Europeans are beating high gas prices by installing heat pumps

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Heat pump sales across 12 European countries rose 11% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching around 1.16 million units
• The rebound follows a 47% sales slump in H1 2024 and comes amid higher gas prices and renewed efforts to make electricity more competitive through lower taxation

🔭 The context: Heat pumps run on electricity and can be three to five times more energy efficient than conventional boilers, according to the European Heat Pump Association
• The EU’s Electrification Action Plan targets 4 million annual heat pump installations by 2030 and aims for electricity to account for almost half of EU energy use by 2040
• But shifting taxes from electricity toward fossil fuels requires agreement among all 27 EU member states

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Replacing gas boilers with efficient electric heat pumps can reduce fossil-fuel consumption and heating-related emissions, particularly as Europe’s power system becomes more renewable
• The climate benefit depends on the electricity mix and how quickly fossil fuels are displaced

⏭️ What’s next: EU countries would need to decide whether to rebalance energy taxation, while national subsidies and installation programmes continue to influence household demand

💬 One quote: “Europe is ending its addiction to a toxic, costly drug from dodgy suppliers – gas,” - Paul Kenny, director general of the European Heat Pump Association

📈 One stat: 1.16 million heat pumps were sold across the 12 countries covered by the EHPA in January–June 2026

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