The heating and cooling in the European Union have taken another firm step towards sustainability. In 2024, the share of renewables in these uses reached a new high, consolidating a trend that directly interests those wanting more comfortable homes and more stable energy bills.
If you are looking for clear signs of where the market is heading and what you can do now, the data and examples below help transform numbers into practical decisions.
Short on time? Here’s the gist:
| ✅ Key points ⚡ |
|---|
| 26.7% of energy for heating and cooling in the EU was renewable in 2024 🔥❄️ — a new high since 2004. |
| To comply with the Directive (EU) 2023/2413, Member States need to accelerate the annual increase starting from 2026 (min. +1.1 pp/year) 🚀. |
| Heat pumps and sustainable biomass are driving growth; solar thermal and geothermal are gaining traction 🌞🌍. |
| Avoid the common mistake: replacing the equipment without first addressing the thermal envelope (insulation, windows, leaks) 🧱⚠️. |
Renewable energies in heating and cooling: what does the share of 26.7% in 2024 mean for your home
The increase to 26.7% in 2024 represents more comfort and predictable costs. The more thermal energy is generated from renewable sources — such as heat pumps, biomass, solar thermal, and geothermal — the less exposed your home is to fluctuations in gas and oil prices. At the same time, it reduces emissions without compromising performance, something that is felt in daily life: stable hot showers, efficient cooling, and less noise from equipment.
Behind this evolution are two main forces. On one hand, heat pumps have become more accessible and efficient, harnessing ambient heat with high performance coefficients. On the other, biomass (pellets, chips, biowaste) continues to be the backbone of the renewable thermal mix in many countries, especially in urban heat networks. Solar thermal predictably reheats water in Mediterranean climates, while geothermal provides stability year-round in buildings with vertical probes.
Why does this progression matter to the end user? Because renewable solutions interact well with improvements in building efficiency. By strengthening insulation and airtightness, less power is needed and smaller, cheaper, and quieter equipment can be used. It’s the virtuous circle of comfort: less loss, less consumption, more renewables.
Realistic example: apartment in Braga and house in Alentejo
In a 90s condominium in Braga, the replacement of gas boilers with air-to-water heat pumps, combined with roof insulation and thermostatic valves, reduced the annual bill by about 30% over three years. Meanwhile, in a hillside in Alentejo, a solar thermal term siphon for AQS, supported by a pellet stove on cold days, ensures hot water and auxiliary heating with very stable costs — a simple, robust solution adapted to the local reality.
Three practical actions that have an immediate effect
- 🧰 Tune the existing system: radiator bleeding, hydraulic balancing, and sensor checks increase efficiency in no time.
- 🌬️ Control leaks: seals on windows and shutter boxes can reduce losses and noise, preparing the ground for renewables.
- 📊 Simple measurement: a thermal energy meter or an electric meter dedicated to a heat pump allows optimizing parameters based on data.
By viewing 2024 as a milestone rather than a destination, perspective is gained: more renewables in heating and cooling translate into tangible comfort and more secure investment decisions.
Directive (EU) 2023/2413: objectives 2021–2025 and 2026–2030, and how to accelerate the pace from now on
European legislation has set a clear path. The Directive (EU) 2023/2413 mandates that Member States increase the share of renewables in heating and cooling by at least +0.8 percentage points per year between 2021 and 2025, and by +1.1 pp/year from 2026 to 2030. Between 2021 and 2024, the European average was +0.93 pp/year, an encouraging sign but one that requires reinforcement in the next cycle.
How to turn goals into action? There are three effective levers. First, renovation programs in packages that prioritize the envelope (insulation, frames, shading) and coordinate the installation of heat pumps. Second, renewable heat networks using certified biomass, industrial waste heat, and large heat pumps from wastewater. Third, smart urban planning rules that streamline collective projects (co-ownerships, neighborhoods) and encourage energy communities.
It is worth remembering that, in 2023, renewables already supplied a record share of European electricity, and heating and cooling are following the same path with understandable delay. The challenge now is the speed of execution and the qualification of installation teams, so that the growing demand translates into well-sized and durable systems.
Useful tools for municipalities and condominiums
Municipalities can map high potential areas for heat networks based on density and local resources (biowaste, shallow geothermal). Clear licensing conditions shorten timelines and reduce financial costs. In condominiums, collective decision-making facilitates common solutions: for example, a shared thermal plant with air-to-water heat pumps and solar thermal support, individual measurement, and digital management. When the building improves the envelope, peak needs decrease and the plant can be smaller — saving money twice.
If you want a quick view of technological solutions and practical cases that are scaling up in Europe, look for visual content focused on performance and installation.
In summary, to meet the target of +1.1 pp/year starting from 2026, it pays to combine stable policy, simple engineering, and rigorous execution. Time is a technical factor: the sooner the envelope and networks are strengthened, the cheaper the winter peak will be.
Leaders and laggards in the EU in 2024: what you can learn from each
The heterogeneity among countries is a rich source of learning. In 2024, Sweden led with 67.8% of renewables in heating and cooling, followed by Finland (62.6%) and Latvia (61.8%). At the opposite end, Ireland stood at 7.9%, and the Netherlands and Belgium recorded 11.3%. The reading is clear: where mature heat networks, certified biomass, and strong penetration of heat pumps exist, the numbers soar.
There were also surprises in annual variations. From 2023 to 2024, Malta advanced by about +6.0 pp, Luxembourg +3.7 pp, and Denmark +1.9 pp. In the opposite direction, Estonia fell -11.1 pp, while Greece and Bulgaria dropped -2.9 pp and -1.9 pp, respectively. Such fluctuations may be due to methodological changes, specific climate conditions, or reconfiguration of networks and fuels.
Simplified comparison 2024: where the references are
| 🇪🇺 Country | Renewable share H&C 2024 | Variation compared to 2023 | Practical inspiration ✨ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 67.8% | Stable/increase | Efficient heat networks and sustainable biomass 🌲 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | 62.6% | Stable/increase | Geothermal integration and waste heat 🏭 |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | 61.8% | Stable/increase | Use of municipal biowaste ♻️ |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | Average/low | +6.0 pp 🚀 | Solar thermal and compact heat pumps 🌞 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Average | +3.7 pp 📈 | Building renovation and electrification 🧱⚡ |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | High | +1.9 pp ➕ | Replacement of gas with renewable networks 🔗 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | Average | -11.1 pp ⚠️ | Attention to source and fuel quality 🔍 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 7.9% | Slight increase | Great potential with heat pumps and rehabilitation 🏡 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 11.3% | Stable | Expansion of shallow geothermal and networks 📡 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 11.3% | Stable | Solar thermal in condominiums and hybrid pumps 🛠️ |
For those deciding on renovations at home or in the condominium, the message is pragmatic: draw inspiration from the leaders, but adapt to the local context. The right solution depends on the climate, the building, and the availability of resources. Copying strategies without understanding the local situation leads to frustrations; fine-tuning is the key word.
Heat pumps, biomass, and solar thermal: how to combine renewable technologies with efficiency
The safest way to reduce consumption and emissions is to combine building efficiency with a well-designed renewable thermal mix. Heat pumps perform better at low flow temperatures (underfloor heating, fan convectors, properly sized radiators). Solar thermal covers a large part of hot water needs, relieving the heat pump in summer. In cold climates or rural areas with pellet supply, certified biomass can be the ideal support during winter peaks.
A frequent mistake is replacing boilers with heat pumps without checking emitters and without adjusting climate curves. Another misconception is installing solar thermal without a properly sized tank. The rule is simple: start with the envelope, reduce the required power, and only then choose the generator. This ensures smaller equipment, optimized investment, and reduced noise.
From design to operation: clear steps
First, a light energy diagnosis, including leak testing and identification of thermal bridges. Second, select the system: air-to-water heat pumps for buildings with outside space and simple hydraulics; air-to-air for apartments that primarily need cooling; geothermal where the ground and budget allow. Third, intelligent control: room thermostats, hydraulic zones, and remote monitoring to fine-tune throughout the seasons.
Inspirational cases show that simplicity often prevails. In a neighborhood in Coimbra, an 80s block replaced individual boilers with a common thermal plant with two cascading heat pumps, supported by solar thermal for AQS and stratified tanks. With roof insulation and efficient frames, they reduced installed power by 35% and nearly eliminated summer peaks.
Do you want to see practical examples of the integration between efficiency and renewable generation in residential buildings and small services? Explore educational content on sizing and operation in the European context.
Combining the right technology, careful design, and preventive maintenance is what transforms European percentages into real comfort and predictable bills in your home or building.
Practical roadmap for 2026: preparing your building for renewable heating and cooling
With the target of +1.1 pp/year starting in 2026, the watchword is planning. For owners and condominiums, a simple roadmap makes a difference: start small, measure, and scale. Think of the building as a living system where the envelope, equipment, and usage habits influence each other.
Steps that work on the ground
1) Mapping: assess heating, cooling, and AQS needs by season. Identify the “hot and cold spots” and prioritize interventions with the best returns (envelope first). 2) Pilot: choose a section of the building to test a heat pump and a set of controls. 3) Scale: after fine-tuning parameters and validating comfort, expand to the rest. 4) Operation: maintain seasonal tuning (climate curve) and do not neglect bleeding and filter cleaning.
In urban areas, explore renewable heat networks when available — they tend to be competitive and reduce the need for space for equipment. In houses, well-thought-out hybrid solutions — for example, heat pump with solar thermal support — provide robustness against heat and cold waves. The important thing is to avoid the temptation of “all electric without design”; the quality of the design is more valuable than the nominal power.
Guide story: the Rocha family and the management of the condominium
The management of the Rocha family building in Aveiro gathered budgets to strengthen the insulation of the top floor, install a solar thermal system for AQS, and prepare the machinery room for two future heat pumps. In twelve months, they cut 20% of consumption just by improving the envelope and the solar thermal; the installation of the pumps came later, already with lower power and costs. The secret? Smart sequencing, measurement, and transparency with the co-owners.
If you are looking for practical guides, case studies, and checklists, you will find good resources on specialized platforms like Ecopassivehouses.pt, focused on simple and replicable solutions. The aim is the same as that of all European policy: to make comfort accessible, with systems that work and last.
As a final reminder for your plan: start with the envelope, measure, adjust, and only then invest in the generator. It is this sequence that transforms European goals into tangible comfort in your building, season after season.
Source: edificioseenergia.pt
