What size heat pump for a 200 m² house?
A 200 m² house insulated after 2000 needs about 11.1 kW in zone III including hot water for four people: a 12 kW class heat pump. A new house built to WT 2021 needs about 6.8 kW (8 kW class) and an uninsulated one about 21.8 kW. The calculator starts at 200 m².
Example: 200 m² house, insulated, zone III
Heat pump output needed at −20°C: about 11.1 kW
heating about 10.7 kWhot water about 0.4 kW
Heat pump size for comparing quotes
12 kW class
- 4
- 6
- 8
- 10
- 12
- 14
- 16
The number in the model name is the output at one operating point, for example +7°C. In frost the pump gives less: the Buderus Logatherm WPLS8.2 delivers 9.34 kW at +7°C and 7.82 kW at -7°C. Check in the datasheet that the pump gives at least 11.1 kW at −20°C.
Electricity for heating and hot water
about 6,743 kWh a year, about 7,013 PLN
about 584 PLN a month on average
Prices from 11 October 2026, estimate
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat for space heating | 20,000 kWh/yr |
| Heat for hot water | 3,600 kWh/yr |
| Full-load hours | 1,871 h |
| House heat loss per degree | 0.27 kW/K |
| Heating load at −20°C | 10.7 kW |
| Hot water allowance | 0.4 kW |
| Design load | 11.1 kW |
| Heat pump size class | 12 kW class |
| Electricity per year | 6,743 kWh/yr |
| Electricity cost per year | 7,013 PLN |
Assumptions and formulaPrices from 11 October 2026
t = 3,118.9 × 24 h ÷ (20 - (−20)) = 1,871 h P = 20,000 kWh ÷ 1,871 h = 10.7 kW Pdhw = 4 people × 900 kWh ÷ 8760 h = 0.4 kW E = 23,600 kWh ÷ 3.5 = 6,743 kWh, cost = 6,743 kWh × 1.04 PLN = 7,013 PLN
The hot water allowance is the yearly hot water heat spread over the hours of the year: the minimum the pump must add to heating on a frosty day. Yearly use comes from SCOP. A datasheet SCOP (EN 14825) already includes the heater's work in a typical season, so switching the heater on does not change the kWh result here.
- Degree days per year
- 3,118.9Eurostat, heating degree days (nrg_chdd_m), Poland, 2015-2025 average
- Design temperature, zone III
- −20 °CPN-EN 12831 and PN-B-02403, via Gramwzielone.pl (25 Oct 2024)
- Room temperature
- 20 °C
- Hot water per person
- 900 kWh/yr
- Heat pump size classes
- 4-16 kW in 2 kW stepsrounded up, manufacturers' ranges differ
- Heat pump SCOP
- 3.5
- Electricity price
- 1.04 PLN/kWhURE G11 tariffs 2026 (PGE, Tauron, Enea, Energa), average with distribution
An estimate based on yearly heat demand. The output to buy is set by a designer or installer from a heat load calculation to PN-EN 12831. The cost excludes fixed charges.
How electricity, gas, pellet and coal prices have changed, month by month. Price history
Ready-made calculations
Heat pump output for a 200 m² house
A house insulated after 2000 needs about 10.7 kW for heating at -20°C and about 11.1 kW with hot water for four people: a 12 kW class. With a heater and a bivalent temperature of, for example, -9°C a pump of about 8.2 kW (10 kW class) is enough, and the heater adds about 2.9 kW.
An uninsulated house needs about 21.8 kW. Even with a heater the pump has to give about 15.9 kW and the heater about 5.9 kW. At that output check the house's connection capacity and work out insulation first.
Electricity and cost per year
A house insulated after 2000 needs about 23,600 kWh of heat a year. A heat pump with SCOP 3.5 uses about 6,743 kWh of electricity, about 7,013 PLN a year or about 584 PLN a month on average. A new house built to WT 2021 needs about 15,600 kWh of heat: about 4,457 kWh of electricity and about 4,635 PLN.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 12 kW heat pump enough for a 200 m² house?
For a house insulated after 2000 in zone III, yes: it needs about 11.1 kW at -20°C including hot water for four people. For an uninsulated house, no: that needs about 21.8 kW.
How much electricity does a heat pump use in a 200 m² house?
In a house insulated after 2000 with hot water for four people, about 6,743 kWh a year at SCOP 3.5, or about 7,013 PLN at the calculator's electricity price. In a new house built to WT 2021 about 4,457 kWh.