Many utilities offer special tariffs for heat pumps: discounted electricity in exchange for the right to briefly interrupt the heat pump during peak times (interruptible tariff with ripple control). Whether this is worthwhile depends on the discount, the block times, and your house. The basis has been newly regulated since 2026: such controls require a contract with clear conditions — and existing ripple controls can be cancelled in writing.
Key points in brief
- The classic HP tariff is a trade-off: cheaper electricity in exchange for short, predictable interruptions (block times).
- A well-insulated house with storage mass notices nothing from one to two hours of interruption — the inertia of the heat is your buffer.
- Since 2026, the following applies: new control accesses by the grid operator require a contract with regulated remuneration; existing ripple controls continue to run, but can be cancelled (opt-out by letter).
- The models differ significantly depending on the utility — reading the tariff sheet is more worthwhile than any rule of thumb.
- With a PV system, battery, and dynamic tariffs, a modern alternative to the classic block-time model is emerging.
Why are there special tariffs for heat pumps at all?
A heat pump is an interesting customer for the grid: it draws a substantial amount of electricity, but it is flexible — whether it heats now or in an hour makes hardly any difference to the house because buildings and water tanks store heat. Exactly this flexibility has been bought by utilities for decades: with discounted tariffs, in exchange for the right to briefly switch off the heat pump during grid peaks via ripple control.
A fair trade for both sides as long as the conditions are right: the grid smooths its peaks, you pay less per kilowatt-hour — and ideally notice nothing of the interruption.
How do block times work in practice?
The typical models (details vary significantly depending on the utility):
| Element | Typical configuration |
|---|---|
| Control | Ripple control receiver or smart meter control enables/blocks the HP |
| Block times | defined windows, e.g. during lunch or evening peaks |
| Duration | limited (e.g. a maximum of a few hours at a time) so that comfort is maintained |
| Counter-service | reduced working or grid tariff for the HP electricity |
| Metering | partly separate meter/measuring point for the heat pump |
Model overview, as of: July 2026 — the tariff sheet of your grid operator is decisive; the configuration differs considerably from utility to utility.
Whether block times are disruptive in everyday life is decided by the inertia of your system: An insulated house with underfloor heating easily bridges interruptions — the floor slab is a huge heat storage unit. More critical are poorly insulated houses with radiators and a tightly dimensioned system; in those cases, the block-time question belongs in dimensioning, not in the small print.
What has changed with the new law?
Since 1 January 2026, the old ripple control practice is on a new footing — three points are relevant for HP owners:
1. New control accesses require a contract. If the grid operator wants to control your heat pump in the future (newly), they must agree deployment, scope, and remuneration with you — flexibility fundamentally belongs to you. 2. Existing ripple controls continue to run — with an information obligation. Anyone who was already controlled before 2026 remains in the old model, but must be informed annually about the scope and conditions. 3. You have an opt-out. You can prohibit the continued use of the existing control in writing by letter. But beware: this usually also eliminates the tariff counter-service — only cancel the model if you have a better alternative.
The background to this reorganisation — who owns flexibility and what it is worth — is explained in more detail in the article Marketing flexibility.
Is the HP tariff worthwhile — or is there something better?
The honest answer: calculate instead of guess. The classic HP tariff is worthwhile if the discount is substantial and the block times match your house. It is less worthwhile if the utility offers only a token discount or if a separate meter with its own metering fee eats up the advantage — since metering costs are shown separately, you can at least see this item in black and white.
And there is a modern alternative that is increasingly competing with the old trade: PV + control. Anyone who runs the heat pump primarily with their own solar power (SG-Ready, energy management) and places residual electricity in cheap hours via dynamic tariffs in the future builds their own "economy tariff" themselves — without a block-time contract, but with their own intelligence. The two worlds are not mutually exclusive; which combination is best at your utility can be found in its tariff sheet — and in your load profile.
The checklist before choosing a tariff
1. Get the tariff sheet: Is there an HP / interruptible tariff? How big is the gap to the standard tariff really? 2. Read the block times: When, how often, how long? Does that match the insulation and heating distribution of your house? 3. Clarify the metering concept: Separate meter necessary? What does the metering fee cost — and is there still an advantage left afterwards? 4. Think ahead: Is the heat pump SG-Ready connected? Does it keep the door open to PV priority and dynamic tariffs?
In heating replacement projects, we regularly experience that the electricity tariff is looked at last — yet it determines a relevant part of the operating costs. Two patterns stand out: firstly, old ripple controls continue to run in many houses of which today's owners know nothing at all — a look into the fuse box and onto the tariff sheet creates clarity. Secondly, the separate HP meter is often ordered reflexively, even though the calculation with the metering fee and modern self-consumption setup no longer works out at all. Our rule: first plan the overall system — PV, control, tariff —, then decide on the meter.
Frequently asked questions
Do I notice the block times in everyday life?
In a reasonably insulated house with underfloor heating: practically never — the storage mass bridges short interruptions. More delicate are poorly insulated houses with a tight system; in those cases, the block-time question belongs in the planning.
Is the utility allowed to simply switch off my heat pump?
Only within the framework of an agreement (classically: the interruptible tariff with ripple control) — or exceptionally in the event of an immediate threat to grid operation. New control accesses have required a contract with regulated remuneration since 2026.
I have an old ripple control — do I have to keep it?
No: You can prohibit continued use in writing. Check beforehand what tariff advantage depends on it — an opt-out without a better alternative gives away money.
Do I need a separate meter for the HP tariff?
Depending on the utility and model. Calculate the metering fee of the additional meter against the tariff advantage — since 2026, metering costs have been transparently displayed, so the calculation is doable.
What is better: HP tariff or heat pump with solar power?
Not an either-or: solar power first (costs you the least), the remainder via the cheapest available tariff. Which combination wins depends on your utility and your profile — exactly that is what we calculate through in the consultation.
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During a heating replacement, we check tariff models, the metering concept, and the PV combination at the same time — so that the operating costs are right from the start. Free of charge and without obligation.
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Sources: ElCom (FAQ ES2050, Chap. 8 Flexibility), grid operator tariff sheets (models per utility), StromVV Art. 19b–19d.
Last updated: 9 July 2026 · Author: ecoEn editorial team
