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January 24, 2025
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Welcome to ASHRAE's European Policy and Funding Update! This monthly publication features information on policy and funding-related activities of interest to ASHRAE members in Europe. Archives of previous updates are available from the
ASHRAE European Policy and Funding Updates webpage. |
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European Parliament Briefing on Clean Tech in the Energy Sector
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On 16 January, the European Parliament issued a briefing giving an overview of the current state of play on clean tech in the energy sector. As of January 2025, heat pumps are a central focus of the EU's clean technology strategy, playing a key role in decarbonizing heating, cooling, and hot water systems. The sector employs around 168,000 people across more than 250 European manufacturing sites, with over 24 million heat pumps installed by the end of 2023. Under the REPowerEU plan, the EU aims to expand this number to 41.5 million by 2030.
Despite robust domestic demand, the EU remains a net importer of heat pumps, signaling a need for enhanced manufacturing capacity. The Net-Zero Industry Act sets an ambitious target for the EU to meet 40% of its annual deployment needs domestically by 2030. Key challenges include reliance on imported components and raw materials, high energy prices, and a competitive global market. Upcoming initiatives like the Clean Industrial Deal aim to address these barriers by fostering investment, streamlining
regulatory procedures, and bolstering skills development in the clean tech sector.
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REHVA Publishes Model IEQ Regulation Aligning with New Provisions of the 2024 EPBD Recast
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On 7 January, REHVA published the technical report: "Model Indoor Environmental Quality Regulation Aligning with New Provisions of the 2024 EPBD Recast". The 2024 recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) emphasizes the role of heat pumps as a cornerstone for achieving optimal indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Under Article 13, Member States are tasked with ensuring adequate IEQ in both residential and non-residential buildings, including provisions for thermal comfort and ventilation supported by heat
pump technology. Key provisions include:
- Heat pumps are identified as an energy-efficient solution to meet thermal comfort criteria, especially in maintaining room temperatures within the optimal range defined by EN 16798-1:2019.
- Integration with building automation and control systems (BACS) ensures heat pumps contribute to dynamic temperature control and energy efficiency.
- In zero-emission non-residential buildings, heat pumps can complement demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems, ensuring continuous monitoring and optimal performance in line with IAQ standards.
The EPBD and associated Level(s) framework position heat pumps as integral to reducing energy use while ensuring occupant comfort, signaling their importance in future regulatory compliance and IEQ advancements.
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REHVA Publishes the December Edition of its HVAC Journal
| On 19 December, REHVA published its monthly HVAC Journal. The December 2024 issue of the REHVA European HVAC Journal emphasizes the critical role of HVAC systems in achieving EU climate and energy goals, particularly under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Key topics include the integration of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) metrics—thermal comfort, air quality, acoustic, and visual comfort—into building standards, with heat pumps highlighted as essential for decarbonization. The issue explores advancements
in European and international standards (e.g., EN 16798-1 and ISO 7730) for thermal environments, ventilation, and air quality, alongside challenges like ensuring energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and health. It also stresses the need for enhanced measurement technologies, adaptive thermal comfort approaches, and sustainability-driven HVAC innovations, aligned with EU initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus and the Net-Zero Industry Act.
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Greece Starts EUR 223 Million Program to Support Solar Heaters and Heat Pumps
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Greece has introduced a €223.2 million support program to promote the adoption of green heating systems, including rooftop solar heaters and heat pumps, as part of the RePowerEU initiative and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0. Financed by the EU’s NextGenerationEU package for post-pandemic economic recovery, the program provides subsidies covering 50% to 60% of costs, depending on household income, for purchasing and installing solar heaters and heat pumps. The level of support is determined based
on income, the number of children, the location of the property, and local climate conditions, reflecting a broader approach beyond traditional energy label considerations. Applicable to both primary and secondary residences, the program is designed to facilitate the transition to sustainable heating solutions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Applications are open until the end of March 2025.
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France’s MaPrimeRénov’ Program
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The MaPrimeRénov’ program, launched by France's National Housing Agency (ANAH), continues to be a cornerstone of the country’s energy renovation strategy, with a focus on accelerating decarbonization and improving housing efficiency. The 2025 budget for energy renovation has been increased to €4.4 billion, enabling over 100,000 major renovations and 250,000 smaller-scale actions.
The program offers financial aid to homeowners for upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, and ventilation improvements, with eligibility extending to both owner-occupiers and landlords for properties over 15 years old (2 years for overseas). MaPrimeRénov’ includes two primary tracks:
- “Renovation by Gesture”: Provides subsidies for individual actions, such as installing air-to-water heat pumps, with varying amounts based on household income.
- “Supported Course”: Aimed at major renovations introduced in 2024, this track finances up to 90% of project costs (up to €70,000). Projects must improve the property’s energy efficiency by at least two classes and require guidance from certified professionals ("Mon Accompagnateur Rénov’").
Combined with other aid schemes like energy saving certificates (CEE) and reduced VAT, MaPrimeRénov’ underscores the government’s commitment to eliminate thermal inefficiencies, phase out fossil fuels, and support the green transition.
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Heat Pump Adoption in the UK Increases
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The UK saw a 43% increase in heat pump installations in 2024, with nearly 60,000 certified installations bringing the total to over 275,000, according to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Despite this growth, the rate of installations remains significantly below the government’s target of 600,000 annually by 2028. Incentives such as the boiler upgrade scheme in England and Wales (grants up to £7,500) and the Home Energy Scotland grant and loan scheme (up to £9,000) have been instrumental in driving
adoption. Alongside heat pumps, a record 260,000 small-scale renewable installations were certified in 2024, including solar PV panels and battery storage, pushing total certifications past two million.
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The UK Heat Pump Trends
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Heat pump adoption in the UK remains significantly lower than in countries like Norway and Sweden, where they are common in 60% and 43% of households, respectively. Persistent myths, such as heat pumps not functioning in cold climates or being unsuitable for older buildings, have hindered their popularity. In response, the UK government has enlisted the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to combat misinformation and shift public opinion.
Policy measures have also been introduced to accelerate uptake, including the relaxation of planning rules for listed buildings, which now permit the installation of heat pumps and solar panels without lengthy permissions. These changes impact nearly 3 million properties in England and aim to remove bureaucratic barriers to retrofitting green technology. Grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme were increased to £7,500 for eligible air and ground source heat pumps, further incentivizing adoption. These
efforts are part of broader measures to meet the target of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028 and support the UK’s net-zero objectives. Despite challenges, public consultations and eased regulations indicate a growing momentum for integrating heat pumps into UK households and historic properties.
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EHPA Roundtable on Industrial Heat Pumps for Zet Zero European Industry
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28 January 2025,
EHPA will hold a roundtable entitled “Industrial Heat Pumps for Net Zero European Industry”. This roundtable will bring together experts to share insights, explore policy solutions, address barriers to adoption, and identify opportunities to scale up the use of industrial heat pumps.
More information is available here.
| Heat Pump Technologies 2025: EHPA Leads Key Discussions on the EU Heat Pump Market
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2-3 April 2025,
Milan will host Heat Pump Technologies, the first international exhibition and conference dedicated to heat pumps and related technologies enabling the energy transition. Organised by RX Italy at Allianz MiCo, this event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore decarbonization strategies, market trends, and cutting-edge solutions.
More information is available here.
| REHVA Annual Meeting 2025
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2 - 3 June 2025,
REHVA will hold its Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy. The Annual Meeting will feature presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities focused on the latest developments in the HVAC industry.
More information is available here.
| CLIMA 2025
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4 – 6 June 2025,
REHVA will hold its 15th HVAC World Congress in Milan, Italy. The theme of this Italian edition is "Decarbonized, healthy, and energy-conscious buildings in future climates".
More information is available here.
| Heat Pump Forum & Award 2025
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23 - 24 September 2025,
EHPA will host its flagship heat pump forum.
More information is available here.
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EU
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: The European Commission is made up of 27 Commissioners, 1 for each Member State, and represents the interests of the EU as a whole. Every Commissioner is in charge of a Directorate-General (DG) that can be compared to a Ministry at national level. The European Commission proposes legislation in the form of Regulations and Directives and submits them to the Parliament and Council for discussion and adoption.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:
The European Parliament is made up of 705 MEPs (see below) that are directly elected by EU citizens in 27 Member States.
MEP: Member of the European Parliament, a co-legislator within the EU that is made up of representatives from political parties throughout Member States.
COUNCIL OF THE EU:
Co-legislator, made up of representatives from Member State Governments. Has a six-month rotating presidency, currently held by the Czech Republic until the end of 2022.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL: The European Council is made up of the leaders of the EU member states, commonly known as EU27. It defines the EU’s overall political direction and priorities but does not pass laws.
REGULATION:
EU legislative act that is binding in its entirety and is to be applied in its entirety across the EU by all EU Member States.
DIRECTIVE:
EU legislative act that sets out a goal that all EU Member States must achieve. However, it is up to the EU Member States to adopt their own laws on how to achieve the EU goals enshrined in the Directive.
HORIZON EUROPE:
is the EU’s main and biggest Research and Innovation programme for the period of 2021-2027. The programme has an overall funding of €95,5 billion. The program is divided into three pillars: open science, global challenges & industrial competitiveness and open innovation.
INVESTEU:
The InvestEU Programme builds on the successful model of the Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan. It brings together, under one roof, the European Fund for Strategic Investments and 13 EU financial instruments currently available. Triggering at least €650 billion in additional investment, the Programme aims to give an additional boost to investment, innovation and job creation in Europe.
EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL:
is a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission with the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral in 2050. The plan is to review EU’s energy and climate laws to bring them in line with this ambition. Green Deal also introduces new legislation on the circular economy, building renovation, biodiversity, farming and innovation.
FIT-FOR-55-PACKAGE:
The European Commission’s work program for 2021 included the revisions and initiatives linked to the European Green Deal climate actions and in particular the climate target plan’s 55 % net reduction target are presented under the Fit for 55 package. The package is compiled of two parts, released on 14 July 2021 and 14 December 2021.
REHVA:
is the
association of European heating, ventilation and air-conditioning associations, based in Brussels.
You can find all relevant EU building policy related information in this useful document.
UK
BILL: A bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to significantly change an existing law. A bill may start in either the Commons or the Lords and must pass a series of stages in each Houses. Once the bill has been agreed by both Houses, it receives Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament.
HOUSE OF COMMONS: the House of Commons is the lower house and de facto primary chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the upper house, the House of Lords (see below), it meets in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 members known as members of Parliament (MPs). Members are elected to represent constituencies by the first-past-the-post system and hold their seats until Parliament is dissolved.
HOUSE OF LORDS: The House of Lords scrutinises bills that have been approved by the House of Commons. It regularly reviews and amends Bills from the Commons. While it is unable to prevent Bills passing into law, except in certain limited circumstances, it can delay Bills and force the Commons to reconsider their decisions.
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