Heat Pump + Home Battery: The Perfect Combination

Why a heat pump and home battery are a golden combination

A heat pump uses a lot of electricity — on average 3,000-5,000 kWh per year for heating and hot water. That is comparable to the remaining electricity consumption of an average household. Without a home battery, you buy a large portion of that electricity at the full grid price. With a home battery, you store your own solar power and use it to run the heat pump — even in the evenings and at night.

The combination becomes especially interesting due to the abolition of the net metering scheme from 1 January 2027. Without net metering, exporting to the grid is only worth a fraction. Every kWh you consume yourself via your heat pump instead of exporting saves you the full tariff of €0.25-0.35/kWh.

How does the synergy work in practice?

The synergy works as follows: during the day your solar panels generate electricity. What you do not use directly is stored in the home battery. In the evenings and at night — when the heat pump runs the most for heating — the system uses the stored electricity. Specifically, this delivers the following benefits:

• Self-consumption rises from 30-40% to 70-85%: You use much more of your own generated electricity.
• Lower grid consumption: Less expensive electricity from the grid means a lower energy bill.
• Heat pump runs on free electricity: In the evenings and at night, the heat pump heats on stored solar power.
• Dynamic tariff optimisation: With a dynamic contract, the battery charges when electricity is cheap and discharges when it is expensive.
• Emergency power function: During a power outage, the battery can continue to power the heat pump and essential appliances.

Capacity calculation: how many kWh do you need?

The required battery capacity depends on your heat pump type and home size. An air-to-water heat pump uses 8-15 kWh on a cold winter evening. A hybrid heat pump switches to gas in extreme cold and uses less electricity.

As a rule of thumb: take your average evening and night consumption (including the heat pump) and choose a battery that can store at least that amount. For most households that is 5-15 kWh.

Small home (flat/terraced house)

For a flat or terraced house with a hybrid heat pump (COP 3.5) and 8-10 solar panels, a battery of 5-10 kWh is sufficient. The Anker SOLIX Solarbank 2 Pro or a compact Pylontech Force H1 are excellent choices here. Expected savings: €400-600 per year on top of what you already save with the heat pump alone.

Large home (detached/semi-detached)

For a detached house with a full air-to-water heat pump and 14-20 solar panels, we recommend 10-20 kWh. Consider the Anker SOLIX X1, Dyness Tower T10 or Huawei LUNA 2000. Expected savings: €650-1,000 per year. With a dynamic energy contract, an additional €100-200 can be added by smart charging during negative electricity prices.

Worked example: savings by household type

The Dutch government encourages the combination of sustainable technologies through the ISDE subsidy (Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Savings). In 2026 you can receive a subsidy for:

Please note: the ISDE subsidy only applies to hybrid and full heat pumps, not to air conditioning heat pumps. In addition, the 0% VAT scheme for solar panels and home batteries applies until the end of 2026. That saves you 21% on the purchase price of the battery.

ISDE subsidy and VAT benefit

With the right combination you can save up to 70% on your total energy costs. Here are our top tips:

• Choose a battery with sufficient discharge power (at least 3.5 kW) so the heat pump can run entirely on battery power.
• Set your heat pump to "solar boost": many heat pumps can heat extra when there is a solar surplus, storing heat in the floor or boiler.
• Consider a dynamic contract: in combination with a home battery, you charge at low prices and save double.
• Schedule your hot water generation during the day: let the heat pump heat the domestic hot water when the sun is shining, so the battery is fully available for heating in the evening.

Practical tips for the best combination

The combination of a heat pump with a home battery is one of the smartest investments you can make in 2026. The synergy is clear: the heat pump provides efficient heating, the home battery ensures that you run that heating on your own free solar power instead of expensive grid electricity.

With the abolition of the net metering scheme in 2027 and the available subsidies, this is the ideal time to invest. At Home Energy Solutions we are happy to advise you on the best battery for your heat pump installation. Request a no-obligation consultation.

Conclusion: invest smartly in a heat pump + home battery

At Home Energy Solutions we help you choose the right home battery to match your heat pump. Browse our range or schedule a free consultation.

Request advice or use our calculator to work out your personal savings.