The advantages of replacing your oil boiler with a heat pump

Faced with new environmental and economic challenges, a growing number of individuals are turning to alternative energy solutions for their homes. Among them, abandoning oil heating to adopt a heat pump is a popular option. Opting for this ecological and economical solution not only allows you to reduce your impact on the environment, but also to benefit from financial aid from the State.

The ecological benefit of changing your oil boiler for a heat pump

Fuel oil is a fossil energy source, that is to say it comes from the decomposition of organic matter under pressure and temperature over millions of years. Using fuel oil for heating therefore represents a significant ecological burden. This contributes in particular to the emission of greenhouse gases, responsible for global warming.

On the contrary, the heat pump draws calories directly from the outside air to produce heat. This mode of operation involves the use of renewable energy, which does not run out and generates very few polluting emissions. The transition to this type of heating therefore constitutes a strong gesture in favor of preserving the environment.

The economic advantages of switching to a heat pump

In addition to being beneficial for the planet, the switch from oil boilers to heat pumps is also touted for its economic benefits. With this solution, energy costs can be significantly reduced, which will translate into savings on household heating bills.

This is explained in particular by the fact that the heat pump offers better efficiency than the oil boiler. For the same quantity of energy consumed, it produces more heat than its fossil competitor.

Yield and energy efficiency: key criteria

The energy efficiency of a heating appliance is the ratio between the energy it delivers in the form of heat and the energy it draws from its environment or fuel supply. The higher this ratio, the more efficient the device is considered from an energy point of view.

A heat pump generally displays higher efficiency than an oil boiler. For example, where a classic oil boiler has an efficiency of between 70% and 90%, that of an air-water or air-air heat pump is around 300-400%. In other words, the heat pump is capable of providing three to four times more heat for the same quantity of energy, thus making it more economical to use.

An investment quickly amortized

While it is true that the initial investment linked to replacing your oil boiler with a heat pump can be significant, it is important to note that this investment quickly pays off thanks to the savings made on energy bills. Generally, the amortization of the installation cost occurs between 7 and 10 years after the system is put into operation., depending on several factors such as the cost of equipment, climatic conditions or even the specific heating needs of the home.

Financial aid to facilitate the energy transition

To encourage the switch to heat pumps, public authorities are putting in place various schemes to partially finance the purchase and/or installation of the equipment.

• MaPrimeRénov’ : this State bonus was created to encourage energy renovation work in homes in France, including the replacement of an oil boiler with a heat pump.
• The zero-rate eco-loan (Eco-PTZ) : intended for owners, this loan finances work to improve the energy efficiency of housing, with an amount of up to €30,000. No interest is to be repaid.
• VAT reduced to 5.5% : for energy renovation work aimed at improving the energy performance of a home, the installation and purchase of equipment benefit from a reduced VAT rate.

This aid can be combined and is subject to certain conditions., such as compliance with NF PAC standards for heat pumps or the intervention of a recognized professional Environmental Guarantor (RGE).

Changing your oil boiler for a heat pump in practice

Once convinced by the ecological and economic advantages of switching to a heat pump, you must choose your pump model carefully:

1. Air-water heat pump: recommended for homes already equipped with a centralized heating installation operating with radiators or underfloor heating.
2. Air-air heat pump: offered to individual homes, it captures calories from the ambient air and diffuses them through air vents distributed throughout the different rooms.
3. Geothermal heat pump: it draws heat contained in the ground, which offers maximum efficiency even in very cold weather.

The installation of a heat pump must be carried out by an RGE certified professional, thus guaranteeing quality of service and support in the administrative procedures for obtaining financial aid.