What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a device that can provide heating, cooling and hot water for residential, commercial and industrial use.
Heat pumps take energy from the air, ground and water and turn it into heat or cool air.
Heat pumps are very energy efficient, and a sustainable way of heating or cooling buildings.
I’m planning to replace my gas boiler. Are heat pumps reliable?
Heat pumps are very reliable.
Plus, according to the International Energy Agency, they are three to five times more efficient than gas boilers. Around 20 million heat pumps are now used in Europe, and more will be installed to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
From the smallest units to large industrial installations, heat pumps operate through a refrigerant cycle which allows to capture and transfer energy from air, water and ground to provide heating, cooling and hot water. Due to its cyclical nature, this process can be repeated over and over again.
This is not a new discovery – yhe principle underlying the way heat pumps work goes back to the 1850s. Various forms of heat pumps have been operating for decades.
How environmentally friendly are heat pumps?
Heat pumps take most of the energy they need from the surroundings (air, water, the ground).
This means it is clean and renewable.
Heat pumps then use a small amount of driving energy, usually electricity, to turn the natural energy into heating, cooling and hot water.
This is one reason why a heat pump and solar panels is a great, renewable combination!
Heat pumps are expensive, aren’t they?
When compared to fossil-based heating solutions, heat pumps canstill be quite pricey at the moment of purchase, with averageupfront coststwo to four times higherthangas boilers.
However,this evens out over the lifetime of the heat pump due to their energy efficiency, which is three to five times higher than that of gas boilers.
This means that you could saveover€800per yearon your energy bill,according tothis recent analysis ofthe International Energy Agency(IEA).
EHPA calls for the price of electricity to beno more than doublethe price of gas.
We also support a carbonpriceandpolicy instrumentsthat shieldcitizensfrom electricity pricespikes are needed to helpconsumers choose clean heat over fossil fuels.
Read what else we see as vital to speeding up heat pump roll-out in the EU Heat Pump Accelerator.
Do heat pumps work when it’s freezing outside?
Heat pumps operate perfectly at temperatures well below zero. Even when the outside air or water feels ‘cold’ to us, it still contains huge amounts of useful energy.
Arecent studyfound that heat pumps can be successfully installed in countries with minimum temperatures above -10°C, which includes all European countries.
Air-source heat pumps move energy in the air from outside to inside, keeping the house warm even when it’s freezing outdoors. During the summer, they move hot air from inside to outside to heat the house.
On the other hand, ground-source heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the outside ground. Unlike the air, the temperature of the ground remains consistent throughout the year.
In fact, heat pumps are widely used in the coldest parts of Europe, satisfying 60% of the total heating needs of buildings in Norway and more than 40% in Finland and Sweden.
The three Scandinavian nations also have the highest number of heat pumps per capita in the world.
Do heat pumps also provide cooling?
Yes, they do! Despite their name, heat pumps can also cool.Think of it as a reverse process: in the cold season, heat pumps absorb heat from the chilly external air and transfer it inside. In the hot season, they release outside the heat pulled from warm indoor air, cooling your home or building. The same principle applies to refrigerators, which work in the same way as a heat pump to keep your food cool.
All of this makes heat pumps very convenient –home and business owners do not need to install separate equipment for heating and cooling.Not only does this save time, energy and money, but it also takes up less space.
I live in an apartment, can I still install a heat pump?
Any type of home, including high-rise buildings,is suitable for the installation of heat pumps, asthis UK studyshows.
EHPA has also gathered examples from across Europe of blocks of flats or multi-family buildings which use heat pumps. Read the fullreport.
Do I need to do renovation and/or installation work before installing a heat pump in my building?
It depends on a number of factors, including the building’s energy efficiency or thetype and size oftheheat pump you wish to install.
Making sure your home is well insulated and that there are no air leaks is a good way to start to improve the overall efficiency of your heating system and save on your bills.
Generally speaking, aheat pump will need to be connected to your home’s electrical system for power. If needed, it will also be connected to the air duct system todistributeits warm or cool air.Airsource heat pumpsarerelativelyeasy to install.Ground source heat pumps (also known as geothermal) need the installation of pipes into the ground.
It is also important to choose aheat pump that is properly sized for your home to ensure itperformsatoptimal efficiency.Specialised engineers and technicians will help you find the best solution for your needs and building type.
Can heat pumps be installed in buildings of historical interest?
Heat pumps are suitable for any type of building, if the existing heating or cooling system is compatible with them.
Whether or not they are allowed will depend on the rules applied – visually or structurally – to listed buildings and buildings of historical or cultural relevance.
Clearly, having a heat pump put in must always be part of a well-thought-out process, within the local rules and guidelines.
Wherever they are used, heat pumps can provide several benefits in terms of cost savings and increased energy efficiency. This makes buildings that need to be conserved for historical and cultural reasons more environmentally friendly.
Not convinced yet? Learn how heat pumps replaced gas heating in the historicalBath Abbey, inthe UK or read this brand-newHistoric England studyabout heat pumps in heritage buildings.
Can I have a heat pump if drilling is not possible where I live?
Yes,you can.Some heatpump types can be installed withoutdrilling holesintoyourwalls or floors.They can even be placed on your home’s exterior or garden and be connected to the existing ductwork. You simply need to ensure that there isenoughair supply.
Discover all thedifferent types of heat pumps and how they work.
Do I need to install underfloor heating to have a heat pump?
No, not necessarily.Heat pumps canwork on underfloor heatingsystems but can also work with radiators andconvectorsof all sizes.
Are heat pumps noisy?
The indoor part of a heat pump generally has sound levelsbetween 18 and 30 decibels– about the level of someone whispering.
Most heat pump outdoor units have a sound rating of around 60 decibels, equivalent to a moderate rainfall or normal conversation.
Do heat pumps require regular maintenance?
Just like all appliances, heat pumps requiresomeroutine maintenance.How often this is neededdepends on the type of heat pump installed and where it is located.
Enquireyour heat pump manufacturer or seller for advice andalways refer to a qualified technician or installerforassistance.
Will my energy bill increase if I install a heat pump?
According to theInternational Energy Agency(IEA), households that switch from a gas boiler to a heat pump save significantly on their energy bills, with averageannualsavings ranging from USD 300 in the United States to nearly USD 900 (€830)in Europe*.
This is because heat pumps are highly energy efficient.
To make heat pumps even more cost efficient for consumers, EHPA calls for governments to ensure the electricity price is no more than twice the price of gas.
Electric home heating paired with improved energy efficiency and smart system interaction for demand-responsive heating, could ‘reduce the annual consumer fuel cost, saving consumers up to 15% of the total fuel cost in single-family homes, and up to 10% in multi-occupancy buildings by 2040’according tothis studypublished by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC).
*Based on 2022 gas prices.
Will a heat pump help to reduce my home’s carbon footprint?
Heat pumps are critical for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. By 2020, fossil fuels had met more than 60% of global heat demand in buildings, accounting for 10% of global CO2 emissions.
In Europe, all the heat pumps connected by the end of 2022 avoided over 54 million tonnes of CO2 – about the annual emissions ofGreece.As more and more countries are scrappingfossil fuel heaters, heat pumps, powered with energy from clean and renewable sources, have the potential to reduce total Co2 emissions by at least 500 million tonnes by 2030, according to theInternational Energy Agency.
Besides improving air quality and slowing global warming, this would also address the issue of the cost and security of gas supplies highlighted by the current energy crisis.
Can heat pumps be used in industrial and manufacturing processes?
In industry, heat represents more than 60% of energy use.Industrial heat pumpscan produce renewable energy and recover waste heat, contributing to the EU’s climate and energy goals.
Currently, 37% of industrial processes use heat at temperatures below 200°C, suitable for heat pumps. More and more European businesses, which have been hit hard by recent rises in natural gas prices, are turning to heat pumps to reduce their carbon footprint, as required by EU directives, while efficiently consuming energy to manufacture their products.
In many cases, manufacturing powered by electricity instead of gas is already a reality, especially in the paper, chemical and food sectors.Mars Wrigley Confectionery,the world’s leading chocolatemanufacturer, uses heat pumps in itsDutch factory ofVeghel,savingenergyand reducing emissions to makeits notoriouscandies and chocolate bars.
How many heat pumps are there in Europe today?
Around 20 million heat pumps are installed in Europe. Heat pump sales have been steadily increasing every year.In 2022,salesrose by almost 39% (+3 million units installed) over 2021.
However, sudden policy changes, including stop-and-go subsidies and support schemes for buying a heat pump, andhigh electricity prices combined with inflation and increased cost of livinghave slowed down heat pump sales in the first quarter of 2023 in some EU countries,early market datashows.
This is why, EHPA advocates for more policy clarity in setting out measures to address barriers to heat pump growth.
These includecorrecting the electricity-to-gas price ratio, curbing subsidies to fossil fuel heating,providing clear information on the benefits of cleanenergy technologies to consumersas well astraining more installers and specialised workers.
Heat pumps can be used efficiently to provide 100% of a building’s heating, cooling and hot water demand.
From the smallest units that power nearly zero-emissions homes to large industrial installations, heat pumps are fit for purpose in new and renovated buildings as well as in industrial applications and district heating systems.
Learn more aboutbarriers and opportunitiesto heat pump deployment in Europe.
Discover our2023 Marker Report.
How many people work in the heat pump sector in Europe?
Currently 60% of heat pump manufacturing happens in Europe. Heat pump manufacturing in Europe happens in more than 170 sites, often small and medium enterprises located in rural/remote areas, with a turnover of €14.5 billion.
We estimate the total number of employees in the European heat pump industry (end 2021) to be nearly 117,000 people*.
This breaks down into heat pump manufacturing 37.4% (around 44k jobs); Installing 30.6% (36k jobs); component manufacturing 18.7% (22k jobs); service and maintenance 13.2% (15k jobs).
With REPowerEU’s ambitious heat pump roll-out targets – which according to EHPA’s calculations translate into 60 million more heat pumps being connected by 2030 – manymore skilled workers will be needed for every part of the heat pump process, from manufacturing to planning and installation.
Already today, EHPA calculates that we need around 500,000 more trained workers to cover the increase in overall demand. Currently, companies in the heat pump sector often struggle to recruit electricians, installers, technicians and specialisedworkers.
This is why EHPA is calling for EU support for skills development and training in the heat pump sector.
*Based on the number of working hours needed to install the different types of heat pumps and based on expert estimates on turn-over per employee.
What are the main challenges for the heat pump industry in 2023?
The European Commission published itsREPowerEUproposal in May 2022 to help cut EU gas imports as a response to the Russian war in Ukraine.
Its targets require the number of newly plugged-in heat pumps to double each year.EHPA estimates that this would lead to 20 million more heat pumps by 2026 and 60 million by 2030, up from about 20 million units today in Europe.
REPowerEU contains ambitious targets but lacks equally ambitious support measures for the heat pump sector. The suggested measures alone are too piecemeal to speed up EU wide deployment to reach those targets.What the sector needs is an ‘all hands on deck’ approach where all policy measures help the value chain work towards the targets.
To facilitate this, the European Commission announced a heat pump action plan to be published in 2024. To input the plan,EHPA and other organisations built an ‘accelerator’ document which identifies the barriers and solutions to foster Europe’s heat pump roll-out.
Learn more about policy recommendationsand theEU heat pump accelerator.
Learn more about the European Commission’sEU Heat Pump Action Plan.
Can I get financial help to buy and install a heat pump?
Today, over30 countriesworldwide offer financial incentives for heat pumps.These 30 countries combined represent more than 70% of the world’s current demand for heating.
Severalgovernments also give low-income households extra subsidies, as heat pumps can save households between 2% and 6% of their income on energy costs.
In Europe, nearly all countries offer some sort of subsidy for heat pumpsin new build homes, and some in renovated homes too.ReadEHPA’s reportonsubsidies and funding schemes for heat pumps across Europe.
Other countries have cutvalue-added tax (VAT) rates on renewable energy products, including heat pumps. Currently,16 EU Member States, plus Switzerland and the UK, have set a lower VAT rate on heat pumps.Some have also set a lower rate on electricity – a small amount of which is used by most heat pumps.
Find out more inEHPA’s reportonVAT on heat pumps and electricity in Europe.
How to determine the payback period of a heat pump?
For this, you need to calculate the operational cost of your heat pump per year.
EHPA has a tool that can help you with this!
WithMy Heat Pump, you can determine the cost of electrical power consumed by your heat pump annually and you can compare it with other sources of heat, like gas boilers, electric boilers or solid fuel boilers.
Link to the tool:https://myheatpump.ehpa.org/en/
Link to the video:https://youtu.be/zsNRV0dqA5o?si=_F3M8Qt0J2mqNFSd
