China releases action plan to boost heat pump sector development

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has issued a new action plan to promote the high-quality development of the heat pump industry. The plan outlines strategic goals and key actions to support energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and foster a low-carbon economy.

According to the document, China aims to significantly enhance heat pump production and R&D capabilities by 2030. It targets a 20% improvement in energy efficiency for key products and technological breakthroughs in high-capacity and high-temperature heat pumps, compressors, and refrigerants. The plan also highlights the expansion of applications across buildings, industry, agriculture, and transport.

In the building sector, the plan promotes the use of air-source heat pumps in cold and hot-summer/cold-winter regions and encourages scalable adoption of ground and water-source heat pumps. It supports replacing coal-fired systems with heat pumps in public buildings and residential areas, with a gradual reduction in electric auxiliary heating. In industry, the focus is on using heat pumps to recover waste heat in sectors like petrochemicals, textiles, food processing, and ceramics. Agricultural use cases include drying of crops, wood, and medicinal herbs, while the transport sector is encouraged to adopt heat pump systems for infrastructure and electric vehicle thermal management.

The plan also calls for upgrading inefficient heat pump systems, particularly those over 10 years old, through component replacement and system optimization. Emphasis is placed on integrating heat pumps with existing energy sources and improving recycling and disposal of old equipment.

To improve manufacturing, the plan supports the adoption of digital tools, intelligent production, and component integration. It prioritizes the development of heat pumps with low global warming potential refrigerants, particularly natural refrigerants and HFOs. The strategy includes measures to reduce refrigerant leakage and promote recycling.

Operational efficiency is also addressed through smart maintenance, enhanced data monitoring, and professional training. The plan encourages enterprises to shift from equipment suppliers to system integrators and to strengthen service systems.

Further R&D is supported in areas such as transcritical CO2 heat pumps, high-power models, low-noise and defrosting technologies, and multi-energy integration. National innovation platforms are expected to play a key role in accelerating industrial adoption.

Policy support includes financial incentives, green tax policies, and promotion of heat pump technologies listed in national catalogs. The government also aims to integrate heat pump planning into regional heating strategies and ensure access to energy infrastructure.

The plan promotes the development of a complete standard system covering efficiency, design, installation, maintenance, and carbon footprint. It calls for expanded energy labeling and international collaboration on heat pump definitions, efficiency standards, and certification.

Implementation will be coordinated by several national ministries, with regional governments encouraged to develop supporting policies and projects. The plan underscores the role of industry associations in guiding market behavior and improving public awareness.