Wed Sep 25 04:30:14 UTC 2024: ## Heat Pump Sales Plunge in Europe, Industry Calls for Action
**BRUSSELS** – Heat pump sales in Europe have plummeted in 2024, falling back to 2019 levels, according to data from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA). The industry, once considered a key pillar in achieving climate neutrality and independence from Russian gas, is facing a major setback.
The EHPA’s new director, Paul Kenny, attributes the drop to several factors: a shortage of skilled installers, high electricity prices compared to gas, a complex customer journey, and the high upfront cost of heat pumps.
“The people who don’t have a heat pump and want a heat pump crash into the barrier of a really poor supply chain,” Kenny stated. He emphasizes the need to improve the perception and practicality of heat pumps, ensuring proper installation and affordable running costs.
Meanwhile, the industry is also facing stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers, who are gaining market share thanks to their large domestic market and aggressive innovation. While European manufacturers currently hold a 20% share in global heat pump production, this is projected to fall further in the coming years.
Kenny urges the European Union to take action to support European manufacturers and boost demand for heat pumps. He criticizes the German government’s proposed mandatory heat pump policy, which he believes was “a stupid, dangerous policy.” Instead, he advocates for government incentives and a more granular approach to promoting heat pumps.
“We need a huge amount of work on all the details in every country,” he stressed, promising detailed analysis on specific actions needed in each country to boost heat pump adoption.
Kenny remains optimistic about the new European Commission’s commitment to supporting clean energy solutions, noting that he has had positive discussions with key officials who do not see gas deals as a long-term solution.
The future of the European heat pump market hangs in the balance, and the industry is counting on policymakers to take concrete steps to address the current challenges and pave the way for a cleaner energy future.
First Piper 