Heat Pump Applications in Multi-Family Buildings: A Comparative Analysis of Theoretical Concepts and Real-World Installations
The deployment of heat pumps in multi-family houses (MFHs) is gaining strategic relevance in the context of the energy transition and increasing requirements for energy efficiency in the building sector. Historically, heat pumps have been predominantly applied in new single-family homes. However, recent technological advancements and refined system configurations now allow for economically and technically viable applications in MFHs, both in new developments and retrofit scenarios. Despite growing evidence from numerous international case studies demonstrating successful heat pump installations in apartment buildings, widespread adoption remains limited. The barriers to broader implementation are multifaceted, involving both technical constraints and administrative challenges. Within the framework of the HPT IEA projects Annex 50 and Annex 62, a comprehensive evaluation of possible heat pump applications in MFHs has been conducted. Various system concepts were systematically assessed across technical, economic, and operational dimensions. This contribution presents key outcomes from the IEA studies, compares theoretical design approaches with real-world implementations, and identifies pathways for scaling heat pump adoption in the multifamily housing sector.