ACR Journal

October | November 2020 HEAT PUMPS 36 Volume 6 No.6 Daikin Europe has identified Italy heat pump installation scheme as the blueprint for other countries seeking to combine the decarbonisation of homes with sustainable economic growth.  The Superbonus forms a key part of Italy’s Covid-19 recovery plan, which combines economic growth with the decarbonisation of residential homes. A tax credit for energy efficiency work carried out by homeowners (the ‘Ecobonus’) has been around for some time, but in July this year the Italian government decided to expand the scope of this existing initiative.  Daikin says it welcomes Italy’s commitment to introduce heat pumps in every part of society and believes this will provide a promising blueprint for other governments trying to bring about a ‘green’ recovery in the post-Covid-19 world. Patrick Crombez, General Manager Daikin Europe Heating and Renewables, said: “We welcome Italy’s support for carbon- neutral heating in residential homes. Daikin’s heat pumps are made in Europe and have massive sustainability benefits, ensuring that they are ideal for boosting the European economy and shifting the A blueprint for growth Daikin says the Superbonus scheme available in Italy is an example of what is needed for heat pumps to go mainstream. continent towards carbon neutrality. Heat pumps are ready for prime time, and this initiative will help consumers see that heat pumps are a viable option for new buildings and a replacement for fossil-fuel boilers.” How does the Superbonus scheme work? When purchasing a heat pump or another green energy source, Italians receive a refund from the government on the purchase price of their heating system. More specifically, consumers are granted a 110% refund on the purchase price of their heating system via five annual tax breaks. For consumers who prefer an immediate payback, the Superbonus also gives Italians the option to: • Receive a discount of up to 100% on the purchase price of a heating system directly via the installer of the system, who in turn becomes the new bearer of the credit (and can apply for tax breaks) • Receive a refund of up to 100% via a “credit pass” to the installer of the heating system, a bank, or another 3rd party (in this case the credit is sold or passed to a new bearer)  The financial benefits of the Superbonus are encouraging Italians to install heat pumps, giving consumers easier access to sustainable and efficient heating, while the increased popularity of heat pumps and other sustainable heating systems (e.g. solar panels) means that the government is cutting the carbon output of Italy’s residential sector and reducing the country’s dependency on fossil fuels. In the long term it is hoped that the payback plan will help make sustainable energy solutions the new norm in Italy.  Daikin has 14 production facilities in Europe and the manufacturer believes the technology is now ready to ‘go mainstream’. Patrick Crombez of Daikin Europe Daikin heat pumps are manufactured in 14 European production facilities