The Spanish heat pump market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by a combination of policy support, rising energy costs, and shifting end-user demand. In Spain’s energy sector—often discussed locally as transición energética—heat pump installation in Spain has moved from a niche solution to a core component of residential and commercial energy upgrades.
For local installers and distributors (instaladores y distribuidores locales), understanding these growth drivers is essential not only for capturing new business opportunities, but also for positioning themselves as long-term solution providers in a fast-evolving market.
Spain’s shift toward electrified heating (electrificación de la calefacción) is accelerating under EU carbon-neutral targets. Historically, over 60% of residential heating relied on natural gas, but after the 2022 gas crisis, household heating costs rose by nearly 80%, pushing homeowners toward more stable alternatives—most notably heat pumps.
To support this transition, the Spanish government introduced incentives under the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP / Plan Nacional Integrado de Energía y Clima), targeting a 40% renewable share in heating by 2030. As a result, heat pump installation in Spain now qualifies for subsidies of up to €3,000, with additional support for replacing gas boilers (sustitución de calderas de gas), significantly reducing upfront costs.
Spain’s climate further strengthens this shift. With over 2,500 hours of annual sunshine, conditions are ideal for air-to-water heat pump installation, allowing winter COP values above 3.0 and energy savings exceeding 50% compared to gas heating. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, especially in retrofit projects (rehabilitación energética), this has driven sustained growth in heat pump installation in Spain.
Spain’s solar PV market (sector fotovoltaico) is already mature. By the end of 2024, installed capacity exceeded 60 GW, with distributed PV playing a major role in regions like Andalucía. However, as competition intensified, many installers saw margins fall from around 18% to 8%, making diversification unavoidable.
Against this backdrop, expanding into heat pump installation in Spain has become a logical next step for PV installers (instaladores fotovoltaicos). The PV + heat pump model—often discussed locally as autoconsumo con aerotermia—offers clear economic benefits. In real projects near Madrid, a 3 kW PV system combined with a 6 kW air-to-water heat pump installation reduced annual energy costs from €1,200 to €550, a saving of over 50%.
From an installation standpoint, both PV and heat pump projects fall under rehabilitación energética de edificios. Existing teams, tools, and workflows can be largely reused, allowing PV installers to enter heat pump installation in Spain with minimal operational friction.
Policy support further accelerates this shift. In regions such as Cataluña, combined PV and heat pump installations qualify for an additional 15% subsidy on top of the national €3,000 incentive, reaching up to €3,450 per household. Under these conditions, heat pumps have become a core growth engine for PV installers and a key reason Spain’s heat pump market continues to grow at over 25% annually.
For installers, a clear understanding of heat pump system structure and installation logic is essential to improving installation efficiency and ensuring long-term system stability. This is especially important for installers transitioning from solar PV projects, as recognizing the differences between PV and heat pump installations can significantly shorten the learning curve.
Below, based on a typical heat pump diagram, we outline the main system components and highlight key installation considerations.
A typical air-to-water heat pump system is built around four core modules that work together to deliver space heating and domestic hot water. The overall structure and connections are clearly illustrated in a standard heat pump diagram.
1. Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit is the primary heat exchange component. In coastal areas of southern Spain, corrosion-resistant models and sufficient ventilation clearance are recommended. In colder northern regions, low-ambient-temperature units should be selected, and installation should avoid strong wind exposure.
2. Indoor Heat Emitters
Common indoor terminals include underfloor heating, radiators, and fan coil units. Underfloor heating is widely used in Spanish apartments due to its space efficiency and even heat distribution, while fan coil units are often chosen in warmer regions to provide both heating and cooling.
3. Water Circulation Module
This module includes circulation pumps, expansion vessels, and buffer or storage tanks. Proper pipe sealing and smooth water flow are critical, and following the piping layout shown in the heat pump diagram helps ensure reliable system operation.
4. Control System
The control system manages temperature regulation through thermostats and sensors. Correct wiring and accurate sensor placement are essential to maintain stable and efficient operation.
The integration of solar PV and heat pumps has become a core trend in Spain’s energy retrofit market, supported by both policy incentives and strong market demand. For installers, this combination represents a practical way to expand services without significantly increasing technical complexity.
By using PV-generated electricity to power air-to-water heat pumps, households can dramatically reduce energy costs. In real residential projects across Spain, combined systems typically lower total energy expenses by 40–50%. In some heating-focused applications, overall heating costs can be reduced by up to 84% compared with traditional gas-based systems.
From an installation perspective, both PV and heat pump projects fall within building-level energy upgrades. Existing PV installation teams can usually transition into heat pump projects with minimal changes to tools, workflows, or technical training, allowing for faster market entry.
Government incentives further strengthen this model. In regions such as Catalonia, households installing both PV systems and heat pumps can receive subsidies of up to €3,450 per home, combining national and regional support. In addition, projects may qualify for CAE energy efficiency certificates, which can offset approximately 20% of the initial investment, significantly improving project economics.
As a result, integrating PV with heat pumps has become a natural extension for PV installers and a key driver behind the continued growth of heat pump installation in Spain.
For heat pump installers in Spain, on-site projects often involve a dual challenge: technical system adaptation and complex installation environments. This is especially true in retrofit projects, regulatory compliance, and final project handover, where precise execution is essential to ensure smooth delivery.
Space Constraints and Hydraulic Limitations in Retrofit Projects
A large proportion of Spanish residential buildings are over a century old, particularly in historic areas such as central Madrid and Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. In these projects, installers typically face two major challenges.
First, space limitations. Outdoor unit placement often lacks sufficient ventilation clearance, while indoor pipe routing must avoid fragile or protected wall structures. In some small apartments, there is simply no room for a buffer tank or domestic hot water storage tank.
Second, hydraulic system compatibility. Many older buildings still use galvanized steel pipes, which are prone to corrosion and blockage. These legacy systems often fail to meet the water quality and pressure requirements of modern air-to-water heat pump systems, making pipe replacement or system flushing necessary. As a result, installation costs and project timelines are often extended.
Spain enforces strict noise regulations in residential areas, with nighttime limits commonly set below 35 dB(A). While air-source heat pumps are designed for low-noise operation, outdoor units inevitably generate some sound, which can lead to neighbor complaints if not carefully managed.
In high-density apartment buildings, equipment layout must balance noise propagation paths with ventilation requirements. Even when installations comply with regulatory limits, placing outdoor units near neighboring windows or balconies may still trigger disputes. In addition, many residential communities enforce façade uniformity rules, requiring outdoor units to be concealed or visually integrated with the building exterior—further reducing layout flexibility.
One common oversight among installers is underestimating the importance of commissioning and handover. Typical issues include failing to adjust operating parameters to local climatic conditions—such as neglecting low-temperature enhancement settings in northern regions—insufficient coordination testing between thermostats and terminal units, and unclear user guidance on system operation and basic maintenance.
In Spain, heat pump installation projects must also be accompanied by complete energy efficiency documentation, including materials related to CAE certification. Incomplete paperwork at handover can delay subsidy applications, often becoming a source of customer dissatisfaction and post-installation disputes.
For professional installers, selecting the right equipment is critical to the success of heat pump installation in Spain. Choosing best heat pump brands is not about brand size, but about installation suitability, technical support, and long-term cooperation value.
An installer-friendly solution should match real installation conditions in Spain, especially in air-to-water heat pump installation projects:
Compact structure
Suitable for older buildings and small apartments, reducing layout restrictions during heat pump installation.
Easy installation and commissioning
Modular design simplifies system connection and shortens on-site commissioning time.
Climate adaptability
Corrosion resistance for coastal areas, stable low-temperature operation for northern regions, and compatibility with PV-powered heat pump systems.
High system tolerance
Reliable operation under varying water quality and pressure conditions, reducing retrofit costs in older buildings.
In real-world heat pump installation in Spain, backend support often matters more than specifications:
Stable supply capability to avoid project delays during peak seasons.
Localized technical support, including clear installation guidance supported by a heat pump diagram and fast on-site troubleshooting.
Long-term cooperation value, such as after-sales coverage and support for installers expanding heat pump projects.
As competition in Spain’s solar PV market intensifies and margins continue to shrink, many installers are asking the same question: where is the next growth curve?
For many heat pump installers in Spain, the answer lies in real installation experience rather than theory.
The transformation journey of a leading Spanish PV company offers a clear example of how heat pump installation in Spain is becoming a new growth engine—and how SolarEast supported this transition step by step.
Our partner is a long-established Spanish PV installer with more than ten years of industry experience. Beyond being a regional leader in PV panel sales and installation, the company is also a key PV module supplier to Gatorade’s Spanish operations, supported by strong channels and long-term customer trust.
During the peak years of the PV boom, the business grew rapidly. However, over the past two years, intense price competition pushed PV profit margins down from around 18% to just 8%. At the same time, customer demand shifted from standalone PV systems toward integrated heating + solar energy solutions.
With the heat pump market growing at over 25% annually, expanding into heat pump installation in Spain became a strategic necessity rather than an option.
After evaluating several best heat pump brands, the company chose SolarEast as its partner—valuing our proven experience in PV–heat pump system integration and our ability to support B2B installers throughout the entire project lifecycle.
The first pilot project immediately tested the team’s capabilities.
The customer was an existing PV client living in an 80 m² apartment in Madrid, aiming to add an air-source heat pump to the existing PV system and achieve solar-powered heating and domestic hot water.
Three challenges typical of heat pump installation in Spain quickly emerged:
Legacy Building Constraints
Old galvanized pipes with heavy corrosion posed a serious risk to air-to-water heat pump installation, requiring hydraulic system upgrades.
Space, Noise, and Community Restrictions
Balcony space, noise limits, and façade regulations limited outdoor unit placement.
System Integration Uncertainty
The team lacked experience integrating a monobloc heat pump with an existing PV system and optimizing PV-driven operation for Madrid’s climate
SolarEast assembled a dedicated support team and guided the installer through a structured diagnosis–solution–training process.
Using a clear heat pump diagram, our engineers explained system layout and PV–heat pump interaction logic.
Operating parameters such as low-temperature start-up and PV priority operation were calibrated specifically for Madrid, ensuring solar electricity powered the heat pump first.
The pilot project was delivered successfully. Annual energy costs dropped from €1,200 to €550, a 54% reduction, validating the PV + heat pump solution.
Within three months, the installer secured 20+ new heat pump projects, with overall profit margins recovering to above 15%. The company successfully transitioned from a PV-focused installer into an integrated energy solution provider.
Through this journey, SolarEast delivered not only reliable monobloc heat pump products, but also long-term technical empowerment—becoming a trusted partner for heat pump installers in Spain, entering the market.
The collaboration between SolarEast and a Spanish PV installer provides practical insights for heat pump installers in Spain looking to enter or scale up heat pump installation in Spain. Beyond a single project, this case highlights two critical lessons for installers and distributors operating in the Spanish market.
Key Insight: System Understanding > Product-Only Sales
Common mistake among heat pump installers in Spain
Many installers enter heat pump projects with strong sales channels but limited understanding of system integration. In this case, the lack of experience in air-to-water heat pump installation, retrofit compatibility, and PV–heat pump coordination initially created serious execution risks.
What made the difference
SolarEast applied a system-driven approach to heat pump installation in Spain, covering water quality assessment, correct unit selection, compliant layout design, and operating parameter tuning—ensuring stable system performance.
Installer takeaway
Successful heat pump installation in Spain requires a shift from selling equipment to delivering system-level solutions. Installers must understand how heat pumps operate within real local conditions and multi-energy systems.
Key Insight: PV + Heat Pump Integration Is an Upgrade, Not a Restart
Breaking the misconception
For many heat pump installers in Spain, especially those transitioning from PV, existing experience in building energy retrofits, local regulations, and customer management remains fully applicable.
Closing the skills gap
Gaps in air-to-water heat pump installation knowledge can be efficiently addressed through partnerships that provide hands-on technical guidance, installation training, and clear system documentation such as a heat pump diagram.
Long-term value
By combining PV expertise with heat pump system know-how, installers can move beyond single-product sales and position themselves as integrated energy solution providers—better aligned with the long-term growth of heat pump installation in Spain.
At this critical stage of Spain’s energy transition, heat pump installation in Spain is not a short-term trend, but a long-term growth market shaped by policy direction, natural resources, and structural demand. From the continued push toward EU carbon neutrality, to stacked incentives for PV + heat pump systems, and the large-scale retrofit demand from Spain’s aging building stock, multiple forces will continue to drive sustained growth in the heat pump installation sector.
For installers and distributors, capturing this opportunity requires moving beyond a product-only mindset and positioning themselves as system solution providers. This means adapting heat pump solutions to Spain’s diverse regional conditions—such as corrosion resistance in southern coastal areas and reliable low-temperature performance in northern regions—while fully leveraging the synergy between PV and heat pumps to reuse existing channels, teams, and technical experience.
Choosing the right partner also plays a critical role. Working with manufacturers like SolarEast, which offer a mature product portfolio, end-to-end technical support, and localized service capabilities, can significantly lower the entry barrier for installers and accelerate their success in heat pump installation in Spain.
Looking ahead, as Spain’s electrification of heating continues to deepen, heat pumps will become a core component of building energy retrofits, and integrated PV + heat pump solutions will increasingly define the market standard. Installers who focus on local demand, build strong system-level expertise, and develop long-term partnership ecosystems will be best positioned to achieve sustainable growth—creating both commercial value and long-term industry impact in the Spanish heat pump market.
