Heat Pumps Boost Germany's Energy Transition

The reduction of carbon emissions in the construction industry has always been a blind spot in Germany's energy transition. Heating systems powered by natural gas or petroleum are still the norm for households in this country. According to statistics, over 80% of heating demand in Germany is met by fossil fuels.

Germany hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80% to 95% by 2050 compared to 1990 level. In order to achieve this goal, Germany will no longer be able to use energy sources such as petroleum and natural gas. This goal means that the vast majority of 40 million households in Germany must switch their heating systems to climate-friendly heating systems within 20 years.

Heat pumps are equipment that transfer heat energy from a low level heat source to a high level heat source, and are also a new energy technology that has received great attention worldwide.

Heat pumps are considered a climate-friendly alternative to conventional heating systems such as gas or oil heating. Their thermal efficiency usually reach over 300%-400%, which means that consuming 1 kilowatt hour of electricity can carry more than 3 to 4 times the amount of heat energy.

Heat pumps are like an inverted refrigerator. They absorb heat from the environment to heat houses and water, and only use a quarter of the energy of a gas boiler. Heat pumps can use clean electricity, and have higher heating efficiency. Therefore, the German government wants to promote them as the largest heating system, and plans to install 500,000 new heat pumps every year from 2024, reaching a market share of 6 million by 2030.