BEW Funding Calculator: Heat Pump Operating Cost Subsidy
Subsidy rate under BEW Module 4 from SCOP and power supply
The calculator evaluates the SCOP formula of the BEW guideline (Module 4, operating cost subsidy) for central heat pumps feeding into a heat network. It returns the subsidy rate, the annual subsidy and the total over the 10-year funding period.
Subsidy rate and total under BEW Module 4 for central heat pumps feeding into a heat network — depending on SCOP and electricity supply.
- Ambient heat
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- Effective per kWh heat
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- Annual subsidy
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- Subsidy over 10 years
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Assumptions: operating cost subsidy under BEW Module 4 for central, grid-feeding electrically driven heat pumps with SCOP ≥ 2.5; duration 10 years · grid electricity: rate = [5.5 − (6.8 − 17/SCOP) · 0.75] · SCOP/(SCOP − 1) in ct per kWh of ambient heat, capped at 9.2 ct/kWh · direct renewable electricity: rate = 3 − (8/2.5 − 8/SCOP) · 0.75 in ct per kWh of heat, capped at 3 ct/kWh · ambient heat = (SCOP − 1)/SCOP of the heat generated · decentralized heat pumps at the consumers (e.g. cold district heating) are not eligible; further limits of the guideline (e.g. cap at the additional costs) are not modelled. The BAFA approval decision is authoritative. Last updated: July 2026 (BEW guideline of 1 August 2022). VICUS Software accepts no liability for the correctness of the results.
How the calculator works
With grid electricity, the subsidy applies to the ambient heat extracted. The rate depends on the seasonal coefficient of performance SCOP:
f = [5.5 − (6.8 − 17 / SCOP) · 0.75] · SCOP / (SCOP − 1) ct/kWhambient heat, max. 9.2 ct/kWh
Qambient = QHP · (SCOP − 1) / SCOP
With direct electricity from renewable plants, the rate refers to the heat generated:
f = 3 − (8 / 2.5 − 8 / SCOP) · 0.75 ct/kWhheat, max. 3 ct/kWh
- Eligible are central electrically driven heat pumps with SCOP ≥ 2.5; the funding period is 10 years.
- Decentralised heat pumps at the consumers, e.g. in cold district heating, are not eligible.
- Further caps of the guideline (e.g. limitation to the additional costs) are not modelled; the BAFA funding notice is binding.
Background and theory
All modules of the German Federal Funding for Efficient Heat Networks, eligibility requirements and the application process are described in the knowledge article BEW funding for heat networks.
For a full thermo-hydraulic network simulation with annual load profiles, heat losses and pump energy for every pipe, use VICUS Districts.