside for underfloor heating or radiators.

It operates down to -25°C and offers a water outlet temperature of 65°C in these conditions, but can be raised up to 75°C.

Its great advantage is above-average acoustics, since NIBE claims a sound power level of 49dBA for this model.

For around €7,000 for the outdoor module, and €5,000 for the indoor hydraulic module, you can expect an overall installation to cost between €18,000 and €20,000.

The Vaillant aroTHERM Split heat pump VWL
105/5 AS 230V

The Vaillant PAC offers a heating capacity of 10.2kW A-7/W35 with a seasonal COP of 4.6, i.e. an average COP over the year of 4.6. This means you'll divide your bill by 4.6 on average over the year, if everything is well orchestrated.

With a sound pressure level of 39dBA at 5m, it's very quiet, so you can install it even if you live in a residential area (with annoying neighbors).

Daikin Altherma 3M Monobloc 9kW

Running on R32 This modern heat pump from Daikin is capable of delivering hot water up to 55°C. It operates down to -25°C, and also has a 3 kW back-up.

Remember that this is a Monobloc heat pump, which means that all the refrigeration components are located in the outdoor unit. The advantage is that noise is confined to the outside. Only the hydraulic network connection accessories are located inside the technical room.

By opting for this heat pump, you are choosing one of the most recognized brands in the industry, which despite the inevitable negative reviews from disappointed consumers, impresses with its quality and efforts to adapt to the individual ecological heating market. Often ahead of its time, Daikin offers sophisticated products that are often silent and highly efficient.

Daikin will soon be releasing the 4th evolution of its famous Altherma.

Whatever you decide, really ask for 3 or 4 quotes to compare and make sure your installer is serious. It's important for your future well-being, your savings, and your grant application.