German heat pump sales down 52%

GERMANY: Heat pumps sales in Germany declined 52% in the first quarter of the year, according to new figures from the German heating industry association BDH.

Total unit sales were 46,000 compared to 96,500 heat pumps sold in the same period in 2023.

This is seen as a considerable setback for the federal government’s target of 500,000 heat pump sales this year. Based on current sales the BDH predicts fewer than 200,000 heat pumps will be sold this year.

The drop in heat pump sales is against a background of a general decline in the German heating market with total sales down 29% in the first quarter. 

This decline against a backdrop of a low level of new construction activity has also impacted sales of system components. Underfloor heating and radiators, storage tanks, ventilation systems with heat recovery and even exhaust systems are all said to be experiencing negative market trends, with a decline of up to 56%. The impact on the market development of solar thermal energy is seen to be particularly serious, with a decline of 60% in the first quarter compared to the previous year.