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Powering heat pumps
How to choose the right SPARK generator for powering a heat pump during a power cut?
Inverter generators with a pure sine wave and stable SPARK AVR generators are suitable for powering heat pumps during grid outages. When choosing, the key is to precisely match the number of phases (single-phase or three-phase system), correctly calculate the compressor's actual electricity consumption (because of the COP factor) and ensure an even load across the phases.
16 items
SPARK 8000iA
1,255.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6.5 kW
- Rated power
- 6 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 1× USB-A 5V and 1x USB-C 5 V, 1× DC 12 V/9 A car socket, 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 6000iA
1,570.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6 kW
- Rated power
- 5.5 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 2× 5 V USB-A, 1× DC 12 V/9 A car socket, 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 8000 DiA
2,095.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 V
- Max. power
- 6.5 kW
- Rated power
- 6 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A
SPARK 12000A
2,095.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 9.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric (key)
- Sockets
- 1× CEE 3P 230 V/63 A, 1× CEE 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 13000iA
2,995.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 10.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9.5 kW
- Engine start
- Manual + electric
SPARK 15000/3 AVR
2,995.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 11 kW
- Rated power
- 10 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (key)
- Sockets
- 2× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 9000 DiA
3,150.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 7.5 kW
- Rated power
- 7 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/16 A
SPARK 10000 DiA
4,195.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 9.5 kW
- Rated power
- 9 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button), 2-wire automatic start
- Sockets
- 1× Schuko 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/32 A, 1× 5P 400 V/16 A
SPARK 15000iA
5,395.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 13 kW
- Rated power
- 12 kW
- Engine start
- Electric (push-button)
- Sockets
- 1× USB-A 5V and 1x USB-C 5 V, 1× 3P 230 V/16 A, 1× 3P 230 V/63 A, 1× 5P 400 V/32 A
SPARK 20000iA
5,665.00 € incl. 22% VAT
- Voltage
- 230 / 400 V
- Max. power
- 18 kW
- Rated power
- 17 kW
- Engine start
- Electric
SPARK BD 27 kVA
Price on request
- Voltage
- 400 V
- Max. power
- 22 kW
- Rated power
- 20 kW
- Engine start
- Electric
SPARK BD 50 kVA
Price on request
- Voltage
- 400 V
- Max. power
- 40 kW
- Rated power
- 36 kW
- Engine start
- Electric
Key rules when choosing a generator for heat pumps
When sizing a backup generator for heating systems, users often make two critical mistakes: misunderstanding the rated heating output and ignoring the phase load.
- The difference between heating output and electricity consumption (COP factor)
- If your heat pump has a rated heating output of, say, 12 kW, that does not mean you need a 12 kW generator. Because of the coefficient of performance (COP/efficiency factor, often around 4 or 5), the compressor's actual electrical input is considerably lower. 12 kW of heating output at a factor of 5 means only about 2.4 kW of actual electricity consumption. You size the generator based on this electricity consumption, adding headroom for starting currents and other loads in the house.
- Single-phase or three-phase generator (watch the phase distribution)
- It is essential to check whether your heat pump is single-phase or three-phase. With three-phase generators, the total power is divided into three equal parts.
- Example calculation
- With a 9 kW three-phase generator, you have a maximum of 3 kW of continuous power available on each phase. If your three-phase heat pump with an actual consumption of 4.5 kW loads the system with 1.5 kW on each phase, you are left with only 1.5 kW of free power on each individual phase. If you connect, for example, an additional 2 kW induction hob to that same phase, you will overload the phase (1.5 kW + 2 kW = 3.5 kW > 3 kW). This triggers the overload protection, and frequent overloads can seriously damage both the generator and the connected devices.
Comparison table of models for heat pumps
Recommended SPARK models for heat pumps
To power heat pumps, you can use advanced inverter models with automation or reliable conventional AVR generators.
Petrol and diesel AVR generators (stabilised voltage)
A reliable and affordable choice for direct or switched power supply to buildings with heat pumps:
SPARK generator 12000A: Powerful petrol AVR generator, suitable for single-phase and smaller three-phase systems.
SPARK generator 15000/3 AVR: Extremely robust diesel AVR generator for more demanding households and larger heat pumps.
Petrol and diesel inverter generators with ATS connection
The best choice for modern heat pumps with sensitive control electronics and the option of automatic transfer during a grid outage:
SPARK generator 6000iA and SPARK generator 8000iA: An excellent petrol inverter choice for small to medium-sized single-phase heat pumps.
SPARK generator 8000 DiA and SPARK generator 9000 DiA: Economical diesel inverter models for longer operation during outages.
SPARK generator 10000 DiA: Powerful diesel inverter for larger residential buildings.
SPARK generator 13000iA, 15000iA with ATS and 20000iA: Powerful petrol systems for worry-free power to the whole house, including the heat pump.
Industrial diesel generators with Baudouin engines
For larger commercial heat pumps or multi-apartment buildings, we offer SPARK industrial generators:
SPARK 27, 50, 88, 110, 165 and 275 kVA with Baudouin engine: Professional solutions for the toughest conditions and continuous three-phase power.
Protect your home from the cold during power cuts
Contact our experts, who will help you calculate your heat pump's exact electricity consumption and choose the right generator model.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
No. 12 kW refers to the pump's heating output. Because of the efficiency factor (COP ~ 4–5), the compressor's actual electricity consumption is only around 2.4 to 3 kW. When choosing a generator, take this lower electrical power into account and add headroom for starting currents and other appliances.
Use the power calculatorA single-phase heat pump needs a single-phase generator or a suitable connection to one phase. For a three-phase heat pump, you definitely need a three-phase generator that provides even voltage on all three conductors.
With a three-phase generator, the total power is divided into 3 equal parts (e.g. a 9 kW generator has only 3 kW per phase). If you connect another powerful load (e.g. a 2 kW induction hob) to a phase that the heat pump is already loading with 1.5 kW, you will overload that phase, which can trip the protection or damage the generator.
No, high-quality SPARK AVR generators have advanced electronic voltage regulation that maintains a stable voltage for safe operation of heat pump motors and compressors. For extremely sensitive control electronics, however, inverter models remain the best choice.
By using models marked "A" or "ATS" (e.g. SPARK 15000iA with ATS), which start automatically via an automatic transfer switch when mains power fails, switch the power supply to the heat pump and shut down automatically when the grid returns.
Generators with ATS