The heat pump is on the rise.
In its report on heat pumps in the October 2023 issue, UFC Que Choisir gives the figures for the evolution of the market: it went from 170,390 heat pumps sold in France in 2020, to 153,140 in 2021 and the growth in 2022 would still be 30%, or around 325,000 units sold according to our calculations!
The heat pump is therefore an increasingly popular ecological and economical heating solution. It must be said that it allows you to recover the heat present in the air, water or earth to return it to your home. However, to guarantee an efficient installation that properly heats your house or apartment, it is crucial to choose the right installer.
My name is William Danizet . I designed the first heat pump cover in France in 2014, 10 years ago. Since then I can say that hundreds of thousands of DECOCLIM have been installed throughout France. It’s no small feat to gain the trust of industry professionals. The key to success ? An expert in exterior decoration, I created DECOCLIM by working closely with heating engineers and heat pump installers because they are in the best position, they know their products. DECOCLIM is thus the first heat pump cover which, in particular thanks to the design of its large louvers and its 7cm recess at the rear, made it possible to hide the heat pump, while allowing the device to operate with ventilation. optimal as evidenced by studies on air/air and air/water heat pumps .
I have known heat pump installers very well for a long time. I am therefore well placed to advise you on the best, and in this article I will explain to you:
- How to ensure the competence of the installer
- How to find contact details for installers with the appropriate certifications
- Points to check and questions to ask the installer before signing the quote
- Tips for avoiding scams.
Installer of air-air, air-water, water-water heat pumps... what certifications and labels to ensure the installer's competence in heat pumps?
To ensure a quality installation, benefit from financial aid from the state, and avoid disappointments, it is essential to choose a competent and qualified installer. The French Association for Heat Pumps (AFPAC) recommends it on its site: to do this, you must check whether the installer who offers you a quote is RGE PAC qualified. The RGE ( Recognized Guarantor of the Environment ) certification is delivered by certifying bodies accredited by the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC). It certifies that the installer has the necessary skills, that he has followed specific training and that he is regularly checked to guarantee the quality of his work.
To be complete and precise, this article was written based on a summary of French reference opinions:
- Experts from the French association of heat pump manufacturers (AFPAC)
- The ecological transition agency (ADEME)
- The France Renov government website
- Journalists from 60 million consumers
- Que Choisir magazine
- The three official certification bodies (Qualit'EnR, Qualifelec, Qualibat)
- Decoclim professionals
Good reading !
How do I find contact details for an approved heat pump installer?
There are several ways to find a certified installer near you:
- Visit the website of the certification body:
Three organizations deliver RGE heat pump certification and they all offer a directory on their site to easily find the contact details of professionals who have been certified:
- List of Qualit'EnR certified installers (QualiPAC qualification)
- Directory of Qualifelec professionals
- List of companies certified by Qualibat
To find out more, see the details of certifications in the guide published by ADEME
- Visit the France-Renov website
The France Renov government site also offers a directory of RGE professionals classified according to the type of work they are proficient in: there you will find who to contact to install a heat pump with complete confidence
- Ask for recommendations:
You can ask for recommendations from your professional circle, your neighbors or your friends who have already installed a heat pump.
- Contact heat pump manufacturers:
Heat pump manufacturers often have a network of partners and certified installers. Please feel free to contact them for a list of approved installers in your area.
Points to check and questions to ask the craftsman who will install your heat pump
To be sure to choose the right installer, here are the points to check before signing the quote.
Installer certifications:
Make sure the installer has the necessary certifications to install a heat pump. You will find the different labels detailed above.
The guarantees offered:
Check the guarantees offered by the installer. Ten-year guarantees are mandatory for construction work, but additional guarantees can also be offered. Also check if the installer offers a maintenance contract for the heat pump, as this can be a sign of seriousness and professionalism.
Installer references:
Do not hesitate to ask the installer for references to ensure his experience and the quality of his work. If its customers are satisfied with their installation, that's a good sign.
The progress of the work:
Ask the installer for a detailed plan of the work to be carried out and the expected deadlines for each stage of the installation. Don't forget to ask if a period without heating is expected, and if so for how long, so that you can organize yourself.
Payment terms :
Check the payment terms offered by the installer, in particular the percentage to be paid when ordering as a deposit, and the balance at the end of the work.
To be sure you choose the right installer, it is also important to ask the right questions.
Here are some questions to ask the installer before signing the quote:
How much power is needed to heat my house or apartment?
The installer must first carry out a thermal study of your home to determine the heat pump power necessary to heat your home.
Air-air, Air-water, water-water...what type of heat pump is best for my home?
Air-Air, Air-water, ground-water geothermal energy, water-water hydrothermal energy….the installer must explain the different types of heat pumps to you and advise you on the type of heat pump best suited to your home.
What is the performance of the heat pump?
The installer must give you precise information on the performance of the heat pump he intends to install, in particular its coefficient of performance (COP) and its noise level.
The COP or Coefficient of Performance is the indicator which measures the ratio between the energy produced and the energy consumed by a heat pump. For a high energy efficiency heat pump, Ademe recommends a COP greater than or equal to 3 (1 kWh consumed for 3 kWh produced).
How long will the work take?
The installer must give you an estimate of how long the work will take.
How is heat pump maintenance carried out?
The installer must explain to you how to maintain the heat pump and inform you of any maintenance contracts offered.
Heat pumps often generate noise and aesthetic nuisances.
Therefore, check that the installer has experience in these subjects and does not neglect these aspects. An informed installer will be able to advise you on the best location to install the device, and offer you solutions adapted to your configuration such as a louvered heat pump cover. This is a formwork designed to hide the heat pump and reduce the noise it generates but without hindering its operation, thanks to the large louvers which allow air to circulate well all around the device.
Compare several installer quotes
To avoid scams, it is important to compare several quotes. Do not hesitate to ask for quotes from different installers. Check the details of the services offered, as well as the payment terms and guarantees described.
Also check that the certifications announced are real by asking for supporting documents.
Check the certification of the equipment: the heat pump must also be certified
Certification for heat pump devices is a standard that guarantees that this equipment meets performance, safety and quality criteria.
Therefore, check that the heat pump proposed on the quote complies with the NFPAC standard (French Heat Pump Standard) or the HP-Keymark standard. These are the 2 certifications recommended by the French Association for Heat Pumps (AFPAC) .
These certifications attest that the heat pump meets high quality and performance standards, and this certification is also necessary to benefit from financial aid from the State for the installation of a heat pump.
Be wary to avoid scams and disappointments
- Ask the installer for the thermal study of your home which allowed the establishment of his quote.
- Avoid purchasing a heat pump at a fair or exhibition in order to benefit from the legal withdrawal period.
- Be wary of overly tempting offers, which offer very low prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may offer very low prices to attract customers, but they will not meet quality and safety standards, and the work may be poorly done.
- Also note that state aid has evolved and that it is not credible to install a heat pump “for €1” today. Since July 2021, the State has in fact taken measures to limit abuse and has modified the payment of aid to make the offers clearer. From now on, energy renovation work is accompanied by a minimum remaining charge of 10% for owners. It is therefore impossible to benefit from a €1 offer. It is important not to be seduced by such fanciful proposals, because the real cost of a heat pump is higher, varying between 5,000 and 15,000 euros for a 120 m2 house. Even with the aid available, the cost will never drop to €1. It is therefore essential to be wary of overly tempting offers and to choose a trusted installer who presents a transparent quote, in accordance with market prices and current legislation.
The expert study of 60 Million Consumers
The consumer defense magazine has devoted several files to heat pumps. Since the development of the market...and state aid, the magazine has received a number of letters from customers unhappy with their heat pump installation.
The reasons are diverse:
- either they are cold at home, because the device was poorly sized or is broken,
- either the promised energy savings are not there,
- or even because they were victims of an incompetent, unscrupulous professional, or even an eco-delinquent...
Journalist Fanny Guibert therefore investigated with the help of an energy renovation specialist and a lawyer. His investigation was published in the May 2023 issue.
She documents these installation problems and gathers valuable advice to avoid them.
A certain number of elements have already been explained in this article but the following points seem important to add:
- Choose approved heat pump installers close to you by consulting the directory on the official France-renov.gouv.fr website.
- Check on infogreffe or societe.com the existence and solidity of the company
- Financial aid must always be requested BEFORE signing the quote. MaPrimeRénov is state aid. As for Heating Boosts , they are granted by energy suppliers as part of the Energy Saving Certificates (EEC) mechanism. To find out how to obtain them, it is best to contact the government's France Rénov service on 0808 800 700
- Please note, this financial aid is nevertheless not granted for the installation of a reversible Air-Air heat pump (which provides heating in winter and air conditioning in summer).
- Beyond the price and the model of heat pump installed, the quote must give more details and, in particular, the unclogging of the radiators is strongly recommended before the installation of an Air-Water heat pump in order to avoid breakdowns. and/or overconsumption. The estimate should also mention, for example, the installation of a lead screed for the good stability of the device if necessary, the work to insulate the water pipes, the possible installation of a buffer tank, the possible works to be carried out on the electrical panel...
- Check the professional's ten-year civil liability insurance certificate. And if they have not provided it to you, please note that the numbers are normally also indicated on the company file in the France-Renov directory
Findthe complete article on heat pumps on the magazine's website .
@Decoclim
UFC Que Choisir files
The magazine has carried out various studies on the subject of heat pumps.
If you want to find the results of all their comparisons, their advice and their warnings to avoid scams, do not hesitate to consult the Que Choisir website.
Recommendations from AFPAC specialists
The French Association for Heat Pumps (AFPAC) has summarized on its site the 10 commandments to follow for a successful heat pump installation.
In addition to the points already mentioned above, they recommend:
- to check that the installer carries out a careful visit to your home,
- to request written guarantee conditions
- and take out a maintenance contract with the installer so that he can monitor
Now you know the right way to avoid pitfalls and scams, and to find a qualified and experienced installer to install a heat pump or air conditioner in your home!