Recent industry analyses from FEGECA, the association of heat generators and emitters manufacturers, indicate a steady expansion in the heating sector over the past few years. After a pandemic-related pause, recovery picked up in 2021 and carried through 2022, supported by a recovering global economy and policy incentives within recovery plans. Yet the sector also faced hurdles, including energy supply challenges, rising material costs, and gaps in components that slowed progress at times.
In 2022, the sector finished with a turnover of 1,036 million euros, marking a 15% year-on-year rise. The forward outlook for 2023 remains cautiously optimistic, underscored by the ongoing push toward decarbonization and the growing need for qualified installers to meet new standards and demand.
These shifting conditions have driven a renewal wave across systems and professionals. What appears to be a challenge at first glance can become a meaningful opportunity, as demand for services is projected to rise. In this environment, tools like Chronoshare empower industry experts to broaden their customer portfolios and reach more clients.
Chronoshare is a marketplace that connects clients seeking services with professionals seeking new work. The model is straightforward: customers submit a free service request, which is routed to professionals registered on the platform. If a professional is interested, they can unlock the client’s contact information using the platform’s virtual currency, cronos.
In 2022, the platform logged nearly 15,000 requests related to air conditioning, heating, and related systems, with almost 11,000 additional requests already recorded in 2023. This activity highlights the platform’s role in facilitating service matching in a dynamic market.
The European Union and sustainability: The decarbonization challenge
Fossil-fuel heating systems contribute substantial CO2 emissions annually. According to Celia Arroyo, a member of Chronoshare’s marketing team who focuses on installations and renewals, a notable share of homes still rely on natural gas, oil, or coal, driving greenhouse gas totals higher than desirable.
The European Commission has signaled a shift toward emissions-free heating in new buildings by 2028. The European Parliament has approved a directive to phase out fossil-fuel heating, including gas and diesel boilers, with a complete removal anticipated between 2035 and 2040. The directive also proposes eliminating state incentives for such boilers starting in 2024, steering support toward sustainable, efficient heating through subsidies and tax incentives.
Among the key sustainable options are heat pumps, solar thermal systems, photovoltaic energy, and biomass. The FEGECA report notes a clear move toward these technologies, with aerothermal systems showing strong growth. Domestic hot water heat pumps rose by 51%, while overall heat pump adoption increased by 48% in 2022. The cost of installing these systems remains a barrier for some households, potentially slowing the transition from fossil fuels to green heating.
Still, Europe’s door remains open to continued evolution as long as boilers can run on renewable fuels such as green hydrogen. The benefits of leveraging existing gas networks alongside new hydrogen capabilities are acknowledged, but opinions vary, with some experts arguing that hydrogen production can be inefficient and costly, and that gas distribution infrastructure is not always ready for this transition.
Lack of qualified workforce in the heating industry
REPowerEU targets create fresh opportunities for Europe’s heating sector. A 2022 report by the European Heating Industry Association (EHI) suggests installer numbers must grow by as much as 50% by 2030 to meet ambitious goals. This surge underscores the need to attract young people into the field and to provide robust training for those already working in heating.
Existing installers will also need to adapt to the new landscape, gaining the knowledge to work with heat pumps and other more sustainable technologies. The FEGECA report identifies essential new competencies for heating professionals: digitalization, hybridization, electrification, system optimization, refrigerants, and decarbonized gases.
Another crucial piece is digital presence. For professionals seeking to seize opportunities in the heating sector, visibility on the internet is increasingly important—whether through their own websites or through platforms like Chronoshare. A strong online footprint helps connect qualified installers with potential clients, accelerating growth and market reach in a competitive environment. In sum, the convergence of decarbonization goals, workforce development, and digital transformation is reshaping how heating services are delivered and marketed across Europe and beyond (Celia Arroyo, FEGECA, and EHI reports).