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.
Almost 30 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 collect heat from the air, ground or water and use electricity to transfer it into a building. Because they move heat rather than generate it by burning fuel, they use much less energy than fossil fuel boilers.
They also reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, strengthening Europe’s energy security and reducing exposure to volatile gas prices. According to EHPA’s 2026 analysis, Europe’s heat pumps provide heat equivalent to the liquefied natural gas carried by over 200 tankers — twice the amount imported into the EU from the Middle East in 2025. This avoided an estimated €9.7 billion in gas import costs that year.
Buying and installing a heat pump can cost more upfront than replacing a gas boiler. The cost depends on the heat pump, the building and any changes needed to the existing heating system. Subsidies, grants and tax reductions can help make this initial investment more affordable. Check which schemes are available in your country or region.
Heat pumps’ high energy efficiency can make them cheaper to run and competitive over their lifetime. However, savings depend on system performance and the electricity-to-gas price ratio – how much electricity costs compared with gas. When electricity is disproportionately expensive, it can limit savings despite the heat pump’s greater efficiency.
EHPA’s analysis shows that stable subsidies and lower electricity taxes help boost heat pump sales. This is why we call for predictable financial support and electricity prices no more than twice those of gas to make clean heating and cooling affordable for more households.
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.
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.
See EHPA’s publication “Cooling matters: the other side of heat pumps”.
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.
Heat pumps use much less energy to deliver the same amount of heat. Whether this translates into lower bills depends on your system’s efficiency and local electricity and fuel prices. EHPA’s recent analysis highlights how high taxes and levies on electricity can impact these savings.
Smart controls and flexible tariffs can help reduce costs further by allowing your heat pump to use more electricity during cheaper periods while maintaining comfort.
Before installation, ask for a running-cost estimate based on your home’s heating needs, current tariffs and the expected performance of the proposed system.
Yes. Replacing a gas or oil boiler with a heat pump can substantially reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating your home. As electricity generation becomes cleaner, the climate benefits increase.
Heat pumps also reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. According to EHPA’s 2026 analysis, Europe’s heat pumps provide heat equivalent to the liquefied natural gas carried by over 200 tankers — twice the amount imported into the EU from the Middle East in 2025. This avoided an estimated €9.7 billion in gas import costs that year, strengthening Europe’s energy security alongside the climate benefits.
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, and food and beverage.
See EHPA’s Heat BIG webinar series on industrial heat pumps.
EHPA’s 2026 market data puts the installed stock at around 29.3 million heat pumps at the end of 2025, across 21 European countries covered.
See our market intel platform for the latest figures and details of the countries included.
Currently, more than 80% of air-to-water heat pumps installed in Europe are made in Europe.
Manufacturing happens at 300+ sites, as our map shows, providing more than 433,000 direct and indirect jobs.
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.
EHPA calls for stable incentives, fairer energy taxation, investment in European manufacturing and training, and better use of heat pumps’ flexibility to lower running costs.
The European Commission’s Electrification Action Plan, published in July 2026, provides an opportunity to address these barriers, accelerate clean heating and cooling, and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Many European countries and regions offer financial support for buying and installing heat pumps. Depending on where you live, this may include grants, tax reductions or loans.
Eligibility can depend on household income, the building, the equipment chosen and the heating system being replaced. Schemes and funding levels change, so check the latest information from your national or regional authority before committing to an installation.
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
