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.
Heat pumps are very reliable.
Plus, according to the International Energy Agency, they are three to five times more efficient than gas boilers.
More than 25 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 – the principle underlying the way heat pumps work goes back to the 1850s. Various forms of heat pumps have been operating for decades.
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!
When compared to fossil-based heating solutions, heat pumps can still be quite pricey at the moment of purchase, with average upfront costs two to four times higher than gas 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 save over €800 per year on your energy bill, according to this analysis of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
EHPA calls for the price of electricity to be no more than double the price of gas.
We also support a carbon price and policy instruments that shield citizens from electricity price spikes are needed to help consumers choose clean heat over fossil fuels.
Read what else we see as vital to speeding up heat pump roll-out in our policy pages.
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.
A recent study found 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.
On the other hand, ground-source heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the outside ground.
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.
Yes, they do! Despite their name, heat pumps can also cool. The same principle applies to refrigerators.
Home and business owners do not need to install separate equipment for heating and cooling.
Any type of home, including high-rise buildings, is suitable for the installation of heat pumps, as this UK study shows.
EHPA has also gathered examples. Read the full report.
It depends on factors like building efficiency and the type/size of heat pump.
Make sure your home is well-insulated.
Generally speaking, a heat pump will need to be connected to your home’s electrical system.
Specialised engineers and technicians will help you find the best solution.
Heat pumps are suitable for any type of building, if the existing system is compatible.
Whether or not they are allowed will depend on the rules applied.
Not convinced yet? Learn how heat pumps replaced gas heating in the historical Bath Abbey, in the UK or read this brand-new Historic England study.
Yes, you can. Some heat pump types can be installed without drilling holes.
Discover all the different types of heat pumps and how they work.
No, not necessarily. Heat pumps can work on underfloor heating systems but can also work with radiators and convectors of all sizes.
The indoor part is usually around 18–30 dB (whisper level). Most outdoor units are ~60 dB (moderate rainfall/normal conversation).
Just like all appliances, heat pumps require some routine maintenance.
Enquire with your manufacturer/seller and refer to a qualified technician or installer.
Heat pumps are highly energy efficient.
According to this study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), based on 2022 energy prices, households that switch from a gas boiler to a heat pump can save significantly on their energy bills.
Heat pumps are critical for reducing GHG emissions.
In Europe, all the heat pumps installed in 2024 avoid 45 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in Europe every year.
This is around 4.9% of total EU emissions for buildings, and the same amount as Hungary’s annual output.
In industry, heat represents more than 60% of energy use.
Industrial heat pumps can already reach temperatures of up to 180-200°C, replacing oil and gas. They are already being used in industries like paper and pulp, wood, dairy, fruits, vegetables, paint, food, and textiles.
Learn more here.
Around 25.5 million heat pumps are currently installed in Europe.
See our market report to learn more.
Currently, up to 73% of heat pumps installed in Europe are made in Europe. Manufacturing happens in 300+ sites, as our new map shows, providing around 433,000 direct and indirect jobs.
With REPowerEU targets — see EHPA’s calculations — many more skilled workers will be needed. This is why EHPA is calling for EU support for skills development and training.
To support the uptake of heat pumps and clean heating and cooling technologies, it’s necessary that they become more competitive than fossil fuel systems.
One way to make this happen is by reducing the electricity-to-gas price ratio.
Other ways include bringing the VAT to 0% on clean tech, implementing stable policies and establishing clear incentive schemes to boost market and consumer confidence.
Learn more here.
Today, over 30 countries worldwide offer financial incentives for heat pumps.
Read EHPA’s report on subsidies and funding schemes.
For this, you need to calculate the operational cost.
EHPA has a tool that can help you with this!
Learn more about My Heat Pump and how it works.
Yes, there is!
Heat Pump Day takes place every year on 21 October.
Learn more about the activities how you can join on www.heat-pump-day.org
