Stable sales figures for heat pumps

Breathing a sigh of relief after slump in sales and short-time work. The heat pump industry recorded stable sales figures in the first half of the year – now inventories are being reduced. The industry association is cautiously positive about the outlook for the second half of the year.

23.07.2024 – The German Heat Pump Association reports no dynamic growth, but stable sales figures for the first half of 2024, with around 90,000 heating heat pumps sold in this period, with an average of 15,000 units per month. The association sees a contrary trend in the sale of gas heating systems - there is a drastic decline here. Association head Martin Sabel notes that there is still a great deal of interest in the heat pump as a heating technology: "People want to get away from fossil gas heating." Now it is important to provide even better information about the very good funding opportunities.

Parallel to the sales development, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) is recording a growing interest in heating subsidies. In the first half of the year, almost 50,000 funding commitments were granted, 39,000 of which were for heat pump projects. Most recently, the number of commitments rose by 21 percent in May, and in June by as much as 40 percent compared to the respective previous months. Of the 17,000 KfW funding applications in June, 13,000 were for heat pumps. Since four out of five heat pumps are now used in existing buildings, KfW funding for heating system replacement is of central importance for the development of the industry.

The German Heat Pump Association is cautiously positive about the outlook for the second half of the year. Sabel points out that the wholesaler is currently still delivering stocks of heat pumps that he had already purchased last year. This inventory volume is expected to decline in favor of new orders. In addition, it is to be expected that interest in the subsidy and thus also the demand for heat pumps will increase.

Since applications can already be submitted for privately owned single-family houses and apartment buildings, the housing industry and owners of non-residential buildings will also be able to apply for funding from August. From September, it will also be possible to submit proof of use, so that the payment of the subsidy can begin.

Sabel emphasizes: "The heat pump industry can easily meet increasing demand and the trade can also install more systems. Over the last two years, billions of euros have been invested in production capacities and skilled workers in the industry. This potential must be exploited."

Most recently, large manufacturers such as Vaillant, Viessmann and Stiebel Eltron had to put parts of their workforce in heat pump production on short-time work. The warehouses were full, the sales figures lower than expected. Now the industry is hoping for an upward trend. However, the goal of installing 500,000 heat pumps annually and thus replacing fossil heating systems is not yet within reach. At the same time, the subsidy conditions for heating system replacement are better than ever before. The association wants to work to ensure that heating subsidies remain secure for the future despite the budget problems. Pf

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