In a notable shift in the heating market, Belgium has witnessed a important surge in the sales of gas and oil boilers, as reported by the Belgian Federation of Climate Technologies (Climafed) in their latest annual report.This trend comes at a time when the adoption of lasting home heating solutions appears to be declining.
Sales of gas boilers rose nearly 10%,increasing from 152,000 units in 2023 to 166,600 in 2024. The rise in oil boiler sales was even more pronounced, with a staggering 28% increase from 9,800 to 12,500 units. This uptick is particularly evident in Wallonia,where consumers are proactively preparing for the impending ban on oil boilers in new constructions set to take effect in March 2025.
Conversely, the market for hydronic heat pumps has experienced a dramatic decline, plummeting by 40% from 42,000 units in 2023 to just 25,000 in 2024. Similarly, thermodynamic water heaters, which were expected to serve as a stepping stone towards renewable energy adoption due to their economic benefits and substantial subsidies, saw a staggering 48% drop, from 31,500 to 16,500 units.
Solar water heaters also faced a significant downturn, with sales decreasing by 60%.Despite their proven efficiency and economic advantages, these solutions remain undervalued, partly due to the negative perceptions that have carried over from photovoltaic panels to solar collectors, according to climafed.
Several factors have been identified as contributing to this decline. Currently,the price of electricity is nearly four times higher per kWh than that of gas,leading consumers to favor gas solutions. Economic pressures such as inflation, high interest rates, and uncertainty surrounding energy prices have made households hesitant to invest in technologies like heat pumps.
Climafed has criticized the inconsistent political measures and misleading media coverage surrounding these issues, calling for a more coherent approach to energy policy.
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Editor: Welcome, everyone, to this engaging discussion where we’ll delve into the heating market trends in Belgium. We’ve recently heard concerning news about a critically important surge in the sales of gas and oil boilers. To shed light on this growth, we have an expert in climate technologies with us. Can you share your insights on this surge?
Expert: thank you for having me. Yes, the rise in sales of gas and oil boilers in Belgium is indeed noteworthy and raises some critical concerns. This increase contrasts sharply with the wider European initiative to phase out fossil fuel heating systems. Many countries are actively banning or restricting the use of gas and oil boilers, particularly in new buildings, as a measure to combat climate change and meet Paris Agreement goals [1].
Editor: That’s a valid point. In fact, Belgium’s government is also targeting residential heating systems due to their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, which accounted for 13.3% in 2017. There’s a plan to ban the sale of oil-fired boilers by 2035, although the existing systems can still be used temporarily [2].
Expert: Exactly. While the ban on new oil-fired boilers is a step in the right direction,the current spike in sales indicates a potential gap between policy and consumer behavior.Homeowners might be rushing to purchase oil and gas boilers now, perhaps out of fear that they won’t be able to afford choice heating solutions later on.
Editor: It’s a critical issue to address. With the government’s future ban on these heating systems,what alternatives do you think can effectively replace them in the interim?
Expert: The ongoing transition to heat pumps is an excellent alternative,especially given that their market has been growing substantially over the past years in Belgium,aligning with the move toward energy-efficient building practices. The combination of government incentives and public awareness around sustainability could encourage homeowners to switch to heat pumps rather than investing in fossil fuel systems [3].
Editor: That’s encouraging news about heat pumps and their alignment with energy efficiency. However, as you mentioned, the current consumer behavior might still pose challenges. How might policymakers encourage a more rapid shift to these lasting technologies?
Expert: A multi-faceted approach is necessary. Policymakers could enhance subsidies for heat pumps, provide education on the benefits of these systems, and create a clear roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Moreover, there may need to be stricter regulations on the installation of gas and oil boilers to discourage their purchase and installation.
Editor: It sounds like a comprehensive strategy will be essential to navigate this transitional period. Thank you for shedding light on these crucial issues in the heating market,particularly in Belgium. We look forward to seeing how these policies evolve and their impact on consumer choices in the coming years.
Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s an critically important discussion, and I hope to see a clearer commitment to sustainable options in the heating market soon.