Technical condition and energy

Heat pump (tepelné čerpadlo)

In Czech: Tepelné čerpadlo

A heat pump (tepelné čerpadlo) heats a home, and often its water, by taking heat from the outside air, the ground or water and moving it indoors using electricity. How well it works depends on its design and on the house's insulation.

Also called: air-source heat pump, ground-source heat pump, TČ, tepelné čerpadlo vzduch-voda

What it means

A heat pump (tepelné čerpadlo) works like a fridge in reverse: it takes low-temperature heat from its surroundings and, with an electrically driven compressor, raises it to a temperature suitable for heating and hot water. By source there are air-to-water, ground-to-water with boreholes or a ground collector, water-to-water and air-to-air pumps.

How economically it runs depends on the house's heat losses, the type of heating system, correct sizing and electricity prices. It does best in a well-insulated house with low-temperature heating such as underfloor heating.

How it works in the Czech Republic

When buying a house with a heat pump, ask about the type and manufacturer, the year of installation, the company that designed and services it, and the service records. For a ground-source pump, find out where the boreholes or collector are and whether they are documented. The outdoor unit of an air-to-water pump makes noise, so see where it stands and how close the neighbours' windows are.

Changing the heat source affects documents. Under Act No. 406/2000 Sb. the energy performance certificate (PENB) ends before its ten years are up, among other cases when the heating or hot-water system is changed. If the owner replaced a boiler with a heat pump after the certificate was issued, ask for a new one.

For running costs, ask for real figures: a full year's electricity bills and whether the pump has separate metering or a special tariff. Whether the installation needed a permit or notification can depend on the type and location; check with the building office.

Practical example

For example, the seller claims a house with an air-to-water pump is cheap to heat. Ask for the annual electricity statement, service records and the year of installation. Also find out what backup heat source the house has and whether the outdoor unit sits under a neighbour's bedroom window. Only with this information can you judge the claim about low costs.

What to watch out for

  • Ask for service records, warranty terms and the servicing company's contact.
  • Check the installation year and whether the PENB was issued after it.
  • Request electricity bills for a whole year, not just the summer months.
  • Find out what the backup heat source is for frosty days.
  • Check where the outdoor unit is placed and how loud it is.

Frequently asked questions

Is the old PENB still valid after a heat pump is installed?

No. Under the energy management act, a certificate ends early when, among other things, the heating or hot-water system is changed, so a new one is needed.

Does a heat pump suit an older house?

It can, but efficiency depends heavily on heat losses and the heating system. Have the house assessed by a specialist before buying or installing.

What should I ask the seller?

The type and installation year, servicing, annual electricity use, the backup heat source and documents for boreholes or the outdoor unit.

  • Energy performance certificate (PENB)PENB (průkaz energetické náročnosti budovy) is the Czech energy performance certificate. It rates how much energy a building or flat needs and places it in a class from A (exceptionally efficient) to G (exceptionally inefficient).
  • Solar PV system (fotovoltaická elektrárna)A solar PV system (fotovoltaická elektrárna, FVE) turns sunlight into electricity for a home. It consists of panels, an inverter and sometimes a battery; when buying a house you need to know who owns it and which contracts relate to it.
  • Thermal insulation (tepelná izolace)Thermal insulation (tepelná izolace) is a material or layer that limits heat loss through a building's walls, roof and floors. An insulated house needs less energy for heating, which can show as a better class in its PENB.
  • Electrical inspection (revize elektroinstalace)An electrical inspection (revize elektroinstalace) is a professional check of the wiring and electrical equipment in a flat or house. It ends with an inspection report (revizní zpráva) describing the installation and any defects found.
  • Family house (rodinný dům)A family house (rodinný dům) is a building intended mainly for one or a few households, either detached or attached to neighbouring houses. It is usually sold together with the land, of which the building is legally a part.

Sources

Laws and official pages this text is based on (in Czech).

This text is for information only and has not yet been checked by a legal or financial expert. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Verify important details in the listed sources or with a professional.

Updated 25 October 2026

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