The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has published data showing that sales of heat pumps have dropped in Europe while they have raised in the UK
Average UK heat pump sales saw an increase of 63% in hydronic heat pump sales, whereas 13 European countries saw an average drop of 23% in 2024.
The results have caused the EHPA to call for more certain policies in the UK to support this growth.
The report identifies three causes for the European decline
The EHPA has stated that changes in Government funding and support, the cost-of-living crisis, and the low subsidised price of gas. These causes have also caused 4,000 jobs in the industry being cut as the market declines.
The stats show that in 2024, 2m heat pumps were sold in the 13 European countries that make up 85% of the European market, compared to the 2.6m sold in 2023. In the UK, in 2023, 60,244 heat pumps were sold, with 2024 seeing an increase to 98,448.
The slashes in European jobs comes after efforts to invest in the industry in 2022 and 2023, as a result of reducing reliance on Russian gas as well as increase sustainability.
The countries that saw the largest drops were Belgium at a drop of 52%, and Germany with a drop of 48%. Government support was cited as the reason the UK saw an increase, highlighting the need for other countries to adopt supporting policies.
“Sector is down but far from out”
Paul Kenny, director general of the European Heat Pump Association, said: “The heat pump sector is down but far from out”, commented Paul Kenny, director general of the European Heat Pump Association.
“Consumers want clean heat and comfortable homes, and they want to support European jobs and energy independence. As soon as they can see it’s possible thanks to supportive EU and national policies, and taxes which penalise fossil fuels not people, they show this by turning to heat pumps.
“We count on the EU Commission and governments to deliver in the coming months, starting by putting heat pumps front and centre of the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal, and supporting European clean tech leadership.”
Charlotte Lee, chief executive of the EHPA, said: “The statistics from Europe highlight the important role of Government in providing policy certainty to support sustained heat pump market growth.
“In the UK, 2024 saw healthy growth in hydronic heat pump sales, in part due to stable policy support such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Energy Company Obligation, and an increasing number of heat pumps being installed in new build housing. However, to sustain and strengthen this level of growth and encourage further investment in UK manufacturing and in growing a skilled and competent workforce, there needs to be a clear, credible heat decarbonisation transition plan published by the Government which includes a detailed heat pump installation pathway, supported by policy and regulatory change.
“The swift publication of the Government’s response to the Future Homes and Building Standards consultation, regulation updates to implement the changes to permitted development rights for air source heat pumps along with meaningful action taken to reduce the price of electricity relative to gas are essential for supporting continued growth in the UK heat pump market.”
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