Share of heat pumps in new buildings has more than doubled within ten years

Heat pumps especially common in single- and two-family homes

Heat pumps are particularly widespread in single- and two-family homes: in around 78 percent of all buildings of this type completed in 2025, a heat pump was primarily used for heating energy. In new buildings with three or more apartments, the share was significantly lower at 52.7 percent. The statisticians attribute this to the technical requirements and the often limited availability of suitable areas for ground source probes in more densely built neighborhoods.

Natural gas remains the second most important heat source in new buildings, but is also on the decline. In 2025, gas was used as the main energy source in just over ten percent of new residential buildings. Ten years earlier, the share was still above 50 percent. Oil heating systems were installed in only a fraction of new buildings (0.3 percent).

Renewables dominate in new buildings

Overall, almost four out of five newly built residential buildings (78.2 percent) are now predominantly heated with renewable energy. In 2015, the figure was just 38 percent. In addition to ground- and air-source heat pumps, these include wood — for example in pellet heating systems or fireplace stoves — solar thermal, biogas, and biomethane. District heating follows as the third most important source, with a share of just over eight percent in the past year.

The situation in the existing building stock looks quite different: here, natural gas dominates as the primary energy source. More than half (53.9 percent) of residential buildings are heated with it, according to the Federal Statistical Office on the basis of the 2022 census. In around a quarter (24.7 percent), heating oil was also used. Renewables played a minor role in the existing stock, with a share of just over ten percent.

Existing building stock remains dependent on gas and oil

The building sector is central to achieving the goal of climate neutrality in Germany by 2045; it accounts for around one third of CO2 emissions. Against this backdrop, the former "Ampel" coalition government had sought to enforce a medium-term shift away from fossil fuel heating systems with the Heating Act. The current federal government has reformed the law and removed the requirement that new heating systems must generally use at least 65 percent renewable energy.

Political framework in flux

Despite the reform, the statistics show that the market is moving in a similar direction. According to this, builders are predominantly choosing heat pumps, regardless of the current legal situation. Observers see this as an indication that economic considerations and technological maturity are driving the switch. (mho)

The data from the Federal Statistical Office refer to the year 2025 and were published on 10 June 2026. They cover all residential buildings completed in Germany in that year. (mho)