New calculations from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) reveal that heat pumps are significantly reducing gas and carbon dioxide emissions in Europe. Currently, the 24 million installed heat pumps avoid 5.5 billion cubic metres of gas annually, equating to 1.6% of the EU’s total annual gas consumption.
These heat pumps also prevent 45 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which is around 4.9% of total EU emissions for buildings—equivalent to Hungary’s annual output. The EU's 2030 goal of 60 million installed heat pumps could potentially avoid 112 megatonnes of carbon emissions and 13.7 billion cubic metres of gas per year.
Despite these environmental benefits, heat pump sales have dropped. In the first half of 2024, just 765,000 units were sold in 13 European countries, marking a 47% decline compared to 1.44 million units sold during the same period last year. This slump is attributed to changing national policies, reduction in consumer support schemes, and slow declines in electricity prices compared to gas prices.
Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association, stressed the critical need for a shift away from fossil fuels: “There’s no future in fossil fuels – on economic, geopolitical or climate grounds. Both to ensure Europe’s long-term competitiveness and to eliminate coal, oil and gas in the heating and cooling sector we need to reverse the slowing heat pump market urgently."
Kenny also called for prompt action from the EU: “The new EU Commission should publish the long-awaited EU Heat Pump Action Plan, ensuring it supports manufacturing and training. What’s more, offering flexible electricity tariffs so households and businesses with heat pumps can choose to use power when it costs less, which would be good for consumers and the grid.”
Countries like Luxembourg see the most gas savings from heat pump installations, while Cyprus benefits the least. The climate benefits of heat pumps are notably strong in Austria due to varying energy and electricity mixes across different countries.
The European Heat Pump Association released this data in conjunction with the opening of its 2024 Heat Pump Forum in Brussels, highlighting the crucial role of heat pumps in decarbonisation and Europe’s clean tech leadership. Europe boasts a robust domestic industry with nearly 300 manufacturing sites dedicated to heat pumps.
