While technology and policy are converging to allow heat pumps to challenge traditional systems as the new standard, industry insiders still lament a number of bureaucratic challenges in the way of wider acceptance.
Although the technology behind heat pumps has already existed for several years, it is only now becoming an established method and standard choice for consumers as a result of political decisions. And thanks to further technological advancements, heat pumps can now even be installed in older buildings under renovation.
While the installation of heat pumps is still more costly than setting up gas-based systems, government subsidies for the former mean that prices for consumers are roughly equal. As for running costs, heat pumps also result in comparable annual bills to those faced by people with traditional radiators.
However, according to Michel Reckinger, who runs a plumbing company, running costs will likely decrease in the coming years as electricity is expected to become cheaper than gas and heating oil.
What is still seen as a challenge on the other hand is the level of bureaucracy, said Reckinger: "We have now hired two people who do nothing but communicate with municipalities to receive authorisations for heat pumps and for photovoltaic installations. And to take care of subsidy applications, which are way too extensive and complicated. ... Here, an administrative simplification is absolutely necessary."
