The Dutch government plans to make smart hybrid heat pumps the standard when homeowners replace their gas boilers from 2029. The requirement will apply to homes that are not connected, and will not be connected, to district heating networks. The measure is part of the government’s strategy to reduce natural gas consumption and move towards fossil gas-free heating by 2050.
According to the government, homes equipped with hybrid heat pumps use an average of 65% less gas for heating and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30%. From 2029, all newly installed hybrid heat pumps will also need smart functionality, allowing them to adjust heating operations according to electricity grid demand and lower electricity prices.
Alongside the announcement, the Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) published NTA 8171, a Dutch Technical Agreement establishing requirements for smart heat pump installations. The document covers communication between heat pumps, control systems and other components of the energy system. It provides a common technical framework for manufacturers, installers, energy companies and grid operators to enable interoperability between equipment from different suppliers.
The government is working with property owners, landlords, installers, heat pump manufacturers and municipalities to develop the 2029 requirements. Financial support is already available through the Investment Subsidy for Sustainable Energy and Energy Savings (ISDE) and the National Heat Fund. Industry participants are also working to reduce installation costs and ensure sufficient installation capacity.
Hybrid heat pumps are intended as an intermediate step towards heating buildings without natural gas by 2050. The government notes that fully electric heat pumps are already an option for homes where installation is feasible. NTA 8171 is freely accessible through the NEN website.
