Why heat pumps are the future of heating in Austria

Why heat pumps are the future of heating in Austria
Austria is playing a leading role in the energy revolution, with heat pumps playing a central role in the quest for environmentally friendly and efficient heating technology. This article highlights the extensive regulatory measures that Austria has taken to promote the use of heat pumps, as well as the challenges and opportunities this poses for the future. We look at the legal framework, the ambitious national energy goals and the special features of the Austrian market compared to other EU countries.
Regulatory framework in Austria
Austria has introduced a number of strict regulations to promote the use of renewable energy and increase energy efficiency. These legal frameworks aim to support sustainable heating technologies and reduce environmental impact. The most important legal regulations include the following laws, ordinances and directives:
- Renewable Development Act (EAEC): The EAEC promotes the expansion of renewable energies by providing subsidies for photovoltaic systems and renewable gases. This measure is intended to promote the use of renewable energy in Austria and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. (Source: ICLG Renewable Energy Laws and Regulations - Austria)
- Renewable Heat Act (EEC): This law aims to ban fossil fuels in new buildings and replace existing heating systems with renewable energy solutions such as the heat pump. It includes comprehensive funding programs that support the transition to sustainable heating technologies. (Source: ICLG Renewable Energy Laws and Regulations - Austria)
- Environmental Impact Assessment Act (EIA G): The EIA G requires comprehensive environmental assessments for large projects to ensure that high environmental standards are met. These tests are crucial for evaluating and minimizing the impact of new heating systems on the environment. (Source: ICLG Environment and Climate Change Laws and Regulations - Austria)
- Building regulations 2015: This regulation promotes the installation of low-carbon heating systems in new buildings and supports the use of solar thermal energy, geothermal energy and biomass. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings and to increase the use of renewable energy. (Source: Odyssee-Mure Policy Brief)
- IPPC and Seveso III guidelines: These guidelines require regular inspections and strict controls of potentially polluting plants. They ensure that the highest environmental standards are met and contribute to the safety and sustainability of heating systems. (Source: ICLG Environment and Climate Change Laws and Regulations - Austria).
Energy goals and market potential in Austria
Austria has set itself ambitious goals in the energy sector to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable energy sources. The country aims to obtain 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040. These goals are part of Austria's integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP).
The regulations mentioned above, such as the Renewable Expansion Act (EAEC) and the Renewable Heat Act (EEC), are directly related to these goals. They provide the legal framework and financial incentives to promote the expansion of renewable energy and increase energy efficiency. Through funding programs and legal requirements, these regulations support the implementation of the NEKP goals and contribute to the planned transition to sustainable energy.
Differences with other EU countries
The Austrian market for heat pumps differs from other markets in European countries. Some differences and peculiarities compared to other EU countries include:
- High Acceptance of Renewable Energy: Austria has a well-developed infrastructure and a high level of acceptance for renewable energy, which makes the transition to heat pumps easier. Around 73% of electricity generation already comes from renewable sources, and the use of heat pumps is constantly increasing.
- Attractive funding programs: Although funding programs in Austria are attractive compared to many EU countries, they may not offer quite as high subsidies as in Germany. Up to 20% of the investment costs, but a maximum of 7,500€, can be funded for the installation of heat pumps in new buildings in Austria. Subsidies of up to 35% of the costs or a maximum of 5,000€ are possible for renovations. This support promotes the transition to more environmentally friendly heating systems and highlights Austria's efforts to increase the use of heat pumps through financial incentives.
- Technological Innovations: Austria is investing heavily in research and development in the area of HVAC technologies, leading to a number of innovations and improved efficiency.
How is the market for heat pumps developing in Austria?
The Austrian Market for Heat Pumps is showing a significant shift from gas-based heating systems to electricity-powered solutions and ambient heat. This development is influenced by various factors, which are explained in more detail below:
Increasing sales figures
Over 66,500 heat pumps were sold in Austria last year, which represents an impressive increase of 40%. This trend shows that more and more households and companies are switching to sustainable heating solutions to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. According to the Bundesverband Wärmepumpe e.V. (BWP), this increase is due to increased funding measures and growing environmental awareness. In addition, strict regulatory requirements play an important role in promoting sales. Laws such as the Renewable Expansion Act (EAEC) and the Renewable Heat Act (EEC) set clear incentives and regulations that promote the switch to renewable energies and thus the use of heat pumps.
Funding programs and subsidies
The Austrian government is supporting this change through generous funding programs. Subsidies for installing heat pumps make it more attractive for homeowners to upgrade their old heating systems. Programs such as the “Get out of Oil and Gas” funding program offer financial incentives to switch to renewable energy, which should further boost sales of heat pumps. This program offers funding for both new buildings and renovation projects. For new buildings, heat pump installations can be funded with up to 20% of the investment costs, but a maximum of 7,500€. Subsidies of up to 35% of the costs or a maximum of 5,000€ are available for renovations. This financial support aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable heating systems and reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuels. The following blog post explains how funding is regulated in Germany: KfW BEG funding for heating systems and heat pumps in 2024
Technological Advancements and Innovations
Technological advancement plays an important role in increasing the efficiency and performance of heat pumps. New generations of heat pumps not only offer higher efficiency, but also improved performance at low outdoor temperatures. These modern devices are able to work efficiently even in extremely cold conditions, which significantly expands their range of applications. To find out more about how modern technologies contribute to increasing energy efficiency, read our article about the energy certificate: With an energy certificate to a more energy-efficient home
Another important area of innovation is the integration of heat pumps into smart home systems. This integration allows users to control their heating systems via mobile apps or voice assistants, which significantly increases convenience and ease of use. In addition, modern control systems allow more precise regulation of heating output, which leads to a further optimization of energy consumption. These technological advances not only make heat pumps more efficient, but also more attractive for consumers who value comfort and modern technology.
Supply chain challenges
Despite the positive market development in Austria, there are challenges, in particular a lack of qualified installers for heat pump systems. This bottleneck may slow down the expansion and installation of renewable heating systems. To meet these challenges, companies must optimize their processes and make them more efficient. The AUTARC software offers a solution for this: It enables companies to carry out their projects faster and with fewer personnel, which significantly reduces bottlenecks among specialists and accelerates the expansion of renewable energy technologies.
Future Prospects
The outlook for the heat pump market in Austria remains positive. Government support through funding programs and subsidies plays a crucial role in promoting this technology. The Austrian Government is committed to promoting renewable energy and sees heat pumps as a key technology for reducing CO2 emissions.
In addition to government support, private investments in research and development are also helping to improve heat pump technology. These investments result in more efficient and powerful devices that meet the requirements of a changing market.
Increasing environmental awareness among the population and the need to reduce energy costs will also contribute to further increasing the acceptance and spread of heat pumps. With a combination of technological innovations, government support and growing environmental awareness, it is expected that the market for heat pumps in Austria will continue to grow in the coming years.
Norms and standards
In Austria, the relevant standards for the planning and construction of heat pump systems are ÖNORM M 7755 And the ÖNORM EN 15450. These standards ensure that heat pump systems comply with specific technical and environmental guidelines.
ÖNORM M 7755 Provides detailed requirements for the planning and construction of heat pump heating systems. This standard serves as a national supplement to the European standard ÖNORM EN 15450, which covers heating systems in buildings and includes guidelines for planning systems with heat pumps. These standards ensure that heat pump systems in Austria comply with specific technical and environmental guidelines and are adapted to local climatic conditions.
Conclusion
Heat pumps are on the rise in Austria and play a decisive role in reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy efficiency. Strict legal frameworks and generous funding programs support this development and make heat pumps an attractive option for homeowners and companies. Despite supply chain challenges, the outlook for the heat pump market in Austria remains positive. With further investments in technology and infrastructure, it is expected that heat pumps will continue to gain in importance and make an important contribution to a sustainable energy future.
Start now with autarc in Austria!
Autarc is now also available in Austria and supports installers and specialist companies in increasing their efficiency and minimizing workload. Discover how our software solutions can speed up your projects. We invite all installation professionals to see the benefits and functions of autarc for themselves through a personal demo. Make an appointment today and find out how autarc can optimize your processes.
*Image source: Pexels, Jonathan Schmer