Electrical work for heat pump installation on the Cote d'Azur
Every heat pump needs a dedicated electrical circuit with the right capacity. In older Riviera properties — many built before the 1980s — the distribution board often needs upgrading before a heat pump can be connected safely. We connect you with qualified, English-speaking electricians who understand heat pump installations.
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Why it matters
Why does a heat pump need dedicated electrical work?
A heat pump draws significant current — typically 16-32A depending on the unit size — and needs its own dedicated circuit directly from the distribution board. This is a requirement of both the heat pump manufacturer and French NF C 15-100 electrical standards. Connecting a heat pump to a shared circuit is not an option.
In older French properties, the distribution board is often the obstacle. Properties built before the 1990s commonly have boards with no spare capacity, insufficient total amperage, or wiring that doesn't meet the current standard. In those cases the board needs upgrading before the heat pump circuit can be added — and any new circuit must comply with current NF C 15-100 regardless of when the rest of the property was wired.
The outdoor unit location also matters. If the unit sits some distance from the board — across a garden, on a far wall, or in a detached garage — the cable run needs to be sized for that distance to avoid voltage drop. A cable that is adequate for a short run may be undersized for a longer one. Your electrician should calculate the cable specification based on the actual run length, not a standard assumption.
Types of work
What does the electrical scope of a heat pump installation typically include?
Always required
Dedicated circuit installation
A new circuit run directly from the distribution board to the heat pump outdoor unit. The circuit includes a correctly rated breaker, appropriately sized cable for the run length, and a local isolator near the outdoor unit. This work is always required — the heat pump cannot share a circuit with other loads. It is sometimes included in the heat pump contractor's quote and sometimes handled separately by an electrician. Confirm which before signing the devis.
Distribution board upgrade
If the board is full, undersized, or non-compliant with current standards, it needs replacing before the heat pump circuit can be added. A new board brings the full installation to NF C 15-100. Common in properties built or last rewired before the 1990s. See our general electrical page for more on what board upgrades involve.
Outdoor unit cable run
Running cable from the board to the outdoor unit, which may involve conduit through walls, an underground run across a garden, or cable management along a facade. Longer runs need larger cable to limit voltage drop. The installation method depends on the property layout and ground conditions.
Three-phase supply work
Larger heat pumps sometimes require three-phase supply. If your property is single-phase and the specified unit requires three-phase, a supply upgrade must go through Enedis — a process that typically takes several weeks and has a connection fee. This is relatively uncommon for standard residential heat pumps but worth checking early for larger properties.
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Get quotesGetting the scope right
Is the electrical work included in the heat pump quote or separate?
This varies by contractor. Larger heat pump companies typically include all electrical work in their quote and handle it with their own team or a subcontractor. Smaller operators — often focused on refrigerant and mechanical work — may deliver and connect the unit but expect the homeowner to arrange electrical work separately.
Before signing a devis, confirm what the electrical scope includes. Ask specifically: does the quote cover the dedicated circuit from the distribution board to the outdoor unit? If a board upgrade is needed, is that included? Who handles CONSUEL attestation if the work triggers it? "Connection to the existing supply" is not the same as "dedicated 20A circuit from the board."
The same question applies when replacing an older heat pump with a newer model. The existing circuit may be undersized for the replacement unit's draw. An electrician should verify the existing circuit before installation, not after the new unit is already connected.
What to budget
What does the electrical work for a heat pump cost on the Cote d'Azur?
These costs are separate from the heat pump unit and main installation. When getting quotes, check whether electrical work is itemised separately or bundled into the heat pump contractor's total.
CEE subsidies may apply if the electrical work is part of a qualifying heat pump installation. MaPrimeRénov' covers the heat pump itself — the electrical work is a separate cost. TVA réduite at 10% applies to qualifying renovation electrical work on properties over 2 years old. RGE certification is required on the heat pump contractor to access the main grants.
French terms
Key terms to know
Key French terms for this service
Questions
Frequently asked questions about electrical work for heat pumps on the Cote d'Azur
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It depends on the board's current capacity and condition. A modern board with a spare slot and adequate total capacity may not need upgrading — the electrician adds a dedicated circuit and that is the end of it. An older board (pre-1990s is common in Riviera properties) may be full, undersized for the total load, or non-compliant with current NF C 15-100 standards. In those cases, a board upgrade is required before the heat pump circuit can be added. Your electrician or heat pump installer should assess the board during their site visit. If they don't mention it, ask directly.
It depends on the contractor. Larger heat pump companies typically include all electrical work in their quote and handle it with their own team or a subcontractor. Smaller operators — often focused on refrigerant and mechanical work rather than electrical — may deliver and connect the unit but leave the dedicated circuit and board work to a separate electrician. Before signing any devis, confirm explicitly what is and is not included in the electrical scope. "Connection to the existing supply" is not the same as "supplying and installing a dedicated 20A circuit from the distribution board."
Most residential heat pumps run on standard single-phase 230V supply, which is what French residential properties have. Larger heat pumps — above around 14kW output — sometimes require three-phase. If your installer specifies a unit that needs three-phase, check whether your property has a three-phase connection; your electricity meter will show this. Upgrading from single to three-phase involves an application to Enedis, typically takes several weeks to process, and has a connection fee. Factor this timeline and cost in if the unit sizing requires it.
QUALIFELEC is a professional certification for French electrical contractors. For heat pump electrical installations, look for QUALIFELEC certification in the "Installations thermodynamiques et pompes à chaleur" category. This is separate from RGE, though some electricians hold both. RGE certification is needed on the heat pump contractor to access MaPrimeRénov' and CEE subsidies on the heat pump itself. QUALIFELEC confirms the electrician is qualified for this specific type of work. Ask which certifications your contractor holds before the work starts.
A straightforward dedicated circuit on a board with spare capacity typically takes half a day to a full day. A board upgrade adds another day. A long cable run — from the board to an outdoor unit at the far end of a garden, for example — adds time for conduit work and cable management. Three-phase supply work has an additional Enedis lead time of three to six weeks before the physical work can begin. In practice, the heat pump installer and electrician often need to coordinate separate visits, so the full installation sequence typically spans two to three days across different appointments.