EU recognition of heat pumps

Daikin Europe N.V. (04/02/2009)

On 17 December 2008, the European Parliament adopted the EU Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources

On 17 December 2008, the European Parliament adopted the EU Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. For the first time, besides geothermal energy also aerothermal and hydrothermal energy are recognised as renewable energy sources. This Directive, which now has to be transposed by each member state, opens up a major opportunity for Daikin’s air, ground and water source heat pumps.

EU Directive to boost heat pump promotion
With the recognition by the EU of the outside air, ground and (surface, lake or well) water as renewable energy sources, much is expected of the member states’ promotion of heat pump technologies using these renewable energy sources. The Directive text indeed implies that member states shall promote heat pumps very much as they have been doing for the promotion of solar energy or wind energy.

Some member states have not yet recognised that air and water can be perfect for low-carbon home heating. This Directive encourages them to support related technologies and to help achieve the EU’s energy objectives. Heat pumps are already popular in some countries such as France, Ireland, Switzerland and Norway and Sweden. In some cases, this is due to tax incentives (France and Ireland). In other cases, a lack of oil, or environmental awareness on the part of the government led to increased attention being paid to heat pumps. Thus 70% of all newly-built houses in Switzerland are equipped with heat pumps. Norway and Sweden are very actively promoting heat pumps for preserving their environment.

Daikin heat pumps: contributing to the EU's 20/20/20 objectives
The urgency of the EU’s 20/20/20 objectives – reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption by 20% and increasing the share of renewable energy by 20%, all by 2020 – and the fact that heat pumps can contribute directly to meeting these ambitious objectives, present a major opportunity for heat pumps. With its 50-year experience in heat pumps, Daikin is confident it can contribute to help meet these 20/20/20 objectives. Daikin Europe N.V. is therefore extremely pleased by the adoption of this Directive, and will step up its efforts to make its heat pumps even more energy efficient. Backed by the commercial success of heat pumps in France, the adoption of the above-mentioned Directive, and the urgency of meeting the EU’s energy objectives, other member states will certainly be encouraged to follow the French example, and enhance awareness concerning heat pumps. 

Heat pumps will boost the low-carbon heating market
Although the share of heat pumps in the total heating market has not yet reached double digit figures, its enormous potential and the incentive programmes to be expected following the adoption of the above-mentioned EU Directive will undoubtedly lead to increased market share.

For more information on Daikin Europe’s heat pump range, visit www. daikin.eu.

cor103 - aerothermal_250 jpg
aerothermal heat pump

cor103 - geothermal_250 jpg
geothermal heat pump 

cor103 - hydrothermal_250 jpg
hydrothermal heat pump