Heat pump adoption accelerates across US and Europe

Heat pump adoption is accelerating globally as residential heating shifts toward electrification. In the United States, heat pump shipments outpaced fossil fuel furnaces by 32% in the first quarter of 2026. This trend is largely driven by new housing construction, where three-quarters of new apartments are heated electrically, making gas piping unnecessary.

In Europe, the market shows significant regional variation. Norway, Finland, and Sweden lead with over half of households using heat pumps. Germany and Italy have seen strong growth, with Germany reporting 195,000 units sold in the first half of 2026. While many German buildings still rely on gas, studies suggest up to 58.9% of existing buildings in major German cities could be suitable for heat pump installation.

In the United Kingdom, adoption remains lower, with only 3% of homes utilizing air conditioning, though interest is rising due to heatwaves. Experts note that while heat pumps offer efficient year-round heating and cooling, their suitability depends on home insulation and existing infrastructure. In contrast to modular electric radiators, heat pumps are typically integrated into centralized systems.