Italy Introduces New Energy Consumption Rules for Building Envelopes and HVAC Systems ITALY: From 3 June 2026, Italy’s new energy efficiency requirements under Ministerial Decree 28/10/2025 have become mandatory, affecting the design and installation of building envelopes, HVAC systems and renewable energy solutions. The updated rules require a more integrated approach combining insulation, ventilation, air tightness, system controls and renewable energy generation. Greater e

Heat Recovery Remains an Untapped Opportunity as Italian Regions Struggle to Invest ITALY: An industry commentary has highlighted the significant but underutilised potential of waste heat recovery in Italy, particularly as energy security concerns intensify following disruptions in global energy markets. The article notes that up to 9.5 TWh of thermal energy could be recovered annually from sources such as data centres, enough to heat around 800,000 households. However, limit

BRG is pleased to announce the recent publication of the 2026 Heating market reports for its tiers 1 countries. BRG reports provide an in-depth overview of the most recent developments in the Heating markets in several European countries, including market trends, price developments, sales per sector, supply structure, and distribution patterns. European HVAC Market: 2025 Developments Across European HVAC markets, 2025 was marked by weak construction activity, policy uncertain

Ireland Urges Homeowners to Apply for Energy Upgrade Grants IRELAND: Thousands of Irish homeowners are being encouraged to apply for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants of up to approximately US$9,250 (€8,000) to improve home energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. The grants support measures such as attic, wall and floor insulation, heat pumps, solar panels, windows, doors and ventilation systems. SEAI said the upgrades can make homes “more comfortable,

Brazil Faces Shortage of Refrigeration Technicians as HVAC-R Market Expands BRAZIL: Brazil is experiencing a growing shortage of qualified refrigeration and air conditioning technicians as demand rises across supermarkets, hospitals, industries, commercial buildings and data centers. According to ABRAVA, the HVAC-R sector generated approximately US$9.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$10.1 billion in 2026. Installation and maintenance services grew by 20.7% in 202

Cyprus Accelerates Heat Pump Adoption to Cut Household Energy Consumption CYRUS: Heating and cooling account for around 70% of household energy consumption in Cyprus, according to a European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) report. The study highlights Cyprus’ cooling-dominated climate, with cooling demand significantly exceeding the EU average. Renewable sources currently provide about 43% of heating and cooling energy, yet nearly 150,000 households (39% of homes) stil

GALVANY Raises US$11.6 Million to Scale Heat Pump Platform Across Germany GERMANY: Berlin-based GALVANY Energy GmbH has secured approximately US$11.6 million in seed funding to accelerate the expansion of its heat pump platform for Germany’s multi-family residential sector. Led by SET Ventures with participation from AENU, the funding will support the rollout of GALVANY’s integrated solution covering heat pump acquisition, installation, operation and optimisation. Founded in

Grant Invests US$9.3 Million to Expand Irish Manufacturing and Heat Pump Solutions IRELAND: Sustainable home heating manufacturer Grant has announced a US$9.3 million investment in its Irish manufacturing operations, expanding production capacity and introducing a new Quick Recovery hot water cylinder range. Manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Birr, Co. Offaly, the cylinders are designed to work with Grant’s Aerona R290 air source heat pump, providing an integrated

China Unveils Five Year Urban Renewal Plan to Modernize Cities by 2030 CHINA: China has announced an ambitious urban renewal strategy under its 15th Five-Year Plan, prioritizing the renovation of unsafe housing, ageing residential communities, urban villages, and historic buildings through 2030. The initiative also includes upgrading parks, sports facilities, underground utility networks, emergency shelters, and accelerating the digitalization of urban housing infrastructure.

LG Electronics Overtakes Japanese Rivals in Taiwan’s Premium Appliance Market TAIWAN: LG Electronics has strengthened its leadership in Taiwan’s premium appliance market, securing top positions in categories including air conditioner, washing machines, TVs, Stylers, dehumidifiers and air purifiers. The company’s success has been driven by innovative, localized products tailored to Taiwan’s humid climate, compact living spaces and rising energy costs. Heat pump-enabled applian

Nordic Climate Group Expands UK Presence with Acquisition of Kool It Services UNITED KINGDOM: Nordic Climate Group has strengthened its position in the UK market through the acquisition of Manchester-based Kool It Services Ltd, a provider of cooling and heating installation, service and maintenance solutions for commercial buildings. Founded in 1972, Kool It has built a strong regional presence through long-standing customer relationships, technical expertise and a reputation

TOTO Ceramics Division: Semiconductors Displace Bathrooms as Profit Source Japan: TOTO, announced that its semiconductor ceramics business has become the company’s largest profit contributor, surpassing its core housing-equipment segment. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, the advanced ceramics division generated USD 182 million in operating profit, accounting for more than half of the company’s record USD 339 million group operating profit, while maintaining an operat

JD MALL Expands Hong Kong Presence with First Wan Chai Store and Multi-Store Growth Plan China: JD announced that its first JD MALL store in Hong Kong will officially open in Wan Chai on June 18. The 30,000-square-foot store will offer large and small home appliances, mobile digital products, and newer categories such as smart bathroom products, massage equipment, and whole-home cleaning appliances, operating under a “local sourcing, local sales” model. As part of its Hong Ko

Moderno Home Depot Expands Philippine Footprint Amid Rising Demand for Smart Home Solutions Philippines: Moderno Home Depot is expanding its presence across the Philippines, with a new showroom in Cebu City scheduled to open in the third quarter, adding to its existing branches in Bulacan, Laguna, Quezon City, and Davao City. The expansion comes as demand for connected living solutions continues to rise, with global household penetration of smart home products projected to ex

Busan Secures AI-Based HVAC Infrastructure Project to Strengthen Global Competitiveness South Korea: Busan has secured the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s 2026 Regional Strategic Industry Infrastructure Upgrade Project for its “Global Market-Responsive AI-Based HVAC Component Performance Evaluation Infrastructure Upgrade Project,” aimed at enhancing testing, certification, and export competitiveness for the HVAC machinery and parts industry. Running from 2026 to 2028

Howdens to Acquire DIY Kitchens for Approximately USD 529 Million to Expand Direct-to-Consumer Reach UK.: Howdens has agreed to acquire the parent company of DIY Kitchens for an enterprise value of approximately USD 529 million on a cash and debt-free basis, comprising about USD 397 million in cash and USD 132 million in Howdens shares. The acquisition will provide Howdens with direct access to non-trade consumers through DIY Kitchens’ online-only, vertically integrated busin

TOTO Fully Resumes Orders for Prefabricated Bathrooms Following Raw Material Supply Recovery Japan: TOTO will fully resume accepting new orders for prefabricated and modular bathrooms from Tuesday, ending restrictions that were introduced earlier this year after the Iran war disrupted supplies of naphtha-derived material. The company stated that it is returning to normal delivery schedules as the outlook for raw material supplies has improved and upgrades to its ordering syst

Midea Group Shifts Focus to Organic Growth and Shareholder Returns China: Midea Group Chairman Fang Hongbo announced at the company’s annual shareholder meeting that the company will avoid major mergers and acquisitions and large-scale capital expenditure over the next three years, with net profits primarily returned to shareholders. The strategic shift marks a move away from decades of acquisition-led expansion toward organic growth, while the company continues to explore po

UK Ceramics Industry Seeks Support Amid Rising Energy Costs UK: The ceramics industry in the United Kingdom has raised concerns over rising energy costs, policy-related expenses and weakening demand across several end-use sectors, warning that these pressures are affecting manufacturers throughout the supply chain. Represented by Ceramics UK, the sector includes producers of bricks, sanitary ware, refractories, healthcare components, aerospace materials and other industrial p

Clerici Group Targets EUR 1 Billion Revenue Milestone Italy: The Clerici Group, an Italy-based distributor of plumbing and heating products, bathroom furnishings, flooring and wall coverings, is targeting revenue of more than EUR 1 billion (USD 1.14 billion; EUR 1 billion) by 2026. The company reported revenue of EUR 863 million (USD 984 million; EUR 863 million) in 2025, representing an increase of 7.6% compared with the previous year. The group’s growth strategy is centred

Bay Area Moves Towards Heat Pump Water Heaters USA: Homeowners across the nine-county Bay Area in California, United States, may be required to replace failed gas water heaters with electric heat pump models under new regulations introduced by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The measures, which are scheduled to take effect next year, form part of efforts to reduce emissions from buildings. Under the proposed rules, many households would no longer be able to inst

Tariffs Push Up HVAC Equipment Costs in Canada Canada: Heating and cooling equipment prices in Canada are rising as tariffs on steel and aluminium increase manufacturing and import costs across the HVAC industry. Industry participants reported that the cost of products such as furnaces, central air conditioners and storage water heaters has increased by approximately 20% to 30%, with the higher costs largely being passed on to end users. The impact is being felt most strongly

Qvantum Appoints Managing Director for France Expansion France: Qvantum has appointed Ghislain Bouillet as Managing Director for France as part of its expansion plans in the country. France is currently the largest heat pump market in Europe, supported by electrification initiatives, energy security measures and renovation programmes. The appointment forms part of Qvantum’s strategy to expand its presence across Europe and strengthen its activities in the heat pump sector. In

Sarajevo Advances District Heating Heat Pump Project Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has secured EUR 0.5 million (USD 0.57 million; EUR 0.5 million) in grant funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the development of a heat pump project for the canton’s district heating system. The funding will be used to procure consultancy services for the main project related to the gas pipeline transmission syste