June 16, 2025, 10:05 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Heat pumps require electricity to operate. In addition to the “normal” household electricity, there are special rates available for heat pump owners. An energy expert at myHOMEBOOK explains why this special heat pump electricity exists and why it is cheaper.
Whether a heat pump is cost-effective also depends on the electricity you pay for it. All heat pumps–regardless of type–require electricity to operate. In return, operators benefit from lower rates compared to household electricity.
What Is Heat Pump Electricity?
“Rates for heating with electricity have been around for a while,” explains Ramona Mittag from the Consumer Center NRW. “We still remember them from night storage heaters with different tariff measurements.” Night storage heaters are used less frequently now, but heat pumps are increasingly common, leading to new heating electricity rates. “And we conveniently call these heat pump electricity,” Mittag summarizes.
How Does the Electricity Rate Differ?
The special feature of heat pump electricity is that it is cheaper. “But I get switched off intermittently,” explains energy expert Mittag. “That’s why it’s not suitable for infrared heaters, for example. Because unlike heat pumps, they don’t have storage mass.” The result: You would be without heating twice a day when the electricity is briefly turned off. Since heat pumps usually have a storage unit, the interruption doesn’t matter much.
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How Much Cheaper Are the Rates?
“We’re talking about a few cents per kilowatt-hour,” Mittag replies. Heat pump electricity is about 0.03 euros cheaper than household electricity. The reason is reduced concession fees and lower grid charges. “But this varies locally,” Mittag adds. Each grid operator has its own discount.
The average price difference of three cents aligns with the figures from common price comparison portals. However, there are larger differences in rates–specifically “for those who signed a contract two years ago and those who are currently searching.” Prices vary widely, Mittag notes. This is also shown in a comparison by Stiftung Warentest from May 2023. Therefore, consumers should always consider the current price difference between household and heat pump electricity, advises the expert.
Why Is Heat Pump Electricity Switched Off Intermittently?
“Heat pumps are intended to help relieve the grid in the long term,” explains Mittag. In this context, it is advantageous to take the heaters off the grid for a short time and then bring them back when electricity is “left over.” “And the grid operator keeps this option open.” Accordingly, heat pump electricity is turned off twice a day for two hours each time. “This is not a problem for the consumer because they have heat stored in the buffer during this time.” Hot water is also sufficiently available during this period. “At the same time, you can contribute to grid stability and get the rate a few cents cheaper.”
When Are the Blocking Times?
“Each grid operator does it a little differently,” explains the energy expert. And they do it in a way that fits well into the respective grid planning. “Many post the blocking times on their websites, so there’s no need to worry.” In some grids, it’s about two hours in the morning when many people turn on their coffee machines and other devices, requiring a lot of household electricity.
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What Happens If You Use Heat Pump Electricity for the Entire Household?
“We’re quickly in the criminal realm,” warns Mittag. “You’d probably become suspicious if you don’t have a second meter.” Because on one hand, you need a meter for household electricity, which is also billed, and on the other hand, one for heat pump electricity.
“But we also increasingly notice–especially in energetically well-renovated buildings–that the heat pump doesn’t have to work as hard,” Mittag adds. In these cases, a separate heat pump electricity rate may not be worthwhile. Others prefer to use self-produced PV electricity from the roof for the heat pump, which is why some might opt out of the special rate.
But what happens if you supply your household with the cheaper heat pump electricity? Mittag sees the limitation that you can’t use the electricity continuously due to the intermittent shutdowns. “That’s rather inconvenient for the refrigerator,” Mittag explains.
On the other hand, the heat pump and regular household electricity have completely different load profiles. “While I mainly need electricity during the day in the household, I could plan the heat pump to primarily draw electricity at night. And then there’s a shift that grid operators don’t have on their radar.” As a result, it could lead to miscalculations. In the worst case, consumers could face compensation claims. “Honestly, I’m not aware of any case where this has been attempted or discovered. I don’t think it’s very clever due to the blocking times,” the expert concludes.