Heat wave? How to use your heat pump to cool your home this summer

Known as heating solutions, heat pumps (HPs) are presented as carbon-free alternatives to gas boilers. However, they also offer an air cooling function, positioning them as an alternative to air conditioning solutions.

Is this dual functionality likely to revive the PAC market, which is currently in decline after several years of very strong growth?

Rather, it should be stabilized, according to the sector, even if in France and Europe the total number of 26 million heat pumps installed remains significantly higher than in 2020.

For their part, heat pump professionals seem divided, but remain optimistic: at Qualit'EnR, the RGE QualiPAC qualification has recorded a decline of 3,5% since January 2024 but remains the most awarded with 12.456 companies qualified at the start of 2025. The coupling of heat pumps with a solar thermal or solar photovoltaic renewable energy solution offers new perspectives. And despite the decline in sales recorded in 2024, the market share of heat pumps is increasing, gradually replacing fossil boilers, particularly in France.

The fact remains that a heat pump, to guarantee a cool summer, must be installed in a well-insulated house and used according to a few good practices.

Check if your heat pump has a “cooling” function

Spending the summer in the cool of your home thanks to your heat pump first requires consulting the device's documentation and checking that it actually produces cold.

For Maxence Olivard, Head of Audit and Training at Qualit'EnR: "Today, most heat pumps available on the market provide both heating and cooling for the home. But for geothermal heat pumps (water/water) and air/water heat pumps that have been installed for some time, this isn't automatic. You therefore need to check that they actually produce cold and that the emitters, such as underfloor heating, also have this dual function: otherwise, it won't work!"

As for air/air heat pumps, they still have the cooling function, but it is still necessary to ensure that it has been correctly configured.

What is the best use for summer?

Generally speaking, the hotter it is, the more difficult it is for equipment like heat pumps or air conditioners to produce cold. “Their electricity consumption increases and their performance decreases as the mercury rises, so you have to stay vigilant and have the right reflexes to stay cool without spending too much: ventilate early in the morning or late in the evening when the weather is still good so that the heat pump can operate during the day in a house that is already cool; close the windows or even the shutters of rooms exposed to the sun during the day; do not set the thermostat of your heat pump to 16° if it is 40° outside…”, lists Maxence Olivard.

Another key point: maintenance. "Depending on the power of the unit, a check is mandatory every two years. More generally, you should service your heat pump in the spring before starting the cooling function; if the unit hasn't been used for a while, you should clean the filters after checking that the system remains usable," he adds.

Heat pump maintenance and servicing must be performed by a qualified professional. QualiPAC-qualified companies are required to offer this type of service or refer you to a professional within their network.

The list of qualified RGE QualiPAC installers can be viewed here: https://www.qualit-enr.org/annuaire/

Equip yourself with the heat pump adapted to your needs

For a new home, starting from scratch, it's essential to clearly define your budget and objectives. "In terms of efficiency, a geothermal heat pump with underfloor heating and a cooling function will produce twice as much heating or cooling energy as any other system with the same electricity consumption. It's an optimal cooling and heating solution, but it requires a certain budget: between €2 and €15.000 all-inclusive," explains Maxence Olivard.

In the south, air-to-water heat pumps have the advantage of also producing domestic hot water, particularly for swimming pools. Expect to pay between €8.000 and €16.000, including installation.

When renovating, installing a heat pump in your home is best done by adapting to the existing system. "For cost savings, adding an air-to-air heat pump to complement your gas or electric heating system can be a good idea, with a budget of between €6.000 and €10.000, including installation," says Maxence Olivard.

Whatever the project, choosing the right equipment remains essential. "The installer must play their advisory role. Depending on the home's heating and/or cooling needs, calculating the system's sizing will also help determine the equipment's power and ensure its lifespan. This study is essential for choosing the right heat pump. It must be presented before work begins," insists Maxence Olivard.

The Qualit'EnR simulator for choosing the right heat pump can be viewed here: https://www.qualit-enr.org/je-definis-mon-projet/

The CAP in figures

• Lifespan: +20 years with maintenance every 2 years
• Installation: 1/3 day to XNUMX days of work (not including geothermal energy)
• Waiting times after signing the quote: 6 months on average, depending on the company's availability
• 26 million heat pumps installed in Europe, 6 million installed in France. Source: European Heat Pump Association (AFPAC)
• 12.339 RGE QualiPAC Qualit'EnR qualified companies, representing 78,5% of the market for companies qualified for the installation of heat pumps in France