If you plan to install a heat pump that extracts energy from bedrock, soil or water, you may need to notify the municipality or apply for a permit. Here you can find information about requirements, the application process and what to consider before installation.

Heat pumps

If you plan to install a heat pump that extracts heat from bedrock, soil or water, you must notify the Building and Environment Committee (Bygg- och miljönämnden) in accordance with Section 17 of the Ordinance on Environmentally Hazardous Activities and Health Protection.

The purpose of the notification requirement is to ensure that the Building and Environment Committee is informed about planned heat pump installations and can issue decisions regarding precautionary measures. This helps prevent harm to the environment and protect human health. The Environmental Unit (Miljöenheten) has been delegated responsibility for processing heat pump notifications.

Water protection areas

Within water protection areas, a permit from the Building and Environment Committee (Bygg- och miljönämnden) is required before installing a heat pump system.

Drilling in terraced housing areas or urban areas

When drilling in densely populated areas, consideration must be given to future opportunities for neighbouring properties to install ground-source heat pumps. You therefore need to prepare a drilling plan showing potential future borehole locations for surrounding properties within a radius of 50 metres.

More information about heat pumps

If you have questions regarding the notification or permit process for heat pumps, please contact the Building and Environment Unit (Bygg- och miljöenheten).

What must be included in the notification?

The notification must be submitted well in advance of the installation. A complete notification can be processed more quickly. The Building and Environment Unit (Bygg- och miljöenheten) may take up to six weeks to process a complete heat pump notification.

Under the Swedish Environmental Code (Miljöbalken), it is prohibited to begin installation before the notification has been submitted and a permit or decision has been issued.

The notification must include a site plan showing:

• The proposed location of the borehole, pipes or collector loops
• Neighbouring properties
• Any drinking water wells
• Any wastewater systems within 50 metres of the borehole, pipes or collector loops

If the borehole is planned less than 10 metres from a property boundary, written consent from the affected neighbour must be included with the notification.

Choosing a suitable location

When drilling an energy well, the distance between the borehole and a wastewater system, including any treatment facility, should normally exceed 20–30 metres. The same recommended distance applies between a borehole and a private drinking water well.

The distance between two energy wells should generally be more than 20 metres. You should therefore also consider the location of any neighbouring energy wells or installations.

If the distance to a property boundary is less than 10 metres, written consent from the affected neighbour is required.

Decision and fee

It is prohibited to begin installation of the heat pump system before the notification has been submitted and a decision or permit has been issued.

If the Building and Environment Committee (Bygg- och miljönämnden) approves the notification, you will receive a decision containing conditions that must be followed. If the property is sold, the new owner must be informed of the decision.

Once the installation has been completed, the Environmental Unit (Miljöenheten) must be notified.

A processing fee is charged in accordance with the municipality’s tariff.

If a heat pump installation is carried out without notification or before a decision has been issued, the Building and Environment Committee (Bygg- och miljönämnden) is required to impose an environmental sanction charge under the Ordinance on Environmental Sanction Charges.

Prepare a drilling plan

A drilling plan can be used to demonstrate realistic borehole locations and help ensure that as many surrounding properties as possible will have the opportunity to install ground-source heating in the future.

When planning energy wells in densely built-up areas, consideration should be given to both existing and potential future wells within a radius of 50 metres. For existing energy wells, the actual distance should be measured. For potential future wells, the likely location, heat pump capacity and distance should be estimated.

It is recommended that you discuss the proposed borehole location with affected neighbours before submitting your application.