The Netherlands is committed to adopting environmentally friendly technologies to achieve carbon-neutral targets. One of the increasingly popular technologies is the heat pump in the Netherlands, an important solution for reducing carbon emissions. Heat pumps, known in Dutch as warmtepompen, extract heat energy from the air, soil, or water, then process and distribute it to the home.
Unlike conventional heating systems that burn fuel, heat pumps use renewable energy, which can significantly reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs. Heat pumps have gained popularity due to strong support for sustainability policies implemented by the government.
Heat pumps are one of the key solutions for replacing fossil-fuel-based heating systems. The Netherlands has committed to a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with interim emission reduction targets that have been progressively tightened in line with European Union climate policy. The use of heat pumps is expanding beyond the residential sector to include commercial and industrial applications, and heat pump systems are often integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines.
Contents
- 1 Why Are Heat Pumps in the Netherlands Popular?
- 2 The ISDE Subsidy Scheme
- 3 Heat Pumps and Low-Temperature Heating
- 4 Legom as a Heat Pump Supplier
- 5 The Environmental Impact of Heat Pumps
- 6 Heat Pumps Combined with Other Renewable Energy Sources
- 7 Challenges and Future Prospects
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Heat Pumps in the Netherlands Popular?
Several factors contribute to the rising popularity of heat pumps in the Netherlands. First, the country’s moderate maritime climate makes heat pumps highly efficient, as they perform best in environments with balanced temperatures. Dutch winters rarely reach the extremes where an air-source heat pump loses efficiency, which makes the Netherlands an ideal location for adopting the technology.
Another factor is the Dutch government’s regulations and incentives, which strongly support environmentally friendly technologies. The government has implemented a range of policies aimed at improving environmental sustainability, including subsidies for households and businesses that invest in energy-efficient technology. As a result, heat pumps in the Netherlands have become more affordable and appealing to the public.
Additionally, public awareness of environmental sustainability is high. The Netherlands is known for a strong environmental consciousness, and many households and companies are transitioning to more eco-friendly technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. A combination of a favourable climate, government incentives, and public awareness are the main drivers behind the increasing adoption of heat pumps.
The ISDE Subsidy Scheme
For anyone considering a heat pump in the Netherlands, the ISDE scheme is the most significant practical factor in the decision. ISDE stands for Investeringssubsidie Duurzame Energie en Energiebesparing, the investment subsidy for sustainable energy and energy saving, and it is administered by RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
The scheme provides direct financial support to households and small businesses installing heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and insulation measures. The subsidy amount depends on the type of heat pump and its capacity, and applications are submitted after installation through Mijn RVO.
Two conditions matter more than most people realise, and both catch applicants out regularly:
- The heat pump must appear on the official ISDE equipment list. RVO publishes a list of approved models, and a unit that is not listed does not qualify, regardless of how efficient it actually is.
- Installation must be carried out by a certified professional, and the invoice must meet RVO’s documentation requirements. Incomplete invoices are a common reason for rejection.
Subsidy rates and conditions are revised periodically, so check the current ISDE terms on the RVO website before committing to a purchase. Some municipalities also offer local subsidies that can be combined with the national scheme.
What the Equipment List Means for Suppliers
For manufacturers and distributors, the ISDE equipment list is effectively the gateway to the Dutch residential market. A heat pump that is not listed places the end customer outside the subsidy scheme, which removes a substantial part of the purchase incentive and makes the product difficult to sell against listed competitors. Any supplier planning to enter the Netherlands should treat listing, alongside CE marking and EU Ecodesign compliance, as a prerequisite rather than an afterthought.
Heat Pumps and Low-Temperature Heating
There is a technical point specific to the Dutch housing stock that determines whether a heat pump performs well. A heat pump becomes more efficient the lower the water temperature it needs to produce. A traditional radiator circuit designed for a gas boiler expects water at 70 to 80°C, whereas a heat pump is at its most efficient supplying 35 to 45°C.
This is why heat pump conversions in the Netherlands are so often accompanied by two other measures: improved insulation, which reduces the heat the building needs, and low-temperature heat emitters. Hydronic underfloor heating is the natural partner here, since it distributes heat across a large surface area and therefore performs comfortably at exactly the temperatures a heat pump delivers most efficiently. Larger radiators sized for low-temperature operation achieve a similar result in properties where a floor system is impractical.
A complete low-temperature installation also depends on the distribution components: a manifold to split flow between circuits, thermal actuators for zone control, and a room thermostat in each zone. Getting these right is what turns a correctly sized heat pump into a system that actually delivers the efficiency the specification promised.
Legom as a Heat Pump Supplier
Jiaxing Legom Technology Co., Ltd supplies the Dutch heat pump market with high-quality products to meet growing demand. Alongside products, we provide technical consulting services, which gives partners a clearer path from specification to installation.
Legom manufactures air-source heat pumps (ASHP) in 5kW, 6kW, 9kW, and 16kW capacities, covering apartments and small homes through to larger properties and light commercial applications. All models use DC inverter compressors and R32 refrigerant, which carries a considerably lower global warming potential than the older refrigerants it replaces, and are manufactured to comply with CE certification and EU Ecodesign Regulation 813/2013 for space heaters.
| Capacity | Typical Dutch Application |
|---|---|
| 5kW | Apartments and well-insulated small homes |
| 6kW | Small to mid-sized family homes |
| 9kW | Larger homes or older properties with higher heat loss |
| 16kW | Large properties and light commercial buildings |
Beyond the heat pumps themselves, Legom manufactures the complete range of hydronic components that a low-temperature system requires, which allows distributors to source the heat source and the distribution system from a single manufacturer. Legom is also committed to sustainable operations, using efficient manufacturing processes across its production facility in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province.
The Environmental Impact of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps contribute to environmental sustainability by using naturally available energy from the air, water, or soil for heating and cooling. Because they do not rely on burning fossil fuels at the point of use, they help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.
The efficiency figures explain why. A heat pump can deliver three to four times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes, since it moves existing heat rather than generating it. This reduces overall energy consumption and, in turn, the demand for high-carbon energy sources. In terms of running costs, households replacing an inefficient fossil-fuel system typically see a meaningful reduction, though the exact saving depends on what is being replaced, local electricity and gas prices, and how well the building is insulated.
Heat pumps also reduce local air pollution, as they do not burn fuel directly and therefore do not produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) or sulphur dioxide (SO2) at the property, both common byproducts of gas-based heating.
Heat Pumps Combined with Other Renewable Energy Sources
Heat pumps can be combined with other renewable sources such as solar panels or wind power. When paired with on-site solar generation, a heating system can operate with very low or effectively zero operational carbon emissions, accelerating the transition to clean energy. This combination is particularly common in the Netherlands, where rooftop solar adoption is high, and it improves the economics further by offsetting the electricity the heat pump draws.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite growing adoption, challenges remain. The main obstacle is the relatively high initial installation cost, particularly for a full electric conversion in an older, poorly insulated property where insulation work and emitter upgrades are needed alongside the heat pump itself. Government subsidies and long-term energy savings are what make the numbers work for many households.
Grid capacity is a further consideration in parts of the Netherlands, where network congestion has affected new connections in some regions. This is worth checking early in any larger project rather than at the installation stage.
The outlook nonetheless remains positive, supported by continued subsidy provision, tightening emissions regulation, and steady improvement in heat pump technology. In conclusion, heat pump technology is crucial to providing efficient and eco-friendly heating, and its role in the Netherlands is expected to grow further in the coming years.
“The Dutch market taught us something that applies everywhere: the heat pump is only half the specification. Dutch installers are among the most technically demanding we work with, and the first questions are almost never about the unit itself. They ask what flow temperature the system will run at, what the emitters are, how the zones will be controlled. That is the right order of questions. A heat pump forced to produce seventy-degree water for old radiators will disappoint everyone, no matter whose badge is on it. My advice to any distributor entering this market is to sell the system rather than the box, and to confirm early that your models are listed for subsidy eligibility, because in the Netherlands that listing determines whether a homeowner can realistically buy from you at all.”
— Maggie Shen, Director of Legom
For a comparison with how other cold-climate European markets approach heating, see our articles on how cold the Netherlands is and heat pumps in Europe. Contact the Legom team to discuss capacities, certification, and OEM or ODM options for the Dutch market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What subsidy is available for heat pumps in the Netherlands?
The main national scheme is ISDE, the Investeringssubsidie Duurzame Energie en Energiebesparing, administered by RVO. It provides direct financial support for heat pumps, with the amount depending on the type and capacity of the unit installed. Applications are made after installation through Mijn RVO. Two requirements are essential: the heat pump model must appear on the official ISDE equipment list, and installation must be performed by a certified professional with a compliant invoice. Rates and conditions are revised periodically, and some municipalities offer additional local subsidies, so check current terms before purchasing.
Are heat pumps suitable for the Dutch climate?
Yes, particularly well suited. The Netherlands has a moderate maritime climate with winters that rarely reach the extreme lows at which an air-source heat pump begins to lose significant efficiency. This means a properly sized unit can serve as the primary heat source through the Dutch winter while operating at high efficiency for most of the year. The greater technical challenge in the Netherlands is usually not outdoor temperature but the building itself, since many older properties need insulation improvements and low-temperature emitters to let the heat pump perform as designed.
Why does underfloor heating come up so often with heat pumps?
Because a heat pump becomes more efficient the lower the water temperature it has to produce. Traditional radiators sized for a gas boiler expect water around 70 to 80°C, while a heat pump operates most efficiently at 35 to 45°C. Underfloor heating works comfortably in that lower range because it distributes warmth across the whole floor area rather than a small radiator surface. Pairing the two therefore raises the system’s coefficient of performance and lowers running costs. Where a floor system is impractical, oversized low-temperature radiators achieve a comparable effect.
What types of heat pumps does Legom supply?
Legom manufactures air-source heat pumps (ASHP) in 5kW, 6kW, 9kW, and 16kW capacities, using DC inverter compressors and R32 refrigerant, with CE certification and compliance with EU Ecodesign Regulation 813/2013. Air-source is the most widely installed type in the Netherlands because it requires no ground works and suits the typical Dutch plot. Legom also manufactures the hydronic distribution components that a heat pump system depends on, including manifolds, thermal actuators, floor heating pipe, room thermostats, and HVAC valves, allowing distributors to source a complete system from one manufacturer.
How much can a heat pump reduce energy costs in the Netherlands?
Savings vary considerably depending on the system being replaced, the property’s insulation standard, the flow temperature the system operates at, and the prevailing ratio between electricity and gas prices. A heat pump delivers three to four units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed, which is the source of the saving. Households replacing an older, inefficient fossil-fuel system in a reasonably insulated home generally see the largest reduction, while a poorly insulated property forcing high flow temperatures will see much less. An installer’s calculation based on your specific property is the only reliable way to estimate the figure.
Reviewed by Maggie Shen, Director at Legom, on July 25, 2026. This article on heat pumps in the Netherlands was reviewed for accuracy, including the Legom product range and the ISDE subsidy requirements.