High temperature heat pump (80° C) : PRICE, STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES

Is the oil-fired boiler that powers your central heating system starting to show signs of fatigue? Is it time for a replacement? Choose performance and savings by opting for a high-temperature heat pump. 

As its name suggests, this heating equipment provides a high level of heat for a controlled electrical consumption. Easy to install and eligible for several financial aids, especially in France, the high temperature heat pump is an option to be taken into account in your energy renovation work.

What is the best high temperature heat pump of the market? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a high temperature heat pump? What is the overall cost of an 80°C heat pump? Answer in this guide.

What is a high temperature heat pump?

Operating on the same principle as a conventional heat pump, the high-temperature heat pump has the ability to heat the water in the heating circuit to higher temperatures: in concrete terms, we are talking about temperatures ranging from 65° C to 80° C (the temperature corresponding to that of the majority of old heating systems), instead of 45° C. 

This type of device is therefore particularly suitable for regions with harsh winters, with a thermometer that can go down to -20° C. It is also ideal if you wish to heat your hot water via the heat pump. With the High Temperature Heat Pump, you can meet the standard and heat the water to over 65°C to eliminate the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire's disease, and ensure hot water for the whole family, even during the harshest of winters.

As long as you have a reversible high-temperature heat pump, you will also be able to enjoy cool air in the summer. So keep this in mind when choosing your high temperature heat pump, especially if your region has a large temperature differential.

Operating on the principle of air-to-water heat pumps, these heat pumps use the energy of the air to heat the home. To do this, they must be connected to a hydraulic central heating system, which makes them compatible with existing heating circuits supplied by a gas or oil boiler. 

When should I choose a high temperature heat pump?

Type of home, heating needs, existing heating system... the choice of a high temperature heat pump depends on several factors.

Your house is equipped with old radiators requiring high temperature hot water and you have an energy renovation project? In this case, the high-temperature heat pump is the best solution for your situation, replacing an oil or gas boiler, without modifying your entire installation.

Keep in mind that this type of heating is much more economical and ecological than an old boiler running on fossil fuels, since it uses the calories naturally present in the outside air to regulate the temperature of your home. 

Adapted to regions with very cold winters, the high temperature heat pump ensures optimal thermal comfort and energy efficiency far superior to traditional models. 

Remember also that the choice of a high-temperature heat pump can make you eligible for state aid. In France, for example, your energy renovation project can be partially financed by MaPrimeRénov', the Energy Bonus, the Heating Coup de Pouce Bonus and the Energy Transition Tax Credit.

High temperature heat pump: how does it work?

To fully understand how a high-temperature heat pump works, a brief reminder of the technical and thermodynamic principles that govern this type of equipment is in order. 

The high-temperature heat pump captures the calories present in the outside air and transfers them inside the home to heat the water of the heating circuit. But unlike conventional heat pumps (generally limited to 45 ° C), the high-temperature heat pump can heat water up to 65 ° C, even 80 ° C for premium models.

At the heart of the high temperature heat pump, there are 4 essential components, namely the evaporator, the compressor, the condenser and the expansion valve: 

• The evaporator captures the heat present in the air by circulating a refrigerant in a liquid state. Under the effect of the captured heat, the fluid evaporates and is transformed into gas;
• The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the gaseous refrigerant, thus increasing its energy potential;
• The condenser transfers heat from the gaseous refrigerant to the water in the heating circuit. As the heat is transferred, the fluid condenses and returns to the liquid state;
• The regulator lowers the pressure and temperature of the liquid refrigerant before it returns to the evaporator, allowing the cycle to begin again.

How to measure the efficiency of a high temperature heat pump? 

The efficiency of a high temperature heat pump is measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), a key indicator that represents the ratio between the amount of heat produced and the amount of electrical energy consumed. 

The higher the COP, the more efficient the heat pump. For example, a high-temperature air-to-water heat pump with a COP of 4, with conditions of +7° C outside and a produced water temperature of 70° C, consumes 1 kWh of electricity to produce 4 kWh of heat. Thus, for each kilowatt-hour of electrical energy consumed, the heat pump generates four times more thermal energy to heat your home. In other words, 75 % of the energy produced comes from the renewable energy source, while only 25 % is consumed as electricity.

Note however that the COP of a high temperature heat pump is generally slightly lower than that of a conventional heat pump.

High temperature heat pump: what are the advantages?

The high-temperature heat pump has several advantages, starting with its ability to produce hot water up to 80°C, ensuring comfortable heating even in very cold weather. This remarkable level of performance is coupled with an equally interesting energy efficiency. 

In addition to heating your home, the high temperature heat pump also contributes to the production of domestic hot water, an additional advantage for households (since it is an air-water heat pump). 

The high temperature heat pump is ideal for replacing an existing boiler without having to modify the entire central heating circuit, especially in the case of old cast iron radiators. 

Because it is an ecological solution, the high temperature heat pump is eligible for financial aid from the State (depending on the country), which greatly reduces the initial investment and thus accelerates the profitability of the project. 

Finally, there are reversible high temperature heat pumps, capable of cooling your home at a lower cost in summer.

The disadvantages of the high temperature heat pump ?

While the high-temperature heat pump has many advantages, it also has a few disadvantages that you should consider before you start. These disadvantages mainly relate to cost, ease of use and installation options. 

Indeed, the initial investment to install a high temperature heat pump is relatively high, compared to a low temperature heat pump, for obvious reasons of power. This type of equipment will also tend to consume more electricity to reach the required temperatures, which translates into a slightly higher environmental impact than a conventional heat pump, but also higher operating costs. We discuss this below in the price section.

Finally, keep in mind that a high-temperature heat pump uses an outdoor unit that can be bulky and noisy. The purchase of an anti-noise box may be necessary.

Install and maintain a high temperature heat pump 

The choice, installation and maintenance of a high-temperature heat pump must be done with the help of a qualified professional. The investment is significant and the equipment is intended to ensure your thermal comfort for at least two decades. In France, for example, the use of an RGE (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) certified professional is compulsory in order to claim financial aid from the State (for the installation).

If your home is already equipped with a central heating system, the installation of your high temperature heat pump will be simpler, because it will be enough to connect the indoor and outdoor units to your existing system. 

The installation of a high-temperature heat pump requires the installation and connection of the indoor and outdoor units, electrical work, handling of the refrigerant, and possibly connection to the domestic hot water production circuit. 

In addition to the installation, you will need to maintain your high temperature heat pump on a regular basis to ensure its proper functioning and prolong its life. To take the example of France, a decree imposes a mandatory maintenance every two years for individual heat pumps. This maintenance, carried out by a qualified technician, includes cleaning, adjusting the appliance and checking the tightness of the system. You will receive a certificate at the end of the service. 

However, keep in mind that this mandatory maintenance must be performed annually in case the refrigerant charge of your high temperature heat pump is higher than 2 kilograms or about 12 kWh. 

80° C high temperature heat pump: factors that influence the price 

What determines the price of a high temperature heat pump? Beyond the brand and model, there are a number of factors that come into play. 

This is particularly true of the power, energy performance (COP coefficient, SEER, energy class) and additional features of the device (reversible, production of domestic hot water, technology ...). The technical aspects and installation conditions will also influence the price of the heat pump, as well as the constraints related to your home, the complexity of the installation, the presence or not of an old heating circuit and the labor time required for the installation. 

Generally, the installation of an air-to-water heat pump, all types combined, will cost you between 10,000 and 17,000 euros on average (equipment and labor). As a reminder, the price of a high-temperature heat pump is often higher than that of a conventional heat pump, a price difference that can be explained by the technology and robustness of this type of device, designed to operate at very low outdoor temperatures (close to -20° C). 

Note also that the work can be more expensive if the central heating system is not yet installed. In this case, the extra cost is estimated at between 3,000 and 8,000 euros, depending on the number of radiators installed or the choice of underfloor heating. The financial aid granted by the State, the eco-PTZ and the reduced VAT considerably reduce the initial investment.

What are the best high temperature heat pumps? 

Daikin, Mitsubishi, Atlantic, Hitachi... there are many manufacturers offering high-performance high temperature heat pumps. To help you see more clearly, here is a small selection of best high temperature heat pumps of the market. 

Daikin high temperature heat pump 80° C

The Daikin Altherma 3H HT 80°C high temperature heat pump combines innovation and performance to provide you with a reliable and 100 % thermodynamic heating system. Capable of producing hot water at 80° C, it consists of an outdoor unit and a hydraulic module that provide both heating and domestic hot water production. Thanks to its advanced Inverter technology, the Daikin Altherma high temperature is perfectly suited to the needs of renovation projects, easily replacing an existing boiler.

Daikin high temperature heat pump prices : from 6 919,45 € TTC.

High temperature heat pump 80° C Mitsubishi 

Mitsubishi, manufacturer of heat pumps since 1921, offers a wide range of high-temperature models designed to adapt to all housing configurations (heating only, reversible, domestic hot water production...): Mitsubishi Ecodan Power Inverter Silence 8 R410A, Mitsubishi Ecodan Zubadan Silence 11 R410A, Mitsubishi Ecodan Zubadan 14 Tri Reversible R410A... The Mitsubishi high temperature heat pumps are especially noteworthy for their innovative and patented technology. One example is the helically wound gas cooler, specially designed by Mitsubishi Electric to maximize performance while saving energy.

Mitsubishi high temperature heat pump prices : count between 12 000 and 16 000 €.

Atlantic high temperature heat pump 80° C 

A French manufacturer in business since 1968 in La Roche-sur-Yon, Atlantic offers several models of high-temperature heat pumps, including the Atlantic Alféa Excellia Duo A.I., a three-phase air-to-water heat pump equipped with an Inverter temperature controller that optimizes consumption by adapting the motor's power to needs for greater savings. 

Compatible with the Cozytouch Atlantic connected solution, it offers remote control and optimal comfort with complete peace of mind. 

Designed to guarantee constant comfort even in very cold weather, the heat pump has an integrated electrical backup to compensate for temperature drops. The coaxial exchanger patented by Atlantic ensures long-lasting and reliable performance. Compatible with various emitters such as hydraulic floor heating systems, radiators or dynamic radiators, the Alféa Excellia A.I. by Atlantic is an ideal solution for comfort in winter and summer.

Price of the Atlantic high temperature heat pump : count between 8 000 and 16 000 €.

Hitachi 80° C high temperature heat pump 

The Hitachi Yutaki S80 Combi high temperature heat pump is an efficient and innovative solution for boiler replacement, considered as one of the best very high temperature heat pumps on the market. Designed to adapt to all types of existing installations, it is capable of producing hot water at 80°C, even when the outside temperature reaches -20°C, without the need for an electrical backup.

With one of the best COPs on the market, reaching 5.00 (RWH-4.0WHVNPE - 7°C/35°C conditions), the Yutaki S80 High Temperature Combi features a unique design that allows it to maintain high performance all year round, thanks to high SCOPs (seasonal COPs). This Hitachi air-to-water heat pump is ideal for renovation projects, offering an environmentally friendly and economical alternative to traditional heating systems.

Hitachi high temperature heat pump prices : count between 6 500 and 13 000 €.

High temperature heat pumps in brief

• A high-temperature heat pump works like a conventional heat pump, but it can heat the water in the heating circuit to higher temperatures (65°C to 80°C for the most efficient); 
• The major advantage of the high temperature heat pump is its excellent performance, allowing its use even in freezing cold weather conditions (-20 ° C). It is also suitable for a renovation to "update" an existing hydraulic heating system (oil or gas boiler);
• The cost of purchase and installation is relatively high, but it is largely offset by the state aid;
• The efficiency of a high-temperature heat pump is measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), which is generally slightly lower than that of a conventional heat pump. The SCOP and the energy class also measure the energy performance of the high temperature heat pump;
• The installation of a high temperature heat pump requires the services of a qualified professional and regular maintenance of the device to ensure its proper functioning and extend its life;
• The price of a high temperature heat pump is influenced by various factors such as power, performance, additional functions, technical aspects, installation conditions and constraints related to the house;
• The installation of a high-temperature air-to-water heat pump costs on average between 8,000 and 16,000 euros, including materials and labor.