ESC Heat Pump: get 3,500 € for installing an air-source heat pump
Find out how to generate Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs) when installing a heat pump. On average 3,500 € per home, compatible with regional grants and income tax deductions.
Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs) are titles that certify the energy savings generated by replacing a conventional heating system (gas boiler, oil boiler or electric resistance heater) with an air-source heat pump. In Spain, regulated by Real Decreto 36/2023, they allow you to obtain between 800 and 5,000 € per installation. They are compatible with regional subsidies, Next Generation funds and IRPF tax deductions.
If you have installed — or are thinking of installing — a heat pump in your home, you can monetise that energy saving. And if you completed the installation some time ago, you can still claim: ESCs have retroactivity of up to 3 years (since March 2023).
Amount
800 € to 5,000 €
Per heat pump installation
Retroactivity
3 years
Since March 2023
Compatible
100 %
Grants, income tax & Renove Plan
How much can I get for my heat pump installation?
The amount from ESCs for installing a heat pump ranges between 800 and 5,000 € per dwelling. The average is around 3,500 €, although the exact amount depends on several factors:
- The type of heat pump installed (air-to-water, air-to-air or DHW only).
- The system being replaced: an oil boiler generates more certifiable savings than a natural gas boiler, and both more than an electric resistance heater.
- The climate zone of your dwelling: the colder the climate, the greater the heating demand and the greater the certified savings.
- The floor area of the dwelling: more square metres means more replaced consumption and a higher ESC value.
At CAE Market we provide you with a free valuation with the exact amount for your specific case.
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Which equipment is eligible?
Not all heat pump installations generate ESCs. These are the systems that do qualify:
- Air-to-water heat pump (heating + domestic hot water): this is the most common type and generates the highest ESC value, as it completely replaces the existing boiler.
- Air-to-air heat pump: eligible, although the certifiable savings are usually lower because it does not cover domestic hot water production.
- DHW heat pump (domestic hot water only): also eligible, ideal when heating is already efficient but DHW relies on an old boiler.
Equipment that is not eligible:
- Installations in new builds: ESCs only apply to the replacement of an existing, less efficient system.
- Portable equipment or systems without a fixed installation.
- Systems without the required technical certification or installed by unauthorised professionals.
Requirements to generate ESCs with your heat pump
What you need to obtain ESCs with your heat pump:
- The installation must demonstrably improve energy efficiency.
- It must normally replace a previous, less efficient system or equipment.
- The measure must be eligible under the ESC scheme.
- The applicable regulations must be met.
- The installation must be located in Spain.
- You must have all the technical and supporting documentation.
ESCs are fully compatible with regional grants, Next Generation funds and personal income tax deductions for energy renovation.
Is it compatible with other grants? ESCs vs regional subsidies
Yes. ESCs are fully compatible with the main public grants for heat pump installation. Here is the comparison:
| Grant | Approximate amount | Compatible with ESCs | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESCs | 800–5,000 € | — | Replace boiler with heat pump, COP ≥ 3.0 |
| Regional subsidies (Next Generation) | Up to 3,000 € | Yes | Primary residence, prior energy certificate |
| IRPF renovation tax deduction | 20–60 % (max. 15,000 €) | Yes | Certified reduction in energy demand |
| Boiler replacement scheme | Variable | Yes | Replacement of old boiler with efficient system |
| Maximum combined savings: over 10,000 € | |||
This means you can combine ESCs with all of these grants to drastically reduce the cost of your heat pump installation. In some cases, the combined savings exceed 60 % of the total cost.
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What documentation do I need?
The required documentation is straightforward. Here it is broken down by category:
Old system (boiler or resistance heater):
- Photographs of the replaced equipment.
- Brand, model and output (if available).
- Energy bill history (gas or oil) for the last 12 months.
New installation (heat pump):
- Purchase and installation invoice.
- Technical data sheet for the equipment (including COP and rated output).
- RITE installation certificate.
- Authorised installer certificate.
Personal documentation:
- DNI or NIE of the holder.
- Bank account ownership certificate.
At CAE Market we handle all the paperwork. You simply provide us with the basic information and we take care of the rest.
Can I still claim if I have already installed a heat pump?
Yes. ESCs have a retroactivity period of up to 3 years. This means that if you installed a heat pump from March 2023 onwards, you are still in time to generate and monetise the certificates.
Many homeowners are unaware of this right and leave thousands of euros unclaimed. If you have already completed the installation, do not miss the opportunity: the deadline is running and the value of ESCs fluctuates with the market.
How to monetise your heat pump ESCs with CAE Market
The process to monetise the ESCs from your heat pump installation with CAE Market is completed in 3 steps and takes between 4 and 8 weeks. There is no upfront cost:
Let us know about the heat pump you have installed and the heating system you have replaced. We give you a free valuation in under 24 hours.
We handle the technical documentation, verification by an ENAC-accredited body and the sale of the ESCs to the Obligated Subjects.
We transfer the amount directly to your bank account.
Frequently asked questions
What is a heat pump ESC?
It is an Energy Saving Certificate generated when a conventional heating system (gas boiler, oil boiler or electric resistance heater) is replaced by an air-source heat pump. It certifies the energy savings produced by the change and can be sold on the ESC market to the Obligated Subjects (large energy retailers).
How much money can I get?
Between 800 and 5,000 € per installation, depending on the type of heat pump, the system replaced, the climate zone and the floor area of the dwelling. The average is around 3,500 €. At CAE Market we provide you with an exact, free valuation.
Are air-to-air heat pumps eligible?
Yes, air-to-air heat pumps are eligible to generate ESCs. However, the amount is usually lower than with air-to-water systems, as the certifiable energy savings are smaller since they do not cover domestic hot water production.
Do I need to decommission my old boiler?
The old system must be replaced by the air-source heat pump. The heat pump must be the primary heating or DHW system of the dwelling. It is not necessary to keep the old boiler, but its prior existence must be documented.
Is it compatible with regional subsidies (Next Generation)?
Yes. ESCs are fully compatible with regional subsidies, Next Generation funds (PRTR), IRPF tax deductions for energy renovation and boiler replacement schemes. You can combine all of these grants without any issue.
How long does the process take?
The full process usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks from the moment you send us the documentation. We keep you informed at every step of the process.
What minimum COP does my heat pump need?
A seasonal COP (SPF) equal to or greater than 3.0 is required. This figure appears on the technical data sheet provided by the manufacturer. Most heat pumps currently on the market meet this requirement.
Can I generate ESCs if I installed my heat pump over a year ago?
Yes. ESCs have retroactivity of up to 3 years. If you installed a heat pump after March 2023 and replaced a conventional heating system, you can still generate and monetise the certificates.
Is there any cost to me?
There is no upfront cost whatsoever. CAE Market works on a success basis: we only charge a commission if you receive payment for your ESCs. If the certificate is not generated, you pay nothing.
Can a residents' association apply for ESCs for a centralised heat pump system?
Yes. Homeowners' associations can generate ESCs for the replacement of centralised boilers with heat pump systems. CAE Market manages multi-dwelling projects and can process all the certificates collectively.
Does a heat pump always generate an ESC?
Not always. For a heat pump installation to be eligible, it must replace a pre-existing, less efficient heating or DHW system, the installation must be correctly documented and the regulatory deadlines for filing the application must be met. CAE Market checks these criteria free of charge before proceeding.
Which previous system yields the highest savings?
In general, replacing an oil or natural gas boiler with a heat pump generates the greatest efficiency differential and therefore the highest certifiable savings. Replacing electric resistance heaters is also eligible, although the differential is usually smaller. We calculate the specific amount for each case.
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