New heat pump
You have just had a heat pump installed or are planning one. We check which module and which tariff suit your expected consumption.
Heat pump and heating electricity · As of October 2026
Electricity for your heat pump and heating: billed correctly
A heat pump often needs several thousand kilowatt hours of electricity a year. So how this electricity is measured and which tariff fits has a big influence on your heating costs. Here you can find out what § 14a EnWG means for your network charge (Netzentgelt) and how MB Finance supports you in choosing a tariff.
- Heat pump tariff
- § 14a EnWG
- Separate meter
- Night storage heating
Why there are special heat pump tariffs
Heat pumps count as controllable consumption devices (steuerbare Verbrauchseinrichtungen) under § 14a EnWG. The network operator (Netzbetreiber) may reduce their power for a short time if the local grid is at risk of overload. In return, you pay a lower network charge. Many suppliers offer heat pump tariffs that include this reduction.
The rules apply to devices with more than 4.2 kW of power that were put into operation from 1 January 2024. The network operator may not switch these devices off completely: even when power is reduced, at least 4.2 kW remains available.
Suppliers do not have to offer a heat pump tariff, and there is no basic supply (Grundversorgung) for heating electricity (Wärmestrom). Whether a separate tariff is worth it depends on your consumption, your meter and your network area.
§ 14a EnWG: the three modules
There are three options for the reduced network charge. If you do not choose, the network operator uses Module 1.
| Module | What you get | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | A flat-rate reduction of the network charge per year. Your network operator sets the amount; according to the Bundesnetzagentur, about €110 to €190 (as of 2023). | No separate meter needed. |
| Module 2 | The unit price (Arbeitspreis) of the network charge falls to 40%, which means a reduction of 60%. This only applies to the electricity for the heat pump. | Separate meter for the heat pump. |
| Module 3 | Time-variable network charge with three price levels, available since April 2025. | Only in addition to Module 1 and with a smart meter system (intelligentes Messsystem). |
Source: Bundesnetzagentur. Module 2 and Module 3 cannot be combined. You can switch between Module 1 and Module 2, but not retroactively.
Separate meter or shared meter?
The most important question for heat pump electricity is whether the heat pump has its own meter.
Separate meter for the heat pump
- Module 2: the network charge for the heat pump electricity falls significantly.
- Separate contract: you usually need a separate electricity contract for the heat pump. The Verbraucherzentrale NRW found this with 19 of 23 suppliers.
- Installation: depending on the meter cabinet (Zählerschrank), it can cost from several hundred to a few thousand euros.
- According to the Verbraucherzentrale NRW, it is usually worth it from about 4,000 kWh of heat pump electricity a year.
One meter for the household and the heat pump
- Module 1: the flat-rate reduction is also possible without a separate meter, and Module 3 is possible in addition with a smart meter.
- No conversion: nothing needs to be changed in the meter cabinet.
- One tariff: the heat pump usually runs on the household electricity tariff.
- According to the Verbraucherzentrale NRW, this is often the cheaper solution if the heat pump uses less electricity.
Seasonal performance factor and electricity consumption
The seasonal performance factor (Jahresarbeitszahl, JAZ) is the most important figure for the efficiency of a heat pump. It shows the ratio of heat produced to electricity used over a whole year. A JAZ of 3.5 means: on average over the year, 1 kWh of electricity becomes 3.5 kWh of heat. The JAZ can only be measured with an electricity meter and a heat meter (Wärmemengenzähler) for the heat pump.
This gives a simple formula: heat demand in kWh ÷ seasonal performance factor = electricity consumption of the heat pump. Example with assumed values: 15,000 kWh heat demand ÷ 3.5 = about 4,300 kWh of electricity a year.
In its market check from February 2026, the Verbraucherzentrale NRW uses an example of 6,000 kWh of heat pump electricity a year. For tariffs with Module 2, the unit price there was 24 ct/kWh on average (range 20 to 29 ct/kWh), and for tariffs with Module 1 without a separate meter, 31.5 ct/kWh on average. These are snapshots and not a promise for your tariff.
Night storage heating and heating electricity with HT and NT
Night storage heaters (Nachtspeicheröfen) store heat at night and release it during the day. They usually run on a dual-tariff meter (Zweitarifzähler) with a high tariff (Hochtarif, HT) during the day and a low tariff (Niedertarif, NT) at night. The NT period usually has a lower unit price. So for heating electricity, compare both unit prices and the standing charge (Grundpreis).
According to the Bundesnetzagentur, the previous rules continue to apply permanently to night storage heating. For heat pumps that were put into operation before 2024, the following applies: with a control agreement (Steuerungsvereinbarung), they move to the new rules by 1 January 2029 at the latest. Without an agreement, they remain exempt, but can switch voluntarily.
According to the Verbraucherzentrale NRW, legacy tariffs (Bestandstarife) are often cheaper for older systems. When comparing, the tariff must match the date the system was put into operation (Inbetriebnahme).
Who this page is right for
Existing heat pump
Your system has been running with its own tariff for some time. We look at the price, the contract term and the rules for existing systems.
Night storage and electric heating
You heat with electricity using a dual-tariff meter. We compare heating electricity tariffs that suit your meter.
Owners who modernise
Also check whether your buildings insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) covers the new building technology. MB Finance advises on this at mitblick-finance.com.
How it works with MB Finance
There is no live tariff comparison on this website. You can get specific heating electricity tariffs through “Request a quote” or in a consultation.
- 01
Send a request
You contact us by phone, WhatsApp, email or through the request form. The consultation takes place by phone or on Microsoft Teams.
- 02
Check consumption and contract
We check the type of meter, the module, the date the system was put into operation, your annual consumption and your current contract. Photos of your bill and meter help.
- 03
Compare tariffs
We compare suitable heat pump and heating electricity tariffs from the suppliers MB Finance works with. We also check whether the reduced network charge is included in the price.
- 04
Receive your quote as a PDF
You receive the quote as a PDF in German and, if you wish, also in Persian or English.
- 05
Sign the order
If you agree, you sign the order directly on the screen or through a link.
- 06
Switch without interruption
The new supplier usually cancels your old contract and registers you with the network operator. Your heating continues to run without interruption.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate meter for a heat pump tariff?
Not always. A separate meter is required for Module 2, but not for Module 1. However, many heat pump tariffs require a separate meter. Without a separate meter, the heat pump usually runs on the household electricity tariff.
Can the network operator switch off my heat pump?
Not completely for systems from 2024 onwards. It may only reduce the power for a short time to prevent an overload of the local grid. At least 4.2 kW remains available.
Which module is cheaper for me?
This depends mainly on how much electricity the heat pump uses and on the network operator. The Verbraucherzentrale NRW gives this rule of thumb: from about 4,000 kWh a year, usually Module 2; below that, usually Module 1. We calculate with your figures.
Is there basic supply for heat pump electricity?
No. There is no basic supply for heating electricity tariffs. So make sure that your contract is renewed or replaced in good time.
Is the reduced network charge already included in the tariff?
This varies. The Verbraucherzentrale NRW recommends checking before you sign whether the reduction is included in the unit price or credited on the bill. We also pay attention to this when comparing.
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Learn moreGet personal advice
Call us, send us a message on WhatsApp or by email, or request a quote directly. We give advice by phone or Microsoft Teams – in German, Persian and English.