Heat pump costs on the Côte d'Azur: what to expect

Know what a heat pump should cost before you collect quotes. It helps you spot a quote that's too high, or one so low it's probably missing something. The figures below come from real installations in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var: Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Valbonne, Menton and the villages around them.

All figures are total installed costs, covering equipment, labour, electrical work, the refrigerant charge and commissioning. TVA at the applicable rate is included. They're ranges, not averages. Where your home falls depends on the factors further down.

How much does an air-source split heat pump cost?

This is the most common installation in the region: one outdoor unit feeding one indoor wall unit, for a single room or open-plan living area.

• Studio or single room (up to 25 m²): 2,000-3,500 EUR
• Small house or apartment (60-80 m²): 5,000-8,000 EUR
• Larger house (100-150 m²): 8,000-14,000 EUR with multiple indoor units

These are for reversible split systems, which handle both heating and cooling through the same unit. Single-function (heating only) units are rarely installed in this region any more.

What does a multi-split reversible system cost?

One outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units in different rooms, controlled independently. This is the standard choice for a villa or larger apartment where you want zone control.

• 2-zone system (1 outdoor, 2 indoor units): 4,000-6,500 EUR
• 3-zone system: 5,500-8,500 EUR
• 4 to 5-zone system: 7,000-14,000 EUR

The top of each range covers premium brands (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic), large homes, and long pipe runs through stone walls or ceilings. The bottom reflects mid-range brands, easy access and short pipe runs.

How much does an air-to-water heat pump (PAC air-eau) cost?

This type connects to the property's wet heating system: radiators, underfloor heating, or a hot water cylinder. The heat pump replaces what was previously a boiler.

• Heat pump unit alone (supply and installation): 8,000-15,000 EUR
• With full radiator replacement to low-temperature specification: add 4,000-10,000 EUR depending on number of radiators
• With new underfloor heating in a renovation context: significantly more; this is a major building project

Air-to-water systems are less common here than air-to-air splits. Many Riviera homes were built without radiators, and in this mild climate splits are enough. Air-to-water makes sense when the house already has radiators or underfloor heating and you're replacing an oil or gas boiler.

How much does a ground-source heat pump (PAC géothermique) cost?

These draw heat from pipes buried in the garden or from a vertical borehole. On the coast they're only slightly more efficient than air-source systems, and they cost far more to install.

• Horizontal ground loop (requires significant garden area): 15,000-22,000 EUR
• Vertical borehole (more compact, can suit smaller plots): 20,000-30,000 EUR

These figures include the groundwork but not putting the garden back afterwards. Few homes in the region have one: they need land and suitable ground, and air-source units already work well in this climate. They make most sense on a larger rural plot that needs both heating and hot water.

What factors affect heat pump installation costs on the Côte d'Azur?

The variation within each range is driven by several factors:

• Property size and ceiling height: larger volumes need more capacity
• Number of zones: each additional indoor unit adds cost for the unit, pipework, and electrical connection
• Existing heating system: replacing a boiler and existing pipework adds to the scope; a property with no existing system may need more electrical work
• Brand: Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric are typically 15-30% more expensive than Midea, Vivax, or Gree at comparable capacity; mid-range brands like Atlantic, Hitachi, and LG fall in between
• Access: outdoor units installed on a ground-level terrace are cheaper than those requiring scaffold access or roof-level mounting
• Pipework runs: long runs through masonry walls or ceilings add time and labour cost
• Electrical supply: some older homes need their electrics upgrading first. A dedicated circuit costs a few hundred euros; a new fuse board can take it to 2,500 EUR
• Season: installers are busiest in summer and in the heating season, and may charge more then

Which subsidies cut the cost of a heat pump, and which don't?

Three schemes can apply, and which ones you get depends on the type of heat pump.

• MaPrimeRénov': the government grant, set by household income. It covers air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps in your principal residence only, so a holiday home doesn't qualify. A standalone air-air split has been excluded since January 2025. Register at france-renov.gouv.fr before any work starts, and use its simulator for your own figure.
• CEE (Certificats d'Economies d'Energie): paid by energy suppliers and usually arranged by the installer. There's no income test or residence rule. For an air-air unit on the Côte d'Azur it comes to only about 220-350 EUR, and the unit must meet an efficiency threshold. On air-to-water or ground-source, CEE comes on top of MaPrimeRénov'.
• TVA réduite: air-to-water heat pumps in a home over two years old get 5.5% TVA, against 10% for other work. Air-air units have qualified for 5.5% only since 18 July 2026, and only if they meet an efficiency spec. One that misses it stays at 20% on the equipment and 10% on the labour. The prices above already include TVA, so check the rate on each devis.

For a second home, that leaves CEE and reduced TVA. Most reversible splits on the Riviera are air-air, so don't count on MaPrimeRénov' for one.

What should you watch for on heat pump quotes?

Always collect at least three devis for any heat pump installation. When comparing them, check that each quote includes:

• The brand and model number of the outdoor and indoor units
• The heating capacity in kW, and how it was worked out
• The unit's efficiency ratings for heating and cooling
• All the electrical work, including the unit's own circuit
• The refrigerant charge (some quotes omit this and add it as a separate item)
• Commissioning and test run
• Any supplementary works needed (trunking, wall penetrations, drainage for the outdoor unit)
• The TVA rate applied (see the subsidy section above)
• The contractor's RGE qualification number

A quote that leaves some of these out may be honest, but you can't compare it with the others. Ask for a revised devis that itemises everything before you decide.

Be wary of a quote far cheaper than the rest. It may be a smaller brand or a less experienced installer, or the quote may be incomplete. Ask what's different before you treat it as a better deal.

French heat pump terms explained in our glossary

• PAC (Pompe a chaleur): what the terminology on quotes means
• MaPrimeRenov': the main grant scheme
• CEE: the energy supplier subsidy
• RGE certification: how to verify your contractor before signing
• Devis: what your quote should contain