Heat pump for a home in Moldova: how to choose, costs and when it makes sense

A heat pump transfers heat from the outdoor air, ground or water into a home. When properly designed, it uses considerably less electricity than an electric boiler and, under suitable conditions, can cost less to run than a gas boiler. It should not, however, be selected using a simple rule such as “8 kW for 80 m²”. The result depends on the building’s actual heat loss, the water temperature required by the radiators or underfloor heating, the available electrical capacity and the design of the complete system.

We checked public offers from Moldovan suppliers, energy tariffs updated on 1 October 2026 and manufacturers’ technical documentation. This guide explains what to verify before requesting a quotation and why two heat pumps with the same nominal output may perform very differently in the same home.

In brief: when a heat pump makes sense

An air-to-water heat pump has the best operating conditions in a well-insulated home with underfloor heating, fan coils or radiators designed for low water temperatures. It can also work with existing radiators, but only after checking the building’s heat loss and the flow temperature required on cold days.

Before buying, establish:

• the building’s heat loss at the local design outdoor temperature;
• the output the exact model still delivers below freezing, not only at +7°C;
• the water temperature required by the heating system;
• whether an electric heater or another backup source is included;
• exactly what the quotation contains: outdoor and indoor units, hot-water cylinder, buffer tank, controls, materials, installation and commissioning.

If a proposal is based only on floor area, without information about insulation, windows and heat distribution, it is not yet an engineering calculation. It is a sales estimate.

How a heat pump works

A heat pump does not produce all its heat by directly warming an electric resistance element. It collects energy from air, ground or water and transfers it into the building through a refrigerant circuit. Electricity powers the compressor, circulation pumps, controls and, when necessary, auxiliary heating.

An electric boiler converts about 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. Under suitable conditions, a heat pump can supply 3–4 kWh of heat for every kilowatt-hour used. The International Energy Agency gives a typical COP of around 3–4, although actual efficiency changes with outdoor temperature and heating-water temperature.

COP and SCOP are not the same

COP describes efficiency at one test point. A7/W35, for example, means outdoor air at +7°C and water delivered at 35°C — favourable conditions similar to underfloor heating.

SCOP estimates efficiency over a complete heating season. It is more useful for comparing models, but must be read together with the stated climate zone and flow temperature, normally 35°C or 55°C. A unit can have an excellent SCOP at 35°C and a substantially lower figure when supplying radiators at 55°C.

For example, the NIBE S2125 data sheet states an SCOP of 5.0 for its 8 and 12 kW models in an average climate at 35°C, but about 3.7–3.8 at 55°C. In a cold climate, the declared figures fall to approximately 4.1–4.2 at 35°C and 3.2–3.4 at 55°C. These are standardised results for that product range, not a promise that every heat pump will achieve the same figures in every Moldovan home. NIBE data sheet for the quoted figures.

Which type is suitable for a home

Air-to-air

This is essentially an air conditioner capable of heating. The initial cost is lower and it can be very useful during the shoulder seasons or in a small dwelling. It does not supply water to radiators or underfloor heating and normally does not produce domestic hot water.

Air-to-water

This is the option most frequently offered for houses. It heats water for underfloor heating, radiators or fan coils and can prepare domestic hot water in a separate or integrated cylinder. Installation is simpler than for a ground-source system, but available output and efficiency decline as outdoor temperature falls.

Ground-to-water

This system uses energy stored in the ground and benefits from a more stable winter heat source. It requires boreholes or buried collectors, available land, professional design and a larger initial investment. The pump price alone is not a valid comparison because drilling and excavation are part of the system.

Most residential offers currently available in Chișinău are for air-to-water heat pumps, so that is the type considered below.

Will it work during a Moldovan winter?

Yes, provided the model is selected for the actual climate and heating system. A statement that a pump “operates down to −25°C” does not mean it delivers the same output and efficiency at −25°C as it does at +7°C.

Capacity and COP curves at sub-zero temperatures must be checked. Some cold-climate products can continue to supply high water temperatures. NIBE, for example, states that the S2125 can provide a flow temperature of up to 75°C and up to 65°C at an outdoor temperature of −25°C. This is a characteristic of that range, not a general rule for every air-to-water unit.

The International Energy Agency’s roadmap for Moldova notes that cold-climate heat pumps can maintain good performance at temperatures around −25°C. It also warns about higher electricity demand and pressure on the grid during very cold periods. The design must therefore define what happens at peak load: full heat-pump sizing, auxiliary electric heating or a hybrid system.

Size by heat loss, not floor area

Catalogue statements such as “8 kW for 80–100 m²” are useful only for initial orientation. Two 100 m² houses can have completely different requirements. A new, well-insulated building with efficient windows may need much less output than an older home with uninsulated walls and air leakage.

The calculation should account for at least:

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• the building’s area, volume and shape;

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• the material and insulation of walls, roof and floor;

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• window area and performance;

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• air leakage and ventilation;

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• the desired indoor temperature;

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• the outdoor design temperature;

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• domestic hot-water demand;

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• the heating system’s flow temperature.

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Oversizing is not free insurance. A unit that is too large costs more, may short-cycle and can operate less efficiently during periods of low demand.

Underfloor heating or radiators

Underfloor heating normally operates with lower water temperatures and creates favourable conditions for a heat pump. Radiators can also be used, but they must provide enough heat at the lower flow temperature.

A radiator designed for 70/55°C will emit much less heat when supplied at 45/35°C. Possible solutions include larger radiators, low-temperature emitters, fan coils or a high-temperature heat pump. The last option does not remove the effect of higher water temperature on electricity consumption.

Ask the installer to state the design regime in the quotation: for example, 35°C for underfloor heating or 45–55°C for radiators. Without this information, even an A+++ label says too little about performance in your home.

Heat-pump prices in Moldova

The prices below were displayed publicly on 26 September 2026. The products are not perfectly comparable: some are monobloc units, others are split systems, and package contents differ. The table indicates the current market level rather than identifying a universal “best price”.

Price sources: WATT and 4Elements. When requesting a quotation, check whether the price includes the indoor module, controller, hot-water cylinder, auxiliary heater and hydraulic accessories.

Installation prices

One Chișinău supplier displayed the following starting prices for standard air-to-water installation:

These are published standard-installation prices, not guaranteed complete-system budgets. A hot-water cylinder, buffer tank, circulation pumps, expansion vessel, filters, valves, electrical protection, cables, pipe runs, outdoor base and modification of the existing system can all increase the total.

How much heating may cost

Energy sources must be compared using the same amount of useful heat. The following example does not predict the bill for a particular home; it illustrates the effect of efficiency.

Assumption: the home requires 10,000 kWh of useful heat during a heating season.

Calculation updated on 1 October 2026: we use Premier Energy’s universal-service low-voltage price of MDL 3.56/kWh excluding VAT and Energocom’s low-pressure gas price of MDL 24,202 per 1,000 m³ excluding VAT. Assumptions remain 10.64 kWh/m³ and 90% boiler efficiency.

Update on 1 October 2026: ANRE approved MDL 24.202/m³ excluding VAT, approximately MDL 26.14 including VAT, on 28 September, effective from 1 October. This is now the tariff in force. The previous MDL 18.798/m³ is retained in the table only for historical comparison.

At the tariffs effective from 1 October, the heat pump’s energy cost in this example is lower than gas if its actual seasonal efficiency exceeds approximately 1.41. The 1.81 threshold referred to the previous gas tariff. This comparison excludes VAT and is neither a bill forecast nor a payback period. Investment, financing, maintenance, hot water, auxiliary use, electric backup and system modifications must be assessed separately. Labelled SCOP does not guarantee the whole installation’s actual efficiency.

For an annual estimate, request modelling based on building heat loss and local temperatures rather than multiplying nominal output by 24 hours.

Monobloc or split

In a monobloc system, the refrigerant circuit is sealed within the outdoor unit and water or antifreeze flows into the house. Refrigeration work is simpler, but outdoor water pipes and freeze protection become critical during a power cut.

In a split system, refrigerant flows between the outdoor unit and an indoor module. The water circuit stays indoors, but the refrigerant pipework must be installed by qualified personnel. There is no universal winner: the decision depends on location, distances, freeze risk, plant-room space and the competence of the installation and service team.

What a quotation should include

A quotation that can be compared properly should state:

1. Heat-loss calculation or the assumptions used.
2. Exact model and output at sub-zero temperatures.
3. COP and SCOP at 35°C and 55°C.
4. Monobloc or split configuration and refrigerant type.
5. 230 V or 400 V supply, maximum electrical input and auxiliary-heater requirements.
6. Hot-water cylinder volume and assumed number of users.
7. Need for a buffer tank and the proposed hydraulic layout.
8. Freeze protection and behaviour during a power cut.
9. Sound level and distances from windows and neighbours.
10. Materials, installation, commissioning and workmanship warranty.
11. Who provides service and how quickly they respond in winter.

Where to compare suppliers in Chișinău

The Yell.md Heating and climate control category brings together shops and contractors selling or installing boilers, heat pumps, radiators and related equipment. Companies offering heat pumps include 4Elements, Climatec, Euroterm, GREE Moldova, Vivateh Grup, Eurosanteh and Cazan.md.

Ratings and reviews can help assess advice, installation and service, but they do not replace an engineering calculation. For equipment expected to operate for 15–20 years, spare-parts availability and winter response time matter as much as the purchase discount.

For an overview of boilers, district heating and other options, see Heating in Chișinău: what to choose and where to buy.

Frequently asked questions

Is an 8 kW heat pump enough for 100 m²?

Floor area alone is not enough to decide. It may be sufficient in a well-insulated house and too small in an older building. A heat-loss calculation and output check at the local design outdoor temperature are required.

Can a heat pump work with existing radiators?

Yes, if the radiators emit enough heat at the water temperature the heat pump can provide efficiently. Larger radiators, fan coils or a high-temperature model may be needed.

Is a backup heat source necessary?

It depends on the design and model. Some systems include an electric heater, existing boiler or another source for peak demand and emergencies. The design should specify the temperature or load at which backup heating starts.

Can the heat pump produce domestic hot water?

Air-to-water models can heat a domestic hot-water cylinder. The cylinder and controls may be integrated or purchased separately. Volume should be selected according to the number of occupants and simultaneous use, not only pump output.

How long is the payback period?

There is no universal answer. Total investment and annual running costs must be compared with the actual available alternative: gas, electricity, wood, pellets or upgrading the present system. A well-insulated house with underfloor heating and solar panels will produce a different result from an uninsulated house with small radiators.

Which documents should I request?

Ask for the exact model’s technical data sheet, energy label, warranty terms, proposed system diagram, sizing calculation, complete quotation and commissioning report. Establish who is responsible for the equipment and who is responsible for the installation.

Verified sources

• International Energy Agency: Ramping up Heat Pumps in Moldova: A Roadmap and The Future of Heat Pumps.
• European Commission information on energy labelling for space heaters.
• NIBE S2125 official page and technical data.
• ANRE current regulated natural-gas prices, Energocom’s 23 September request and ANRE’s 28 September public meeting.
• ANRE decision of 28 September 2026, effective from 1 October; electricity tariffs.
• Premier Energy electricity prices effective from 2 April 2026.
• Public offers from WATT, 4Elements and Aer-conditionat.md, checked on 26 September 2026.