The goals of decarbonizing the European economy, combined with the need for energy independence, following the events of the war in Ukraine, are accelerating the transition of heating from fossil fuels to clean energy from heat pumps. The urgency falls on boilers that use fuel and diesel to produce heat, followed by a ban on gas-fired boilers, which have a longer transition period.
Although countries set their own pace, this year and 2025 will mark a milestone in this sudden change in favor of electric heat pumps. European buildings use large amounts of gas, accounting for 40% of EU energy demand and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. This is despite the fact that heat pumps can operate in almost all buildings, providing zero emissions and ultra-efficient heating and cooling for homes and businesses.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates in its report “Net Zero Emissions by 2050” that most of the emissions reductions resulting from electricity will be due to new electric vehicle mobility and the installation of heat pumps. Current models of this electric heating and cooling technology are three to five times more efficient than gas boilers. Thus, the IEA estimates that heat pumps have the potential to reduce global CO2 emissions by at least 500 million tons in 2030, which is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of all cars currently driving in Europe.
“Heat pumps are now considered a good way to reduce emissions: solutions are already available, can be delivered quickly, have relatively low initial costs and a short payback period,” explains Christian Röhm, portfolio manager at the DNB Renewable Energy Fund. It currently accounts for around 10% of global building heating demand, and its sales have grown at a double-digit rate in recent years due to increasing political support and decarbonisation efforts with REPower EU, the IRA and others.
The European Heat Pump Association has created a map highlighting current or announced bans on fossil fuel boilers across Europe, distinguishing between bans on gas and oil boilers in new and existing buildings. This year and 2025 will be crucial in this process towards clean heating of individual homes and entire buildings.
Legislation by country
Austria. Oil boilers have been banned in new homes since 2020. Gas boilers in new buildings have also been abolished from 2024, and the mandatory replacement of old heating systems with fossil fuels has been established from 2025.
Belgium. In Flanders, the use of oil boilers is prohibited in all buildings from 2022, unless there is no natural gas network nearby. Gas delivery is prohibited for large construction projects from 2021 and in new buildings from 2025. Meanwhile, in Wallonia, a ban has been introduced on oil boilers in new buildings from 2025 and in existing buildings from 2026. Finally, in Brussels Oil boilers are banned in all buildings from 2025.
Denmark. Banning fossil fuel boilers in district heating areas in new and existing buildings. Fossil fuel boilers – not natural gas – will be banned in areas with a gas network in new and existing buildings. Building regulations make fossil fuel boilers almost non-existent in new construction, even in areas where they are not explicitly restricted.
France. Oil boilers are banned in all buildings from 2022. Gas boilers are banned in new single-family buildings from 2022 and from 2025 for new multi-family homes.
Germany. New heating systems must use 65% or more renewable energy from 2024. Ban on the installation of oil boilers in new and existing buildings from 2020.
Greece. The sale and installation of fossil fuel boilers is prohibited in all buildings from 2025.
Ireland. A ban on fossil fuel boilers for new non-residential buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovations from 2024.
Italy. New buildings must use 60% renewable energy for heating from 2022.
Luxembourg. Building requirements make it impossible to use oil and gas in new buildings from 2023.
Holland. Gas boilers have been banned in new buildings since 2018. I will ban gas boilers in all buildings from 2026.
Norway. Fossil fuel heating systems have been banned in new buildings since 2017. Oil boilers have been banned in all buildings since 2020. The use of natural gas in existing boilers is not widespread, and most buildings have electric heating systems.
Spain. The minimum energy contribution from renewable sources must cover at least 70% of the annual energy demand for domestic hot water in new buildings and for heating swimming pools, as of the end of 2019. This minimum contribution can be reduced to 60% when demand for domestic hot water Less than 5000 liters per day.
United kingdom. Ban on fossil fuel boilers for new buildings from 2025. In the case of Scotland, the ban on gas and oil boilers for new buildings came this year. Fossil fuel boilers will be abolished in all buildings from 2045.
Foro Mercado Libre is a research center that promotes the development of a competitive market economy in Europe.
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