Aerothermal heating with underfloor heating is the most efficient climate control system for a complete renovation in 2026: a heat pump extracts energy from the air and the underfloor heating distributes it, heating in winter and cooling in summer with very low energy consumption. Installation costs between €7,000 and €25,000 depending on the property, saves up to 60-65% compared to gas or oil, and pays for itself in around 5-6 years. The ideal time to install it is during the renovation, when the floors are being removed.
If you're undertaking a complete renovation, there's one decision that will last for twenty years: how you're going to heat and cool your home. And here, aerothermal systems with underfloor heating have overtaken all other options for a simple reason: they use very little energy and the difference in comfort is noticeable every day. The trick is to install it once the renovation work has already begun.
What is aerothermal heating with underfloor heating?
Aerothermal heating with underfloor heating is a climate control system that combines an aerothermal heat pump, which harnesses energy from the outside air, with a network of pipes under the floor that distributes that energy throughout the home. It provides heating in winter and cooling in summer, all with a single unit.
It's the combination of two highly efficient technologies. Aerothermal energy generates heat or cold using very little electricity, and underfloor heating distributes it evenly and silently, without visible radiators or split systems. That's why it fits so well into a complete renovation, where you can redesign the entire house from scratch, as we explain in ecological and sustainable reforms.
How does aerothermal heating with underfloor heating work in a home?
Aerothermal systems with underfloor heating work by circulating low-temperature water through pipes in the floor: warm (between 30 and 40°C) in winter and cool (between 16 and 18°C) in summer. The heat pump only needs to move the water at these moderate temperatures, which requires significantly less energy than a traditional system.
That's the key to savings. An air conditioner has to cool the water to 7°C; radiant floor cooling works with water at 16-20°C, so the energy expenditure is much lower. The result is a uniform temperature throughout the house, without drafts or noise. The energy consumed by the heat pump is multiplied: for every kWh of electricity, it delivers between 3 and 4 kWh of heat, according to data from the IDAE.
Why install aerothermal heating and underfloor heating in a complete renovation?
The best time to install an air source heat pump with underfloor heating is during a complete renovation, because underfloor heating requires lifting the existing flooring and slightly raising the floor level. Doing it while the construction is already underway avoids rework and significantly reduces installation costs.
Installing underfloor heating in an existing home means tearing up all the floors, a destructive task that's already been done in a renovation. Therefore, if you're going to replace the floors anyway, the added cost of the underfloor heating system is much lower than it seems. It's one of those decisions that only makes economic sense if made early on, when planning the renovation. The same applies to the home automation in renovations, which should be wired while the work is underway.
How much does it cost to install an aerothermal system with underfloor heating in a renovation project?
Installing an air source heat pump with underfloor heating during a renovation costs between €7,000 and €25,000 in 2026, depending on the size of the home and whether new underfloor heating is installed. Underfloor heating alone costs around €35-€50 per square meter, and the air source heat pump makes up the bulk of the system.
| Type of housing | Aerothermal system with existing emitters | Aerothermal heating + new underfloor heating |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment of 70-90 m² | €7,000 – €10,000 | €11,000 – €15,000 |
| 120 m² house | €9,000 – €12,000 | €15,000 – €20,000 |
| Chalet of 200 m² | €14,000 – €18,000 | €22,000 – €29,500 |
These figures are before applying subsidies, which can significantly reduce the investment. It's advisable to include the system within the overall reform budget to see it in context, as we detail in How much does a complete renovation cost?.
How much can you save with aerothermal heating and underfloor heating?
With aerothermal heating and underfloor heating, you can save up to 60% on your energy bill compared to a natural gas boiler and up to 65% compared to heating oil. In a 150 m² house, the savings can be around €1,400 per year, which recoups the investment in about 5-6 years and results in accumulated savings of tens of thousands of euros in the long term.
Savings depend heavily on the home's insulation: a well-insulated house gets the most out of the system, while one with heat leaks through windows or the facade wastes it. That's why aerothermal energy and insulation go hand in hand in a serious renovation. Reference consumption is around 80-120 kWh/m² per year, depending on the insulation.
Does underfloor heating keep you cool in Mallorca during the summer?
Yes, radiant floor cooling cools the home in summer by circulating cool water at 16-18°C through pipes under the floor, gently and quietly lowering the ambient temperature. It's especially useful in Mallorca, where summers are long and hot and quiet comfort is highly valued.
It doesn't replace air conditioning during an extreme heat wave, but it keeps the house cool with minimal energy consumption for most of the summer. Many homes in Mallorca combine radiant floor cooling with additional equipment in the rooms most exposed to the sun.
What subsidies are available for installing aerothermal systems in 2026?
In 2026, aerothermal energy has several combinable subsidies: grants from rehabilitation programs of Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda these incentives can cover a significant portion of the investment, offer an income tax deduction of up to 40% for energy efficiency improvements, and provide a reduced VAT rate of 10% for homes older than two years. It is one of the systems with the best support coverage on the market.
These subsidies overlap with the energy rehabilitation programs that we detail in grants and subsidies for home renovations in the Balearic Islands. To apply for these benefits, you need to provide proof of energy savings with the corresponding certificate, something that the aerothermal installation itself facilitates by improving the home's energy rating. The deduction conditions are detailed in the Tax Agency.
When is it NOT advisable to install aerothermal heating with underfloor heating?
Underfloor heating isn't advisable if you're not going to be working on the existing floors: if the renovation is partial and the flooring isn't being removed, the cost of demolishing the entire house will drastically increase the budget and make it unfeasible. In that case, an air source heat pump with low-temperature radiators or fan coils is a more reasonable alternative.
It's also not worthwhile in a poorly insulated home if the building envelope isn't also improved: the system would be under strain and the expected savings wouldn't materialize. And in second homes used only occasionally, the thermal inertia of underfloor heating, which takes time to heat up, works against it. We can help you assess whether it makes sense in your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions about aerothermal heating and underfloor heating in a renovation
Is it possible to install underfloor heating without a complete renovation?
Underfloor heating can be installed without a complete renovation, but it requires removing all the existing flooring in the rooms where it's installed, which in practice amounts to a significant construction project. Therefore, it makes sense to install it when you're already planning to replace the flooring. If you're not going to touch the floors, an air source heat pump with low-temperature radiators is a simpler option.
How much does aerothermal heating with underfloor heating cost in a 90 square meter apartment?
Installing an aerothermal system with underfloor heating in a 90 m² apartment costs approximately between €11,000 and €15,000 in 2026, before any subsidies are applied. If the apartment already has compatible radiators and only the heat pump is installed, the price drops to €7,000-€10,000. The final cost depends on the insulation and the required power output.
Does aerothermal heating with underfloor heating work for both heating and air conditioning?
Yes. Aerothermal systems with underfloor heating provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer with a single unit, circulating hot or cold water through the floor depending on the season. The cooling is gentle and quiet, although during extreme heat waves it is often combined with supplemental air conditioning in the hottest rooms.
How many years does it take to recoup the investment in aerothermal heating with underfloor heating?
Aerothermal heating with underfloor heating typically pays for itself in around 5-6 years thanks to energy bill savings, which can reach 60-65% compared to gas or oil. The subsidies and tax breaks available in 2026 shorten this period, and from then on, the savings are net for the entire lifespan of the system, which exceeds 20 years.
Are you renovating and want to properly climate control your home? Let's talk
If you're planning a complete renovation in Mallorca, now's the time to decide on air conditioning: installing it while construction is underway is much cheaper. We are a Energy-efficient renovation company in Mallorca , with a fixed labor price, warranty, and 100% financing. We coordinate the aerothermal system and underfloor heating within your renovation so that everything fits together perfectly. Book your appointment here or write to us from contact, and learn about the full scope in comprehensive reforms in Mallorca.
This content is for guidance only and does not replace a technical study of the installation adapted to your home.
