The Spanish Association of Air Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers (AFEC) has released its annual report on the 2024 HVAC market, highlighting a stagnant overall performance despite sectoral shifts. The report was presented at the Spanish Association for Standardisation (UNE) headquarters, with industry representatives and public administration officials in attendance.
Market Performance and Key Insights
According to AFEC, the overall HVAC market in Spain saw a minimal increase of 0.8% in value (sell-in). The air-handling unit (AHU) and heat recovery ventilation unit segment experienced the highest growth, rising by 19%. Meanwhile, the combined heat pump and air-conditioning sector remained almost unchanged compared to 2023, recording a slight decline of -0.1%.
Sectoral variations were evident, with a downturn in the residential market offset by growth in the commercial and industrial segments. Approximately 1.38 million residential units were sold, generating more than €850 million in revenue.
The heat pump market in Spain reported a 5.5% growth rate, comparable to Italy but significantly outperforming Germany and France, which saw declines of -47.8% and -24%, respectively, as per the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).
Ventilation equipment sales decreased in value by -1.9% in the residential sector and -1.1% in the industrial/tertiary sector. AFEC stressed the urgency of increasing awareness regarding ventilation, filtration systems, and their maintenance to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
Regulatory Landscape and 2025 Outlook
The report also reviewed the regulatory environment for 2024-2025, underlining the need for harmonisation of European legislation and market consolidation. It highlighted upcoming regulations affecting ventilation, air quality, refrigerants (new F-Gas rules), and energy efficiency incentives, such as white certificates (CAES).
A qualitative assessment of the regulation and control market pointed to increasing demand for smart HVAC systems, with technological advancements in metering, sensing, and IoT integration expected to drive market growth in 2025.
Looking ahead, AFEC identified several key trends, including the "legislative tsunami" in the European Union, evolving energy policies, and the role of digitalisation in HVAC. The session concluded with AFEC’s reaffirmation of its commitment to sustainability and energy transition, aligning with European objectives to enhance efficiency, comfort, and environmental health in buildings.