The International Day of Clean Energy highlights solutions that enable a more secure, affordable, and carbon‑neutral energy system. In this context, heat pumps stand out as one of the most mature and efficient technologies for decarbonising heating and cooling, sectors that account for nearly half of the EU’s energy consumption and still rely largely on fossil fuels. Heat pumps deliver three to five times the efficiency of gas boilers, yet their uptake remains limited by upfront costs and, in some markets, by high electricity prices.

The Install.res project, funded by the LIFE programme and coordinated by the Austrian Energy Agency, is working to accelerate its rollout, particularly in existing buildings, where uncertainty, intervention complexity, and a lack of reliable information slow down the transition. The initiative is developing pilot projects in several European countries, testing different technical configurations and twelve business models, ranging from leasing to subscription‑based heating services. These approaches seek to reduce initial investment, support decision‑making, and offer replicable alternatives beyond the project.

The central message is clear: the technology is ready, but its real impact will depend on accessible solutions, viable economic models, and tools that help households and organisations adopt clean heating systems with confidence.