Heat pumps three times more efficient than oil or gas boilers, French study reveals

Heat pumps (pompes à chaleur) are nearly three times more efficient than oil burners or gas boilers, reveals a study by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).

The “completely unprecedented” study, published on October 7, measured the year-long performance of 100 heat pumps across France - 90 of which use air/water radiator systems, and 10 using geothermal ground/water or water/water systems. 

“Heat pumps are indeed a means of increasing purchasing power, energy efficiency and improving trade balance when they replace imported fossil fuels,” reads the ADEME press release.

Heat pump efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). When this coefficient reaches a value of two, it means that the pump provides twice as much energy as the electricity it consumes. 

Analysts for the ADEME study recorded an average SCOP of 2.9 for air/water heat pumps, and 4.3 for water/water heat pumps.

“We believe that an average measured heating SCOP of at least 3 is achievable with optimised configurations on all installations,” reads the study. 

Heat pump optimisation

The study lists recommendations on an institutional level, as well as for manufacturers and maintenance workers.

Tips include avoiding excessive use of the pumps by optimising time schedules, particularly reducing heating activity at night to limit the number of cycles, as well as offering users a simple way of switching off their pump if away from home for an extended period of time. 

Drop in sales

After years of growth and increased production, heat pump sales in France began declining at the beginning of 2024, according to figures published by the Uniclima trade association. 

This is despite the fact that the government has long championed this type of heating, offering grants to those installing heat pumps at home. 

Heat pump installation costs are still among the more expensive when comparing heating options, with some people also questioning their longevity and noise levels.

Despite this, France is considered a leader in heat pump installation, ADEME explained. The agency also predicts that heat pump demand will “sharply increase across Europe over the next decade” in an effort to decarbonise the building sector - currently accounting for around a quarter of CO₂ emissions in France.

ADEME CEO, Sylvain Waserman, hopes the agency’s report will convince households that heat pumps offer a way “to better control energy bills” and “shed light on potential energy savings to help make energy more accessible and sustainable for everyone.”