Slovakia proposes new efficiency rules for large heat pumps

The Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO) has submitted a draft amendment to a decree that would establish new rules for verifying the economic efficiency of large-scale heat pumps and electric boilers. The proposal, which is currently in the interdepartmental comment phase, aims to modernize energy efficiency indicators to reflect the transition toward greener heating sources.

If approved, the new regulations are set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The amendment introduces specific norms for evaluating the actual efficiency of these technologies, which have become increasingly important in centralized heating systems. Additionally, the proposal sets maximum price caps for professional assessments conducted by the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA). These prices, such as 80 EUR for determining a heat source's efficiency indicator, will be automatically adjusted annually based on inflation.

This regulatory shift responds to the rapid adoption of heat pump technology in Slovakia, a country that has also become a significant manufacturer of such devices, with a domestic production capacity exceeding 740,000 units annually.